Information Systems / IT Jobs and MBA Programs in South Dakota

South Dakota is a good place to settle for computer operations managers as there are many educational and career opportunities. For computer operations managers in South Dakota, the job pool is currently 210 and climbing. A 16 percent bump in the number of jobs is projected to put the figure at 230 by 2016. This growth equals the national trend for computer operations managers. In general, computer operations managers create and implement information systems for a client firm and supervise their maintenance.

South Dakota photo by Dean Franklin

State figures show that computer operations managers in South Dakota earn $46 per hour or $96,000 per year on average. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is $57 hourly or $118,000 per year on average.

South Dakota, nicknamed the Mount Rushmore State, has seen its population grow 7.6 percent to 812,383 over the last decade. The capital is Pierre. In 2008, the total number of jobs was 566,490 and the average annual income in South Dakota was $38,644, which is up from $36,428 the previous year. Unemployment increased to 4.8 percent in 2009, a jump of 1.7 percentage points from the previous year. The number of residents with a college degree is 21.5 percent, which is under the national average.

In South Dakota, the top employers are in nonstore retailers, gasoline stations with convenience stores, sign manufacturing and metal window manufacturing.

Having known landmarks is a staple for South Dakota. Bowdle is known for the tallest water tower in South Dakota. While being known for many things, one of the most noteworthy, fossilized remains of life 50 million years ago have been arranged in unusual forms, which is Lemmon's mark of distinction at the world's largest petrified wood park.

Information Systems / IT

Computer operations managers create and implement information systems for a client firm and supervise their maintenance.

While working, they inspect project plans to develop and direct project activity. Also, they meet with department heads to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.

They are required to evaluate the effectiveness of systems in order to improve their performance and pay attention to ongoing situations and monitor them as they develop.

Computer operations managers must be able to articulate ideas and problems. They should also have the ability to listen to and understand others in meetings.

In order to be successful in the workplace, computer operations managers must have exceptional integrity and be reliable.