IT management M.B.A. graduates who have a solid foundation in business skills are in demand. For those who have experience with technology, whether in a technology company or a corporation in another business sector, an IT management M.B.A. can be what is needed to move into higher positions. For those who lack technology experience, the IT management M.B.A. offers the leverage needed to open doors into technology management.
Surfing The Technology Wave
In today’s business world, to be competitive means to stay ahead of the information technology (IT) curve. Managers who can run complex intranets as well as interactive Internet sites are integral to any successful company. Computer network security is another big factor in a company’s bottom line, as more and more business is conducted electronically. IT has become a strategic asset that affects an organization’s products, processes, services, management, and customer service. Plus, more computer and information systems managers are asked to make decisions that can affect a company’s success.
Available MBA Technology Programs
Some IT management M.B.A. programs are only for those who have substantial experience in IT and are looking to take their skills to another level. According to Bureau of Labor statistics in the U.S. Department of Labor's 2006–07 Occupational Outlook Handbook, “job opportunities are best for applicants with computer-related work experience, a master’s degree in business administration with technology as a core component, or a management information systems degree.” A selection of job titles that IT management M.B.A. graduates fill include information systems manager, systems analyst, IT project manager, e-commerce business manager, and IT consultant.
Some IT management programs stress technical skills and encourage their advanced business students to take courses in computer science. Others focus on strategy formulation and project management in a technological environment. The goal is to integrate business needs with technical capabilities. The IT management M.B.A. offers managers the tools to effectively manage knowledge workers and strategically implement the latest advances in information technology and communication systems to streamline a company’s performance and increase its revenues.
Management positions include chief technology officers, management systems directors, projects managers, and LAN/WAN managers.
