BENTLEY
UNIVERSITY
Careers in Computer
Information Systems
Bentley’s Class of 2008 CIS
majors reported an average
starting salary of $65,500.
This is 28% greater than the Miller Center for
class average! Undergraduate Career Services
LaCava Building, 270
(From salary surveys
reported at graduation) 781-891-2375

Entry-level positions and internships for CIS majors to consider
Application Analyst implement, coordinate and maintain
enterprisewide data architecture; provide
Supports a given application or applications.
leadership in establishing and documenting
This may include programming, some
data standards; create and test database
system administration skills, and the ability
prototypes
to analyze a given problem, diagnose it and
find its root cause, and then either solve it or
pass the problem on to the relevant Data Modeler
departments
Analyze organizational data requirements
Business Systems Analyst and create logical and physical models of
Analyze business application requirements data flow; interview key project
for functional areas such as finance, stakeholders, document findings and make
manufacturing, marketing or human detailed recommendations; work with
resources. Analysts write code, test and database administrators and reporting
debug software applications; teams to ensure the availability of
recommend system changes standard and ad hoc data
and enhancements; reporting in a production
document software environment; address
specifications and train “I feel the strength of being a data-quality issues with
users clients and
CIS major is that the courses management
Data
Analyst/Report cover a large spectrum –
Writer coding, project management,
Analyze complex
data systems and
database experience, and
Data Security
document data networking. Bentley sends out Analyst/Risk
elements, data business oriented CIS majors. Analyst
flow, relationships
I had four job offers by Perform security
and dependencies;
audits, risk
develop automated November of my senior year.” assessment and
and reusable
routines for extracting
(May 2008 Bentley CIS analysis; make
recommendations for
requested information graduate) enhancing data
from database systems,
systems security;
compile detailed reports
research attempted
using data reporting tools,
breaches of data security and
and make recommendations
rectify security weaknesses;
based on findings; work in partnership
formulate security policies and procedures
with business analysts, data architects and
database developers to build data
transactional and warehousing systems Desktop Support Analyst
Data Architect Maintain an inventory of installed software,
Understand and evaluate business manage software licensing, and create
requirements and translate those into policies and procedures for upgrades; work
specific database solutions; create data with hardware and software vendors to
design models, database architecture and verify timely product delivery and ensure
data repository design; work with the that new equipment is installed and set up
systems and database administration staff to on schedule; analyze and make
recommendations for hardware and
software standardization; create user
accounts and manage access control based
on company policies

E-Commerce Analyst
Analyze business and user requirements
and make recommendations regarding the
design and development of web-based e-
commerce solutions; coordinate work with
web designers and other technical
specialists for the implementation of e-
commerce websites; test and evaluate e-
commerce site performance and monitor site
analytics
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Specialist
Implement and monitor EDI systems,
including data mapping, translation and
interface; coordinate relations and serve as
liaison to internal users, vendors and other
external partners with respect to data
interchange standards; perform system
testing and quality control checks; develop
and maintain EDI documentation
Help Desk
Network Security Administrator
Take initial telephone or e-mail inquires and Implement network security policies and
troubleshoot and manage relatively simple
procedures; administer and maintain
hardware, software or network problems to
firewalls; manage, monitor and update virus
more complex issues requiring detailed
prevention systems; monitor security
systems and applications knowledge.
advisory groups to ensure all necessary
IT Auditor network security updates; patches and
Test and evaluate IT systems and controls preventative measures are in place; perform
for conformity with industry standards of intrusion detection analysis
efficiency, accuracy and security; provide Quality Assurance Analyst/Tester
independent verification in connection with Develop and execute software test plans;
the Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) identify and facilitate issue resolution with
No. 70 reporting requirements, Sarbanes-
functional and technical groups; manage
Oxley Act compliance and similar
software beta test programs; document test
regulations; make recommendations for
results.
systems operations and process
improvements and present them to senior
management; develop risk-based audit
plans
Mainframe Systems Programmer
Design logic, write code, test and debug
mainframe computer applications; install and
implement programs and upgrades;
diagnose and resolve problems in
coordination with other technical team
members; document procedures for
mainframe configuration and operation

systems testing; ensure integrity and
confidentiality of sensitive data
Software Developer Technical Writer
Code, test and debug programs according to
Document the specifications, design,
computer engineering specifications; modify,
features and operation of applications; write
expand and update applications;
and edit user manuals, help systems and
communicate with a team that includes
other technical documents; design and
analysts, engineers and quality assurance format document using document-creation
testers in order to coordinate and document software; interview applications developers
application development and testing;
and other technical resource personnel to
develop software prototypes
ensure the accuracy of all information
Software Engineer presented
Design and create engineering
specifications for software programs and Web Administrator
applications; work with quality assurance to
Install, customize, update and maintain
develop software test plans; collaborate with
corporate internal and external web pages
hardware engineers to assess and test
and sites; create and analyze reports on
hardware and software interaction; web activity, number of hits, traffic patterns
implement a specific development and similar performance metrics; monitor
methodology; document software
customer feedback and respond to inquiries;
specifications
recommend network, server, and related
Staff Consultant equipment and software upgrades and
Assist with project planning and requirement improvements.
specifications; develop prototypes and Web Designer
alternatives in coordination with other team
Work with design teams, marketing and
members; execute and deliver projects
developers to create a consistent and
within time and budget constraints; compelling visual style for a company’s
understand client needs and develop and website; design and format web pages; test
maintain excellent client relations
and troubleshoot web page features; create
Systems Administrator artwork to appear on web pages
Install operating system software, patches Web Developer
and upgrades; analyze, troubleshoot, and Web developers engineer Internet-specific
resolve system hardware, software and
software to post and update information on
networking issues; configure, optimize, fine-
websites. Instead of working in a
tune, and monitor operating system software
programming language, developers use
and servers; perform system backups and
markup languages such as HTML and
recovery; conduct server builds JavaScript to create pages of text, images,
Systems Analyst and hyperlinks for site visitors to use.
The systems analyst is the middleman,
assessing the needs of the end-user and
translating them into programming or
working with other departments to develop
the programming. What are the business
requirements? Who will comprise the user
community? How large is the application
going to be? Will it be internal or external?
These are all questions facing the systems * The information above was taken from a
analyst number of sources including: Wetfeet.com,
Wikipedia and Princeton Review.com.
Reviewing these websites, e-Recruiting job
Systems Security Administrator postings, and Bentley’s career services website
Create, modify and delete user accounts; can help you gain knowledge of the career that is
monitor systems security and respond to right for you!
security incidents; participate in security

What is the best way to obtain a position in the industry?
If you have not done so already, get
registered on eRecruiting. For the
2007/2008 academic year, there were more
than 1,800 internship positions and almost
1,500 full-time opportunities for
undergraduates posted on e-Recruiting.
There is no more efficient means for
identifying opportunities. However, this
industry requires students to be especially
proactive about seeking potential
opportunities on their own. For additional
tips on job search strategies, visit the Center
for Career Services or attend one of our
workshops.
Get some experience. This is the most
effective means for obtaining a full-time job.
Job shadowing, summer internships
(whether paid or unpaid), externships, part-
time work during the school year, and even
volunteering your services are all excellent
ways to gain resume enhancing experience.
Who do you know? Networking is a vital
skill when it comes to the job search.
Consider your friends, classmates,
upperclassmen, family, friends of the family,
faculty, administration, FalconNet…the list
goes on and on! Also, The Center for
Career Services hosts a large number of
networking opportunities throughout the
year—you should be at these! Be sure to
attend the “CIS Presents” events hosted by
the CIS faculty.
Get involved. In addition to students who
are academically strong and have good
work experience, employers seek students
who participate in on-campus activities or
community service. Join a club, work part-
time in Web Services, or be a CIS tutor. Do
something to demonstrate that you are an
effective leader and team player.

reading periodicals, trade journals, attending
Join FalconNet - FalconNet enables you to trade shows and anything else you can do to
leverage the professional knowledge and stay abreast of your field of interest.
experience of your fellow students and Create a portfolio. You need something to
alumni. showcase your talents and serve as a
With FalconNet, you will be able to: reminder to both you and the prospective
 Build professional relationships with employers of that which you are capable.
fellow students and alumni that can help Have you redesigned a website or
you “get your foot in the door” at top-tier programmed software? A portfolio is an
organizations in your specific field of effective tool for cataloguing your
interest achievements.
 Get the real scoop on what internships Be persistent. It is not easy to obtain these
and full-time jobs are like at positions, especially in today’s economy.
organizations across the country and Unlike some large accounting or
throughout the world finance programs, most
 Be better prepared for interviews by organizations are not hiring
learning the types of questions in large numbers and
companies ask in a first, second or final so timing can be
round of interviews everything. Stick
with it—the positions
 Join professional discussion groups with are out there—you just
students and alumni on a wide range of
need to find them.
topics from majors/minors to salary
negotiations Open your mind. Don’t
immediately close the door
to any opportunity. Think
To join, go to www.bentley.edu/falconnet. It
you would never want to
takes just minutes to fill out a short profile
work in Quality Assurance?
and get connected to the latest technology
Speak to Bentley alumni who
in career building for college students. Be a
are doing it right now. Make
part of the FalconNet community and realize
sure you understand every role
the power of networking.
before you cross it off your list of
potential careers.
Stay up-to-date. Computer technology is
constantly changing. You must keep up-to-
date with all the recent developments by

Questions will vary depending upon the specific
position you are pursuing but, generally speaking,
you can expect the interviewer to focus on any or
all of these core competencies: Analytical
Capabilities, Logic, Detail Oriented, Patience,
Multi-Tasking, Team Player, Oral and Written
Communication Skills, Customer Service.
Sample Interview Questions
1. Why are you interested in x? Why this company?
2. Give me an example of a time that you created a new technique for an already familiar task.
3. Give me an example of a time that you were forced to work under very strict deadlines?
4. Give me an example of a time in which you were successful juggling many tasks at the same
time. How did you prioritize your work and what was the final outcome?
5. Tell me about a time when you had to develop client relationships.
6. What role do you typically assume in a team environment?
7. If you had committed to attend your mother’s birthday party but found yourself in the middle
of an important project, how might you handle this?
8. Describe a time at work when you had a significant impact on a situation.
9. How have you handled assignments in the past when you have been given little to no
information or guidance?
10. Why should I hire you over the many other candidates we are currently considering?
11. Give me an example of a time in which you were truly creative.
12. Give me an example of a time when you had to work with a particularly difficult or irate
customer.
13. Give me an example of a time in which you received criticism.
14. Give me an example of a time when you took a risk and failed.
15. Give me an example of a time when you used sound analytical reasoning to resolve a
problem.

Selected companies recruiting CIS majors in recent years
include:
ADVANCED VISUAL SYSTEMS GRANT THORNTON
AETNA, INC. HARTE HANKS DATA TECHNOLOGY
ALLMERICA FINANCIAL IBM CORPORATION
ANALOG DEVICES, INC. INTERNODED, INCORPORATED
AOL TIME WARNER BOOK GROUP INTUIT
ATHENAHEALTH.COM JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES
BOSE CORPORATION JOHNSON & JOHNSON
BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL CENTER JP MORGAN CHASE & CO.
BOSTON CANNONS KPMG, LLP
BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. LIBERTY MUTUAL
COMPUTER SCIENCE CORPORATION LTX CORPORATION
CORETELLIGENT MEDITECH
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP MONSTER
DELOITTE CONSULTING MORGAN STANLEY
DIGITAS OSRAM SYLVANIA, INC.
EMC CORPORATION PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS
EPSILON DATA MANAGEMENT PROTIVITI
ENTERCOM BOSTON PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
ERNST & YOUNG LLP RAYTHEON COMPANY
EVERYNETWORK SAPIENT
EZE CASTLE SOFTWARE SPANTECH SOFTWARE, INC.
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS STAPLES, INC.
FIRST MARBLEHEAD SUNGARD HIGHER EDUCATION
GARTNER GROUP TERADYNE
GENERAL ELECTRIC THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC.
GENZYME CORPORATION TRINITY PARTNERS, INC.
GILLETTE COMPANY UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP
GORTON'S