Careers Slideshow: Degrees In Demand: Higher Education for Tomorrow's IT Leaders
By Dennis McCafferty | Posted 10-04-2010Computer science, with focus on software engineering
Software engineering is one of the best jobs in IT. It's tough to outsource, because it requires constant interaction with the user or end-client community.
Computer science, with focus on human-centered computing
The explosion of professional and social networking creates a demand for individuals who can design socio-technical systems that seamlessly integrate technology, mobility and collaboration.
Computer science, with focus on computational biology and health informatics
As the baby boomer cohort ages, CIOs across the healthcare value chain—including hospitals, clinics, insurance providers and pharmaceutical companies—seek IT pros who understand this industry.
Management and entrepreneurship
This provides a broad-based education required in today's team-oriented, horizontally organized and globally competitive marketplace.
Operations and information management
This discipline helps graduates link IT to business strategy and design effective IT service operations. It's a rare and valuable talent for a CIO's team.
Global management
With project teams spanning international borders, languages, cultures and work habits, a global POV is needed among enterprise leaders today.
Management and information systems
This draws on both disciplines to emphasize business-process improvement, customer-driven information systems, and human factors in the use of IS and IT.
Masters of business administration, with focus on computer-information systems
This kind of degree allows the well-rounded graduate to successfully integrate IT within "the business" (strategies, offerings, processes).
Masters of business administration in information technology
This is "MBA lite" and can be earned within a few months of part-time study. It's very valuable, however, in helping professionals understand finance, risk, business process, project management, and more.
Masters in computer information systems, with a concentration in management
For those seeking to become IT team leaders. It's about the management of IT as a function, overseeing applications, infrastructure, architecture and operations.
