Employment of computer and information systems managers is projected grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Growth will be driven by organizations upgrading their information technology (IT) systems and switching to newer, faster, and more mobile networks. Consequently, more employees at all management levels will be needed to help in the transition.
Additional growth will likely result from the need to increase security in IT departments. More attention is being directed at cyber threats, a trend that is expected to increase over the next decade.
A number of jobs in this occupation is expected to be created in the healthcare industry, which is far behind in its use of information technology. This industry is expected to greatly increase IT use, resulting in job growth.
An increase in cloud computing may shift some IT services to computer systems design and related services firms, concentrating jobs in that industry.
A number of IT jobs are at risk of being sent to other countries with lower wages, dampening some employment growth. However, this risk may be reduced by a recent trend of firms moving jobs to lower cost regions of the United States instead of to other countries.
Prospects should be favorable for this occupation. Many companies note that it is difficult to find qualified applicants for positions.
Because innovation is fast paced in IT, opportunities should be best for those who have knowledge of the newest technology.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition