What Skills Do Students Need? A Multi-Year Study of IT/IS Knowledge and Skills in Demand by Employers

Authors

Jeff Cummings, University of North Carolina - Wilmington
Thomas N. Janicki

Abstract

In the fields of information technology and information systems, faculty must consistently adjust curriculum to meet the demands of the field. However, a challenge they often face is understanding what should be covered, especially given the limited number of courses most universities are able to offer. This research explores the knowledge and skills demanded in the field by surveying a variety of employers across various roles. The survey focused on IS/IT professionals with the inclusion of management who may oversee these professionals. Additionally, those involved in hiring IT/IS professionals were also surveyed to evaluate future hiring needs across various roles. A variety of technologies were examined, including databases, operating systems, networking technologies, and cloud platforms, to understand the technologies currently being utilized at organizations. Furthermore, specific skills (e.g., programming languages, general business, etc.) across a variety of roles were explored to understand what skills are currently sought by employers. The goal of this research is to understand the importance of various technologies and skills to better prepare students for the workforce. This is part of an ongoing study that has evaluated changes in the field over the past 15 years.

Recommended Citation

Cummings, Jeff and Janicki, Thomas N. (2020) "What Skills Do Students Need? A Multi-Year Study of IT/IS Knowledge and Skills in Demand by Employers," Journal of Information Systems Education: Vol. 31 : Iss. 3 , 208-217.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jise/vol31/iss3/5