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Mercedes
Student
Salem, Oregon
3
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Computer & Information Systems Managers
I was looking into career paths and this piqued my interest. I wanted to learn more about what you do, is your job stressful, what your favorite part of your job is, and what are some common work environments,
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1 answer
Jeff Baril
Manage Business Application Software Development and Administration
6
Answers
Little Elm, Texas
Updated
Jeff’s Answer
I’ve been working in the Management Information Systems (MIS) field for just over 40 years now, and it has been a wild ride. Some days are incredibly stressful—like when I crossed picket lines to fix a payroll system that stopped paying teachers—and others are so calm I could probably sleep through them. I’ve worked in various capacities: as an independent consultant for a large consulting firm and a traditional company employee. Each role is exhilarating in its own way and brings unique challenges and rewards.
My specialty lies in back-office systems: payroll, finance, supply chain, human resources, and inventory. Over the years, many of these systems have consolidated into fewer solutions that don’t require as many people to manage. The real secret to thriving in this field is to embrace lifelong learning. Every few years, I’ve had to master something new, and often, I’ve had to learn it on my own to stay ahead of the curve. That’s the nature of technology—it’s constantly evolving, and so must you.
The best part of my job is helping people realize their vision through software. Users often don’t know exactly what they want until you partner with them to figure it out. It’s a lot like being both a writer and an artist. Imagine someone asking for a box. What kind of box? What color should it be? Should it have hinges or openings? How big does it need to be—large enough for an elephant or small enough for a mouse? The conversation becomes about understanding the why behind the box—what do you really need it for? This process involves crafting a story—specifically, a “user story.”
A user story follows a simple format: “As a user, I need this thing to accomplish something.” Some stories are quick and simple, like a single line. Others evolve into epics—collections of many smaller stories—to capture a larger goal. Being part of that journey, helping build solutions that make someone’s job or life more manageable, is incredibly rewarding.
Over time, I transitioned into leadership roles. Sometimes, I’ve led customers to solutions as a consultant. Other times, I’ve acted as a project leader, helping keep everyone focused and on track. As a team leader, I’ve supported my team’s growth and success, and as a business owner, I’ve overseen teams across multiple customers. The skills that have served me best in leadership are listening, anticipating needs, and striving to make others successful.
If you pursue a career in MIS, you’ll find that leadership in this field leans heavily into servant leadership—almost like being a pastor. Your job involves helping people get the most out of their tools, systems, and themselves. That’s what I love most about what I do.
My specialty lies in back-office systems: payroll, finance, supply chain, human resources, and inventory. Over the years, many of these systems have consolidated into fewer solutions that don’t require as many people to manage. The real secret to thriving in this field is to embrace lifelong learning. Every few years, I’ve had to master something new, and often, I’ve had to learn it on my own to stay ahead of the curve. That’s the nature of technology—it’s constantly evolving, and so must you.
The best part of my job is helping people realize their vision through software. Users often don’t know exactly what they want until you partner with them to figure it out. It’s a lot like being both a writer and an artist. Imagine someone asking for a box. What kind of box? What color should it be? Should it have hinges or openings? How big does it need to be—large enough for an elephant or small enough for a mouse? The conversation becomes about understanding the why behind the box—what do you really need it for? This process involves crafting a story—specifically, a “user story.”
A user story follows a simple format: “As a user, I need this thing to accomplish something.” Some stories are quick and simple, like a single line. Others evolve into epics—collections of many smaller stories—to capture a larger goal. Being part of that journey, helping build solutions that make someone’s job or life more manageable, is incredibly rewarding.
Over time, I transitioned into leadership roles. Sometimes, I’ve led customers to solutions as a consultant. Other times, I’ve acted as a project leader, helping keep everyone focused and on track. As a team leader, I’ve supported my team’s growth and success, and as a business owner, I’ve overseen teams across multiple customers. The skills that have served me best in leadership are listening, anticipating needs, and striving to make others successful.
If you pursue a career in MIS, you’ll find that leadership in this field leans heavily into servant leadership—almost like being a pastor. Your job involves helping people get the most out of their tools, systems, and themselves. That’s what I love most about what I do.