Management Information Systems (MIS) Organizations Education and Training

Enhance your business networking with IT associations that offer education and training opportunities

If you have just graduated with a Management of Information Systems (MIS) or other IT degree, and are planning on starting your own business, it can be very beneficial to join one of the many IT organizations that exist. These organizations are meant to give you a leg up against your professional, unassociated colleagues.

The following Management Information Systems (MIS) organizations education and training tips will help you decide which professional MIS organizations will best assist you in your chosen business venture:

1. Check out the college where you received your degree to find out if they have a Management Information Systems organization you can join.
2. Join formal Information Systems Management Professional organizations and attend their educational conferences.
3. Get discounts on certifications and training by becoming a member of MIS professional organizations.
   

 

Consult with your alma mater to see you they have any MIS associations you can join

Most colleges have a Management Information Systems association that will help you network, get business advice or assist with continuing education. Whether you are currently in school, or have already finished your degree, check with your college to find out whether they have such an organization for you to join.
Try: Students at the San Jose University or Sacramento State can join the local MIS Association. Florida State University alumni and students can join the MIS association and have their resume published on CD. These associations often offer assistance completing your degree, as well as post-graduate continuing education discounts.

Attend educational conferences sponsored by professional MIS organizations

Large, well-established IT associations generally charge dues, but offer a large variety of educational benefits. Many hold annual conferences where the best and brightest in their respective fields gather to pool knowledge. Other than the membership dues to join the MIS associations, most of these conferences cost little or nothing to attend.
Try: The Computer Measurement Group is a worldwide organization of MIS and IT professionals. Their annual conference is a great way to become educated about the latest methods computer performance measurement. Being a member of their network also allows you access to their wealth of technical papers, written by and for IT professionals. The Association of Information Technology Professionals is meant for professionals, educators and students in the IT industry. Their annual conference is designed to supplement traditional IT education by its unique program design.

Join professional organizations, MIS or IT, to get discounts on certification training and courses

Keeping yourself up to date on the latest technologies and certifications is expensive. MIS organizations help defray that cost by offering pre-certification training, or discounts on certification exams or continuing education.
Try: The Computing Technology Industry Association is known as the world's largest developer of vendor-neutral IT certification exams. In addition, CompTIA sponsors a program called Creating Futures that provides free training, study guides and self-assessment qualifying individuals or businesses. Membership in the Society for Information Management (SIM) gains you access to the SIM Regional Leadership Forum, which provides industry specific training for future IT leaders.

 

• Even in an economic downturn, there are opportunities for those who are willing to take risks. Starting your own business is a daunting task. Becoming a member of one of the many IT organizations out there will help you make contacts, benefit from the wisdom of others, and get discounts on your continuing education.

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