Volume 11

V11 N3 Pages 79-89

June 2013


Reassessing the Skills Required of Graduates of an Information Systems Program: An Updated Analysis


John Legier
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901, USA

Belle Woodward
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901, USA

Nancy L. Martin
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901, USA

Abstract: The study involves an updated analysis of the requirements of information systems graduates based on the status of the job market as well as the perceptions of 72 graduates over a four year period from an information systems program of a Midwestern university. Approximately one-third of the graduates were working in positions related to technical support. Providing end-user support, installing software, managing information, and installing and maintaining computer devices/components were the top four tasks performed by the largest number of graduates. Research indicates that employers are looking not only for technical skills but also strong soft skills as competition increases at home and abroad. From a list of 18 technical and nontechnical skills, the graduates ranked thinking skills, personal characteristics, desire to learn, attitude and motivation, teamwork, and communication skills as the top requirements for success in the information technology field.

Keywords: information systems (IS), information technology (IT), IS graduates, IS graduate survey demographics, IS/IT labor market employment outlook

Download this article: ISEDJ - V11 N3 Page 79.pdf


Recommended Citation: Legier, J., Woodward, B., Martin, N. L. (2013). Reassessing the Skills Required of Graduates of an Information Systems Program: An Updated Analysis . Information Systems Education Journal, 11(3) pp 79-89. http://isedj.org/2013-11/ ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of ISECON 2012)