Guide to

MIS Success

Department of Management Information Systems

School of Business AdministrationUniversity of Montana

Missoula, Montana

2016-2017

Table of ContentsMission Statement.......................................................................................................................1

MIS Learning Outcomes.............................................................................................................1

School of Business Administration............................................................................................1

SoBA Learning Outcomes..........................................................................................................1

What Is Management Information Systems?...........................................................................2

How Does MIS Differ from Computer Science and Computer Technology Programs?. 2

Characteristics of MIS Graduates..........................................................................................3

MIS Majors are not Computer Programmers or Computer Technicians (unless they WANT to be!)............................................................................................................................3

Employment in MIS Fields..........................................................................................................4

Jobs Titles in IS........................................................................................................................5

Required Courses....................................................................................................................6

Selecting Electives...................................................................................................................8

Internship..................................................................................................................................9

Certificate Programs....................................................................................................................9

Documenting Your Learning.....................................................................................................11

The Power of Experience..........................................................................................................12

Student Organization.................................................................................................................13

Staying In Touch........................................................................................................................13

Developing Your Exit Strategy.................................................................................................14

Advice to Students from Our Graduates.................................................................................15

Mission Statement

The mission of the Management Information Systems Department is to provide service courses in MIS, quantitative analysis, operations management, and business law, and to equip MIS graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to: (1) apply information systems and technology in an organization; (2) work effectively as an individual, a team member, and a leader; and (3) communicate clearly and effectively within the MIS team and the organization.

MIS Learning Outcomes

1. MIS graduates will demonstrate command of the technical skills appropriate for the MIS major.

2. MIS graduates will be able to analyze complex organizational problems.3. MIS graduates will be able to design appropriate technological solutions for

organizational problems.4. MIS graduates will be able to develop technological solutions that address

organizational problems.5. MIS graduates will work competently as part of a team or in a leadership role.

School of Business AdministrationThe University of Montana's School of Business Administration enhances lives and benefits society by providing world-class business education in a supportive, collegial environment.

We accomplish this mission by acting on our shared core values of creating significant experiences, building relationships, teaching and researching relevant topics, behaving ethically, and inspiring individuals to thrive.

SoBA Learning Outcomes

1. SoBA graduates will possess fundamental business knowledge.2. SoBA graduates will be able to integrate business knowledge.3. SoBA graduates will be effective communicators.4. SoBA graduates will possess problem-solving skills.5. SoBA graduates will have an ethical awareness.6. SoBA graduates will be proficient users of technology.7. SoBA graduates will understand the global business environment in which they

operate.

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What Is Management Information Systems?The study area of MIS is a relatively new field that facilitates the relationships between information, technology, people, the organization, and society. The MIS curriculum at The University of Montana prepares students to manage an organization's information resources. The major focuses on:

analyzing and managing the flows of information within and across the organization's business processes;

managing the acquisition and utilization of information technology; and using both information and technology to enhance the organization's business

operations, processes, strategic advantage, and extract as much value as possible out of the business processes.

Information systems are a part of all organizational functions, including accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and human resource management.

How Does MIS Differ from Computer Science and Computer Technology Programs?

Most computer science (CS) programs focus on software engineering and require more study in mathematics than is required in most MIS programs. CS students are prepared to write complicated scientific programs and to develop sophisticated systems software. Most MIS curricula, on the other hand, prepare students to develop business applications and to solve business problems.

Computer technology (CT) programs typically emphasize the hardware aspect of computing. Students learn to install, maintain, and troubleshoot technological hardware such as systems units, printers, cables, hubs, routers, and other peripherals.

Management information systems, computer science, and computer technology programs overlap in some of the content, but the fundamental focus of each discipline is different, as shown in Figure 1. As an MIS professional, you may find yourself competing with majors from other disciplines for entry-level jobs, but most MIS majors, after gaining some experience, move into jobs that focus on the management of the firm’s information resources.

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Computer Science: Focus on Software Programming languages Computer architecture Operating systems Data structures Algorithms Networks Web development

Computer Technology: Focus on Hardware PC service and support Networking infrastructure Routing and switching Intro. to programming Systems analysis Project management Web development

Management Information Systems: Focus on Business Systems Business application development Systems analysis and design Database management Strategic application of technology Project management Web development Electronic commerce Network management Consulting

Figure 1: Differences between MIS and other computer disciplines

Characteristics of MIS Graduates

Effective team members / leaders Persuasive communicatorsUnderstand technology Know best business practices

Lifelong learners Strategic thinkersAnalytical problem-solvers Experienced with actual projects

Ethical citizens of the organization Able to apply IT to business problems

MIS Majors are not Computer Programmers or Computer Technicians (unless they WANT to be!)

A common comment from students considering an MIS major is “I don’t know anything about computers.” The management information systems major is NOT about computers in the way that accounting is not about Quickbooks or that finance is not about knowing how an ATM works. For those MIS students more interested in the technology angle, knowing about computers will be interesting and useful to them, and we have a track of courses suited to those students. Many, if not most, MIS graduates will never physically touch the technology they manage, except for using the keyboard.

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Employment in MIS FieldsFor MIS graduates the outlook for 2016-2017 is brighter than for most all other majors, with graduates of MIS-related programs now among the most desired new hires in all areas of the country. Excellent sources of current information about the future of MIS-related jobs can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics or O*NET OnLine.

The nationwide average starting salary for a B. S. degree in Management Information Systems in 2016 was $60,000, the highest of all business majors.1 Salary figures vary considerably in different parts of the country and for different job titles. Some selected median (not starting) salaries are:

Big data analyst $75,560Business intelligence analyst $81,140

Computer and information systems manager $120,950

Computer programmer $74,280Computer support specialist $48,900Database administrator $77,080Information security analyst $86,140Information systems analyst $79,680MIS consultant $78,600Network and computer systems administrator $72,560Web developer $62,500

Many top graduates from the University of Montana MIS program take jobs as information systems consultants with international firms. The field of technical consulting services is one of the fastest growing industries and one of the highest paying. Consultants seeking international experience are posted in various places around the globe. UM is now a Top-10 Recruiting School for KPMG Advisory, MIS students have been recently placed with KPMG in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Chicago.

1 NACE, National Association of Colleges and Employers, www.naceweb.org.

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Jobs Titles in IS2

Business Analysts help an organization improve how it conducts its functions and activities in order to reduce overall costs, provide more efficient use of resources, and better support customers. They introduce the notion of process orientation, of concentrating on and rethinking end-to-end activities that create value for customers, while removing unnecessary, non-value added work.

Big Data Analysts work with very large datasets that may include structured or unstructured data which may be in a database or may be arriving at high velocity and high volume. This is a relatively new occupation.

Consultants are experienced individuals that are trained to analyze and advise a client in order to help the client make the best possible choices. New graduates can be hired into these positions and trained much as an apprentice is trained.

Systems Analysts tie together hardware and software to give an organization the maximum benefit from its investment in machines, personnel, and business processes. To do this, they may design entirely new systems or add a single new software application to harness more of the computer’s power.

Computer and Information Systems Managers direct the work of systems analysts, computer programmers, and other computer-related workers. They analyze the computer and information needs of their organization and determine personnel and equipment requirements. These managers plan and coordinate activities such as the installation and upgrading of hardware and software, programming and systems design, the development of computer networks, and the implementation of Internet and Intranet sites.

Computer Support Specialists provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and users. This group of occupations includes workers with a variety of titles, such as technical support specialists and help-desk technicians.

Database Administrators determine ways to organize and store data and work with database management systems software.

Network or Computer Systems Administrators install, configure, and support an organization’s LAN, WAN, network segment, or Internet system. They maintain network hardware and software, analyze problems, and monitor the network to ensure availability to system users.

Programmers write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions, called programs or software that computers must follow to perform their functions. These programs tell the computer what to do, such as which information to identify and access, how to process it, and what equipment to use.

Project Managers are responsible for accomplishing the stated project objectives. Key project management responsibilities include creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements and schedules, and managing the constraints, risks, and resources of the project.

Web Developers are responsible for day-to-day website design and creation.Webmasters are responsible for the technical aspects of the website, including performance issues such as speed of access, and for approving site content.

2 Descriptions for the job titles are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Wikipedia.

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Required CoursesFor a Management Information Systems Major

The MIS program is based upon a nationally endorsed master curriculum. In addition to the core classes that all business majors take, students in the MIS major will take all six required classes and two elective MIS classes (6 credits, C- or better in each course). Students taking ACTG 321 for an elective must also take the ACTG 203 co requisite course. See the requirements in the current UM course catalog .

MAJOR REQUIREMENTSLOWER PRIMARY CORE (LPC)

Students must earn a C- or better in each LPC course and have a 2.0 LPC GPA and a minimum of 60 credits to be admitted to a business major.

Required Courses* Credits WRIT 101 College Writing I 3 Approved Math Course – M 115/121/151/162 (Prereq to ACTG 202) 3-4 Approved Statistics Course – STAT 216/SOCI 202/PSYX 222/FORS 201 3-4 BMIS 270 MIS Foundations for Business 3 ECNS 201S Prin. of Microeconomics 3 #ACTG 201 Prin. of Financial ACTG (Prereq to ACTG 202) 3 #ACTG 202 Prin. of Managerial ACTG 3 SUBTOTAL 21-23#Minimum grade of C in ACTG 201 and 202 as a prereqs to ACTG 321

LOWER SECONDARY CORE (LSC) ***Students are advised to complete the LSC in the freshman/sophomore years.

Required Courses Credits COMX 111A Introduction to Public Speaking 3 CSCI 172 Intro. to Comp. Modeling (Prereq to BMGT 322) 3 ECNS 202S* Prin. of Macroeconomics 3 BGEN 220E Business Ethics & Social Responsibility 3 SUBTOTAL 12

UPPER CORE*** Required Courses Term Credits BFIN 322 Business Finance F,Sp,Su 3 BGEN 361 Business Law F,Sp 3 BMGT 322 Operations Management F,Sp,Su 3 BMGT 340 Mgmt & Org Behavior F,Sp 3 BMKT 325 Principles of Marketing F,Sp,Su 3 SUBTOTAL 15

CAPSTONERequired Courses Term Credits BGEN 499 Strategic Management F,Sp,Su 3***Required: Senior major in business status with all lower secondary core and upper-core classes completed with a “C-” or better and a graduation application approved by SoBA Advising & Admissions Office prior to taking the capstone. EITHER THE FIRST OR SECOND SEMESTER OF STUDENT’S SENIOR YEAR. Capstone must be taken at UM.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS MAJORRequired Courses Term Credits BMIS 365 Business Applications Develop. F,Sp 3 BMIS 370* Managing Information & Data F,Sp 3 BMIS 372 Info Infrastructures: Strategic Persp F 3 BMIS 373 Bus. Systems Analysis and Design F, Sp 3 BMIS 476* Integrated Project Management F,Sp 3 BMIS 498 IS Internship OR IS 495 Practicum F,Sp,Su 3Plus two courses (6 credits) of the following:____ BMIS 326 Introduction to Data Analysis F, Sp 3____ BMIS 391 Special Topics 3-6 BMIS 465 Real-Time Data Analytics Sp 3 BMIS 471 Fundamentals of Network & Security MGMT F 3 BMIS 472* Advanced Network & Security MGMT Sp 3 BMIS 478 Electronic Commerce Sp 3 BMIS 479 Introduction to Consulting F, Sp 3 BMIS 491 Special Topics 3-6

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BMIS 492 Independent Study F,Sp,Su 3-6 BMKT 460 Marketing of High Tech Products Sp 3 ACTG 321 Accounting Information Systems F,Sp 3 CSCI 135^ Fund of Computer Science I 3 CSCI 136^ Fund of Computer Science II 3-6 CSCI 448 Pattern Recognition 3 CSCI 464 Big Data Mining 3 C&I 341* Information Mgmt and Design 3 EDU 472* Adv. Technology & Supervision 3 M 461 Practical Big Data Analysis 3 STAT 451 Statistical Methods 3 SUBTOTAL 24*Check below for prerequisites on all asterisked courses^Note: Taking these courses may result need to take additional upper-division credits to meet 39 upper-division credits requirement for

graduationTOTAL Required for MIS Major 75 - 77

Additional requirements for all UM Business Students: General Education Requirements must be completed. At least 54 credits must be earned in Business classes. (ECNS courses may be counted in OR out of Business.) At least 60 credits must be earned outside of SoBA. At least 39 credits must be earned in upper-division courses. At least 120 credits are required to graduate. At least 30 credits of the last 45 credits must be taken at UM. 27 credits in business AND certain business classes (including BGEN 499 and BMIS 476) must be taken at UM. Pass SoBA Major Field Test. 2.0 GPA overall at UM, in business, and in the major.

*Pre-requisites for MIS Courses: BMIS 365 is a prerequisite for BMIS 370 BMIS 365, BMIS 370, and BMIS 373 are prerequisites for BMIS 476 BMIS 471 is a prerequisite for BMIS 472 STAT 216, BMIS 365 or equivalents are prerequisites for BMIS 465

Management Information Recommended ScheduleCredit

sFirst Semester (15 credits)

3 BMIS 365 Business App Development3 BMIS 372 Information Infrastructures (Fall Only) or

BMIS 373 Business System Analysis & Design 3 BFIN 322 Business Finance3 BGEN 361 Business Law 3 Non-Business Electives

Credits

Second Semester (15 credits)

3 BMIS 370 Managing Information and Data (Prereq., BMIS 365)3 BMIS 372 Information Infrastructures (Fall Only) or

BMIS 373 Business System Analysis & Design 3 BMGT 322 Operations Management3 BMGT 340 Management & Organization Behavior3 Non-Business Electives

Credits

Third Semester (15 credits)

3 BMIS 476 Integrated Project Management (Prereq., BMIS 365, 370,

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and 373)3 MIS Elective - Consult faculty advisor for a class 3 BMKT 325 Principles of Marketing3 Non-Business Electives3 Non-Business Electives

Credits

Fourth Semester (15 credits)

3 BMIS 498 Internship (may be done in the summer)3 MIS Elective - Consult faculty advisor for a class 3 BGEN 499 Strategic Management (Prereq., Upper Core)3 Non-Business Electives 3 Business or Non-Business Electives

Selecting Electives

You can significantly improve your job prospects by carefully choosing your electives. There are courses both inside and outside of the School of Business Administration that will help prepare you for your entry-level job and the careers those jobs grow to become. Below are useful electives for a variety of MIS tracks.

Work closely with your advisor to choose MIS and general electives that will supplement your required courses and provide you with the background necessary for the career of your choice.

“I Like To” Track Skillsets Electives Certification or Minor

Code, create apps Development (programming, software customization)

Programming, database management, understanding APIs

CSCI 135, CSCI 136

CS minor

Help people solve problems around IT, work with people

Consulting (business analyst, compliance assessment)

Ask good questions, SaaS, understand APIs, speaking in front of others

BMIS 479, ACTG 321

AIS certificate

Manage projects, work with people, manage details, lead groups

Project management

Teamwork/management, finance, negotiation, business/accounting

BMIS 471, BMIS 479

PM certification

Work with data, business intelligence, gather business insights from data

Data analytics Statistical analysis, data cleansing, data visualization, data modeling

BMIS 326, BMIS 465

Data analytics certificate

Digital marketing Digital marketing E-commerce BMIS 478, BMKT 460

Digital marketing certificate

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Work hands-on with technology

Cybersecurity (network manager, fraud detection)

IT service management

BMIS 471, BMIS 472

MCSE or CISSP certification

InternshipIdeally, your internship should be taken the summer between your junior and senior year. Please make an appointment with the department chairperson to make sure that you are academically prepared for your internship, that the internship involves real MIS work, and that you will have a mentor who can guide you in the technical aspects of your work. For your appointment, you will need an unofficial copy of your transcript and a job description prepared by your employer.

Students find internships in a wide variety of industries and companies, including some non-profit organizations. Be sure to sign up with Griz eRecruiting to find out about posted internships. Some students arrange internships with previous or current employers. Students do a wide variety of MIS tasks in their internships, including web page design and maintenance, database design and maintenance, social networking site creation, computer support, program testing, network security and support, project management tasks, and user requirements development.

Certificate ProgramsAnother way to increase your visibility is through the certification process. Professional certifications are available for nearly every specialty in the MIS area and are used by some companies as a filter for the resumes flooding their hiring processes.

Our networking classes provide a starting point for preparing for the series of MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) exams. The College of Technology offers classes leading to Cisco certification. For programmers, Brainbench Java 2 certification is useful. A certification in Project Management is also widely available.

Big Data Analytics CertificateIn addition to certifications offered by professional organizations, SoBA offers academic certification programs that are interdisciplinary in nature. They are professionally designated certificates. Students from all over the university may take certificates, but the cornerstone and capstone classes for the certificates are offered by the MIS Department. Students must complete a degree program at UM, complete the certificate application, and pay the fee for the certificate. Courses must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

RequiredBMIS 326 Introduction to Data AnalyticsBMIS 482 Big Data Projects or M 467 Data Analytics Projects

Electives (take two)BMIS 465 Real-Time Data AnalyticsBMKT 440 Marketing AnalyticsCSCI 444 Data VisualizationCSCI 447 Machine LearningCSCI 448 Pattern RecognitionCSCI 464 Applications of Mining Data

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CSCI 480 Applied Parallel Computing TechniquesCSCI 564 Applications of Mining Big DataCSCI 580 Parallel Computing

Other Electives Requires PrerequisitesM 461 Practical Big Data AnalysisM 462 Theoretical Big Data Analytics

Accounting Information Systems (AIS) CertificateDesigned primarily for MIS and Accounting majors, the Accounting Information Systems (AIS) Certificate helps students continue their studies in preparation for the following professional certificates: CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), and CITP (Certified Information Technology Professional.

MIS students must complete the requirements for the MIS major, meet with Dr. David Firth, complete the certificate application, pay the fee, and complete the following courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better:

RequiredACTG 203 Accounting LabACTG 305 Corporate Reporting IACTG 306 Corporate Reporting IIACTG 321 (co-req of ACTG 203) Accounting Information Systems IACTG 411 Auditing I (pre-req ACTG 321 and ACTG 306)BMIS 365 Business Application DevelopmentBMIS 370 Managing Information and DataBMIS 373 Business System Analysis & DesignBMIS 479 Introduction to Consulting

Digital Marketing CertificateSoBA also offers the Digital Marketing Certificate, which is designed to bridge the gap between the fields of marketing and MIS. Students will acquire skills in the areas of online and social media marketing and in e-commerce. To receive the Digital Marketing Certificate, MIS students must complete the requirements for the MIS major, meet with Dr. Clay Looney or Dr. Emily Plant, complete the DMC application, and complete the following courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better:

RequiredBMIS 372 Information InfrastructuresBMIS 373 Business System Analysis & DesignBMIS 478 E-Commerce: A Managerial PerspectiveBMKT 342 Marketing ResearchBMKT 343 Integrated Marketing CommunicationsBMKT 420 Integrated Online MarketingBMKT 460 Marketing High-Tech Products & Innovation

MIS Electives (take one)BMIS 365 Business Application DevelopmentBMIS 370 Managing Information and DataBMIS 479 Introduction to Consulting

Outside SoBAFORS 250 Intro to GIS for Forest ManagementGPHY 284 Intro to GIS and Cartography

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MAR 101 Intro to Media ArtsMAR 102 Digital Technology in the ArtsMAR 111 Integrated Digital ArtMAR 341 Intro to Web Design

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Documenting Your LearningAll MIS students should prepare a portfolio of their MIS work. One of the major advantages of preparing a personal portfolio of your work is that you can use the material to prepare a web page showcasing your work for your job search. The online portfolio can be used to demonstrate to prospective employers that you have acquired the skills necessary for employment and that you are ready to hit the ground running. Portfolios should include:

Writing samples Video clips of your presentations Examples of the “deliverables” from each of your MIS courses Completed projects, including your senior project Examples of anonymous peer evaluations from team members Reflective essays examining your learning from selected projects or

assignments and summarizing how your collection of business and general electives prepares you for an MIS career

Résumé and an example cover letter

Don’t forget to include your class projects on your résumé as evidence of your ability to get a project done.

Career counselors recommend that students write a resume early in their college career that reflects their ideal resume, the one you’d like to have when you graduate.  It becomes a planning document, to help you acquire the types of experience that you will need in order to achieve that ideal resume by graduation.  Employers look for new hires with good technical skills, real-world experience, and strong communication skills as well as those who are honest, ethical, capable of effectively working on a team, and have demonstrated leadership ability.  Your “dream” resume becomes the road map you can use to make sure you’ve accumulated the right experiences by the time you complete your degree. 

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The Power of ExperienceHiring organizations prefer candidates with experience such as internships or related part-time jobs.  To employers, a student with related experience is someone who has proven she knows how to apply what she has learned in school; she knows how to work and produce results as well as how to work with others and manage her time.  Students who have acquired practical experience prior to graduation are more likely to land great jobs.  They have also begun developing their professional network contacts, many of whom may know of several great job opportunities at any given time. 

In addition to part-time jobs off campus that are computer-related, you should also watch for opportunities for MIS students available through the university.  Contact information is listed below.

Internship Assistance

Cheryl MinnickInternship CoordinatorAcademic Enrichment

243-4614cheryl.minnick@umontana.edu

International Internship

Kevin HoodInternship CoordinatorAcademic Enrichment

243-4613kevin.hood@umontana.edu

SoBA Internship

Kathleen TarkalsonInternship DirectorSchool of Business Administration

243-6771kathleen.tarkalson@umontana.edu

SoBA Help Desk Tech or Lab Monitor position

Eric TangedahlIT DirectorSchool of Business Administration

243-6620eric.tangedahl@umontana.edu

Web designer or programmer position

Amy Stout, Program ManagerSpectral Fusion Designs

243-4789amy.stout@mso.umt.edu http://www.cas.umt.edu/sfdesigns/

Student Technical Assistant Program (STAP) position

Kathy GarramoneComputer Support SpecialistIT Office

243-5362kathy.garramone@mso.umt.eduhttp://www.umt.edu/it/aboutjobs/stap.php

Residence Halls Technical Assistant (RTA) position

Jesse NeidighDirectorStudent Affairs IT

243-2625rta.supervisors@mso.umt.eduhttp://www.umt.edu/sait

Non-profit volunteer position

Andrea VernonDirectorOffice for Civic Engagement

243-5159andrea.vernon@umontana.edu

Student jobs http://www.umt.edu/studentjobs

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Student OrganizationThe Montana Information Systems Association (MISA) was formed in the spring semester of 2000. MISA brings in MIS industry speakers, takes field trips, and presents training and support to other students in the School of Business, particularly in the BMIS 270 MIS Foundations for Business class, where they host lab sessions for the MovieMaker and web design projects. Students who become officers of MISA have the opportunity to develop

leadership and team-building skills.

MISA became a student chapter of the national professional organization AIS (Association for Information Systems). MISA has received a number of awards from AIS.

Staying In TouchUniversity of Montana uses UM Connect email addresses, and instructors must use your UM email address for any official email communications. Check that account frequently. For more information about UM Connect, go to the UM IT website.

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Developing Your Exit StrategyFreshmen and Sophomores: Ready or Not, Your Career Has Begun

Do not wait until your senior year to begin thinking about the next phase of your life.  Make sure you graduate with concrete plans and an active job search completed or in progress.  Our most successful students begin planning for their entry into the world of work early in their college careers.

Contact Kathleen Tarkalson, SoBA Internship Director, during your sophomore and junior years to begin searching for and competing effectively for an internship. 

Contact Career Services no later than your junior year to begin your job search planning and activities.  Career Services offers workshops and individual appointments on resume and cover letter preparation, how to interview and job search, as well as planning a job search.  They also host annual career fairs and employer-led workshops.

Career ServicesLommasson Center 154  

Phone: 406-243-2022Email:   careers@umontana.edu  

Office hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.Monday – Friday

The School of Business Administration’s Career Development Program also offers programs to help prepare you for this process.  Events such as Employer resume critique sessions, Employer mock interview sessions, networking events, and etiquette workshops are presented throughout the year. 

See a list of this semester’s workshops on the Career

Development website!

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Advice to Students from Our GraduatesIn exit interviews, our departing seniors were asked what advice they would give to new MIS students. Here is a compilation of their answers.

Use good time management. Figure out when you are most productive and don’t lie to yourself.

Balance social life, personal life, work life, and school life. Study hard. You have to be serious about school. Take responsibility for your own education. Do your own research. Be willing to learn things on your own. Get to know the faculty early on in the program. Writing is important. Take C&I 187! Get involved with MISA. Keep an open mind. MIS is a broad field and the first class you take may not be

the area you decide to specialize in. Stick to it. The advanced classes are fun! Look at your school experience through an employer’s eyes. Why would the

employer want to hire you? Get some real-world experience.

"When I changed my major to Management Information Systems, I could never have imagined I would end up where I am today. In two short years, I landed a great summer consulting internship with KPMG, where I was able to work for a Fortune 500 client before I even graduated college. After my internship, I accepted both a full-time offer with the firm and a role back in Missoula as their on-campus representative.

Looking back on the last four years, the best advice I could give students is to start early, don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t wait around for your dream job to drop into your lap; it simply won’t. If you want something, go out and get it! If you apply for a position and aren’t selected, learn from the experience and make yourself better for your next interview. Finally, make connections and nurture them. SoBA works hard to give students the opportunity to work on career development early and often. Take advantage of it! At UM, we take care of our own; it’s one of the reasons this place is so special. Our alumni are everywhere, and if you reach out to them for advice about a company that they have experience with, they are generally happy to help a fellow Griz.

I wouldn’t trade my time at UM for any other institution in the country. The career development, coursework, and most importantly the people have prepared me for the next step in my career, and I couldn’t be more excited to take it.” Greg Heidner (’13)

For more student testimonials, see the student testimonials page located on the MIS Department website (www.business.umt.edu/degreesprograms/MISDepartment.aspx).

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