Qualification requirements for entry-level IT positions and IS curriculum: A literature review

Abstract

Information Technology (IT) is a dynamic field with constant emerging innovations. Demands for IT talents are growing as IT becomes ubiquitously present in all aspects of work and life. Information Systems (IS) faculty have the responsibility to prepare IS students for entry-level IT positions. Therefore, faculty need to understand what skills are required by employers, which is critical for keeping IS curriculum relevant to the current IT job market. We conduct an extensive literature review on the skills needed for entry-level IT positions, and relevant IS curriculum issues. We discover several salient themes and classify them into the following categories: Historic and big-picture overview, Skills-curriculum gap, IT specializations, Various skills, Job offer and employer characteristics, and Challenge of work-life-education balance for students. This research contributes to IS education field by summarizing the extant research on skills demanded by the industry. This study can assist faculty to improve, and redesign IS curriculum to be more relevant. This paper also helps IS students comprehend the vast scope and diverseness of the IT field, the historical trends, and the current skills in high demand.