Information systems specialists
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Information systems specialists are experts in how data is managed electronically. They analyze, develop, test and maintain information systems. They work to improve the performance of computer networks and ensure the security of databases.
Job Titles
Duties
Information systems specialists:
- Analyze, test and oversee information systems used to collect, organize and distribute data
- Design and develop new systems
- Ensure that the information stored in systems is protected
- Make recommendations to improve the performance of networks and the security of databases
- Find and document issues and ensure they are fixed
- Carry out preventive maintenance
- Develop and follow policies and procedures that meet the organization’s goals, the users’ needs, and legal and ethical standards
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
12,735% Employed Full Time
76%Information systems specialists work in information technology (IT) consulting firms and in the IT departments of different organizations. They work throughout the public and private sectors. Some are self-employed.
They generally work in an office. They may also work remotely or from home since technology allows for systems to be accessed from almost anywhere.
Because information systems must be always available, work may sometimes take place outside of regular office hours. System maintenance and upgrades, for example, often occur at night and on weekends.
The role of the information systems specialist can be stressful, especially when putting in new systems or dealing with urgent issues. Finding creative ways to solve problems, though, can be very rewarding.
Career Pathways
Those new to this career typically start as programmers, systems analysts, systems or network administrators, Q&A analysts, testers or software developers.
Workers with experience in computer programming may move into junior roles in information systems development, systems security, quality assurance planning or systems auditing.
With more education and experience, they may specialize in specific types of systems. Some may manage teams or projects, taking on leadership roles as senior systems analysts, information systems managers or IT directors. Some may choose to start their own businesses.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Information systems specialists usually need:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in computer information systems, information technology, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering or a related area, OR
- Completion of a college program in information technology, computer information systems, computer science or a related area
Most jobs need experience as a computer programmer. Skills in IT infrastructure, security operations, network support, software development or DevOps may also be required.
In some roles, an understanding of basic business concepts, like project management, is an asset. Workers also need good communication skills so they can explain technical problems and solutions to a person who might not have a technical background.
Information technology changes rapidly, so ongoing education is a must. Workers need to continue to learn new skills throughout their career.
Some employers look for workers with certification as a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Experienced information systems specialists can apply for Information Systems Professional (ISP) designation through Canada's Association of Information Technology (IT) Professionals (CIPS).
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Computer Information Systems/Science
- Linguistics Related (Arts)
- Computing Science/Systems Related
- Information Technology Management
- Linguistics (Science)
- Web Technologies
- Networking and Security
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations and the environment will affect outcomes.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
12,735Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 175 | 1.4% |
| Kootenay | 145 | 1.1% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 9,725 | 76.4% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 60 | 0.5% |
| Northeast | 30 | 0.2% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 745 | 5.9% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 1,855 | 14.6% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
9,140Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 70 | 1.1% |
| Kootenay | 80 | 1.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 7,290 | 2.9% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 60 | 5.3% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 490 | 2.2% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 1,160 | 2.0% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 6,270 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 540 |
| Public Administration | 500 |
| Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 340 |
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 310 |
Insights from Industry
Organizations use technology to manage valuable and sensitive information. So, they need experts to protect them from security breaches and other risks to their systems and databases.
This means information systems specialists–especially those with experience–are in high demand. Demand is particularly strong for those who have technical skills and business knowledge.
Resources
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BC Tech Associationwww.wearebctech.com
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Canada's Association of I.T. Professionalswww.cips.ca
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Canada's Association of Information Technology (IT) Professionals - British Columbiawww.bc.cips.ca
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The Canadian Advanced Technology Allianceinnovationsoftheworld.com/canadian-advanced-technology
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Communications Security Establishmentwww.cse-cst.gc.ca/
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Data Management Association (DAMA)www.dama.org/cpages/home
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First Nations Technology Councilwww.technologycouncil.ca
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Information and Communications Technology Councilwww.ictc-ctic.ca
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Information Resource Management Association of Canadawww.irmac.ca
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Information Systems Audit and Control Associationwww.isaca.org
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International Institute of Business Analysiswww.iiba.org
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International Institute of Business Analysis – Career Centrewww.iiba.org/Careers/IIBA-Career-Centre-Find-business-analyst-jobs.aspx
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National Cybersecurity Consortiumncc-cnc.ca/
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Technation.ca formerly the Information Technology Association of Canadaitac.ca
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Worldwide Open Cyber Security Associationwww.wocsa.org/
Career Videos
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an information systems professional is like.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of an information systems professional is like.
