The career dynamics of information systems professionals

Abstract

A concern of many information systems (I/S) managers is the ability to attract, retain, and motivate their I/S professional staff, particularly those who have the potential to be high performers. However, many of the attitudes and attributes of these newly-hired employees are formed prior to entering the workplace; they are shaped by the students' college studies and by their personal backgrounds and characteristics.This study investigates the career progression of nearly a thousand I/S majors from 38 colleges and universities who have been tracked over several years as they complete their college studies and move into their first I/S jobs. It examines three aspects of this progression: career preparation and entry; work adjustment; and career outlook, both at present and long-term. A number of key variables are identified, derived both from theory and from the empirical results of the study. In particular, the balance between developing technical skills and "people" skills as individuals move through the early stages of their careers is given special attention.