Three Perspectives on the Value of Bridgers Within IT: A Longitudinal Study of Eight Years of Job Placement of IT Graduates

2023 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kaarst-Brown, Michelle; Guzman, Indira

Abstract: Job placement data is important for understanding where graduates get jobs. We ... Expand

Abstract: Job placement data is important for understanding where graduates get jobs. We present an empirical study of eight years of undergraduate and graduate IT placement data to explore IT jobs obtained within IT functions. Niederman, Ferratt, and Trauth (2016) propose clustering IT jobs into four macro-level categories based on the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for these jobs: IT bridgers, technical specialists, application domain specialists, and IT managers. They argue an increased need for and value placed on "bridgers" who can fill bridging jobs within IT. Bridgers within IT possess both technical and "soft skills" like communications/managerial and change/project management and work within the IT function but can liaise between IT and business units. Using a longitudinal sample of 1,980 IT graduates from one Information School, the data supports that IT bridgers are hired within IT, are hired earlier, and are largely hired in consulting, technology, and finance industry sectors. Contributions include exploring the utility of the macro-level categorization of NFT IT job categories to analyze job placement, the importance of tracking IT job placement in employer sectors, and the overall value of IT placement data for IT educators and administrators. Collapse

Topics: IT job category IT job IT workforce IT skill soft skill

Methods: longitudinal research cluster analysis archival research longitudinal data analysis

Theories: co-evolution theory

The Career Paths Less (or More) Traveled: A Sequence Analysis of It Career Histories, Mobility Patterns, and Career Success

2012 | Management Information Systems Quarterly | Citations: 107

Authors: Joseph, Damien; Fong Boh, Wai; Ang, Soon; Slaughter, Sandra A.

Abstract: This paper examines the objective career histories, mobility patterns, and caree ... Expand

Abstract: This paper examines the objective career histories, mobility patterns, and career success of 500 individuals drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79), who had worked in the information technology workforce. Sequence analysis of career histories shows that careers of the IT workforce are more diverse than the traditional view of a dual IT career path (technical versus managerial). This study reveals a new career typology comprising three broad, distinct paths: IT careers; professional labor market (PLM)careers; and secondary labor market (SLM) careers. Of the 500 individuals in the IT workforce, 173 individuals pursued IT careers while the remaining 327 individuals left IT for other high-status non-IT professional jobs in PLM or lower-status, non-IT jobs in SLM careers. Findings from this study contribute to refining the concept of "boundaryless" careers. By tracing the diverse trajectories of career mobility, we enrich our understanding of how individuals construct boundaryless careers that span not only organizational but also occupational boundaries. Career success did not differ in terms of average pay for individuals in IT and PLM careers. By contrast, individuals in SLM careers attained the lowest pay. We conclude this study with implications for future research and for the management of IT professionals' careers Collapse

Topics: IT career IT workforce IT job human resource management IT work

Methods: cluster analysis sensitivity analysis longitudinal research computational algorithm Levene's test

Theories: human capital theory

A Multi-Media Learning Module Approach to Communication Skills Enhancement and Assessment

1996 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Becker, Jack; Insley, Robert; Pinheiro, Cenlina

Abstract: An exhaustive analysis of the communication skills requirements for undergraduat ... Expand

Abstract: An exhaustive analysis of the communication skills requirements for undergraduate information systems majors at the University of North Texas was conducted using curriculum design tools developed for the DPMA/ACM Model Curriculum studies. It was concluded that perceived communication skills deficiency could be resolved by including specially targeted course modules within selected existing courses. After field testing the course content portions using traditional lecture and "pen and pencil" techniques, it was decided that a multi-media approach to certain communication skills areas would be appropriate and perhaps even more effective. A prototyping approach, which utilized marketing storyboarding design principles, was adopted. Although there was a steeper than anticipated learning curve for multi-media course development, it is believed that by utilizing pre-packaged courseware tools for navigation and course management, such as AMR's World Tutor Software, more rapid application development will be possible in the future. The three-hour Listening Module, which was developed, is still in beta testing. Collapse

Topics: rapid application development marketing management IS curriculum programming language IS management

Methods: design artifact design principle design methodology survey

Curricula for Information Systems Undergraduate Education for the Future

1996 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 1

Authors: Pick, JAmes B; Schenk, K D

Abstract: ... Expand

Abstract: Collapse

Topics: software developer IT manager IT job category