Chief Information Officers

Employers

Computer and information systems managers hold about 557,400 jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The industries that employ the most computer and information systems managers are as follows:

• computer systems design and related services: 21 percent
• information: 14 percent
• finance and insurance: 11 percent
• management of companies and enterprises: 9 percent
• manufacturing: 7 percent

CIOs work for both large and small businesses, and even nonprofit businesses, ranging from small companies to firms with thousands of employees. CIOs are also employed by government agencies and colleges and universities.

Starting Out

Since CIOs are high-level executives, people usually spend 10 to 15 years working in business administration or information management before they apply for jobs at the CIO level. Lower and mid-level information management jobs usually involve specialization in a certain area. For example, middle-level systems management professionals may run technology training programs, design and implement help desks, oversee small database systems, or manage small IT departments. Specializations could also include working in health care or for environmental nonprofit organizations as mid-level or high-level managers.

While gaining experience to become a CIO, individuals would be well-served to gain experience, not only in IT, but also in project management and supervising.