What You Can Do with an Informatics Degree

Alumna of the online informatics degree program smiles as she works at a desktop in an office setting.

Business runs on technology and data. Skilled informatics professionals are in demand because they help manage the systems that collect, study, and use data to guide business decisions.

Regardless of your background, if you鈥檙e looking to apply your expertise in new and exciting ways, informatics could be a perfect fit. 

What is Informatics?

Informatics bridges technology and business.

As an informatics student, you'll learn to use modern tools and build management skills for high-paying jobs in many fields.
Dr. Michael Totaro, 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette Informatics program coordinator, teaching in front of a white board

"Informatics is an area of computing that focuses on human needs by way of technology applications,鈥� says Dr. Michael Totaro, Informatics Program Coordinator. 鈥淚f you're interested in technology, computing, data, and how those come together for specific purposes, informatics is worth looking at.鈥� 

Dr. Totaro is a professor in the School of Computing and Informatics, and program coordinator for the M.S. in Informatics degree program. 

What Can I Do with an Informatics Degree?

For people with an unrelated degree, 麻豆果冻传媒 Lafayette鈥檚 master鈥檚 in informatics can open new doors in data science and informatics degree jobs.

鈥淪tudents can merge the area of expertise they already have with the expertise they will develop in informatics,鈥� says Dr. Totaro. 

鈥淏ecause informatics is so cross disciplinary, that's actually a good situation to be in. Everything that you've learned, everything that you've done, can be useful to you.鈥�

The Master of Science in Informatics builds on any bachelor's degree. You can take courses based on your interests in business, media tech, systems admin, web development, and network security.

You'll be ready for data science work in many fields. You can use your skills in app development, business process analysis, database or network security admin, and more.

Who鈥檚 Hiring Informatics Professionals?

The short answer? Everyone. 

Informatics, computing, and data science are among the fastest-growing fields in the country, with openings in every industry. These informatics jobs include business intelligence architect jobs and other roles in tech and data.

A biotechnologist reviews data on a computer. Biotechnology is a growing field in need of informatics professionals.

M.S. in Informatics alum Jason Suire earned his bachelor's in English before moving into tech.

Now, as a security architect for consulting firm CGI, he appreciates how informatics fits many fields.

鈥淓ven if you go into, say, political science, the statistical and procedural background is extraordinarily helpful in setting up strategies,鈥� he says. 

鈥淥perational sciences and research are good in any practice because it helps you break down the inner workings of a business.鈥� 

Career Opportunities in Informatics: Several individuals sit at computers with code on the screens.

  • Application development. Turn software needs into working code and maintain programs for business use.
  • Business intelligence architecture. Build rules that guide the creation, growth, and change of the IT system landscape.
  • Business process analysis. Support business process work by finding root causes, mapping current systems, and spotting ways to improve.
  • Database development and admin. Plan and manage database speed, integrity, and security, and solve user issues.
  • IT support. Handle troubleshooting, software maintenance, testing, network work, load balancing, scaling, vendor management, and more.
  • IT business management. Link a firm's technology tools to its business goals.
  • IT project management. Plan, budget, lead, and document projects while keeping each one on schedule.
  • Network security admin. Teach users about computer security, check for security problems, install protective software, and respond to cyberattacks.
  • Web development. Create the look, layout, and features of a website.

Unlock jobs in informatics through the M.S. in Informatics online or on-campus. .

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About this Author
Hope has worked with online students for more than five years, telling their stories and sharing tips for succeeding as an online student.

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