Information Systems Specialists

Formal Description

“Information systems specialists analyze, test and assess systems requirements, develop and implement information systems development plans, policies and procedures, and provide advice on a wide range of information systems issues. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors, or they may be self-employed.” (NOC 2021)

Sample Job Titles

This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:

Technical Project Manager

Digital Accessibility Specialist

Solutions Architect - Information Technology (IT)

Software Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst

Data Processing Consultant

Applications Analyst - Computer Systems

Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Auditor

Informatics Consultant

Typical Employment and Education Requirements

The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.

The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, business administration or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science is usually required.
Experience as a computer programmer is usually required.
Certification or training provided by software vendors may be required by some employers.
A professional certification such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or another related information technology (IT) designation.

Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond

When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:

Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.

Explore related Graduate Certificates or other relevant avenues for further education.

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Related Categories

Here are a few other categories that might interest you:

Business Development Officers & Market Researchers and Analysts

Business Management Consultants

Related Sectors

Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:

Careers in Organizations

Careers In the Public Service

Careers in the Higher Education Sector

Browse More Options by Sector

Academic Program Connections

As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:

Economics Learn More

Economics teaches how financial systems operate, equipping analysts with knowledge of market trends, resource allocation, and economic forecasting. A strong foundation in economics allows analysts to create systems that enhance efficiency, predict market shifts, and support corporate strategy.

Sociology Learn More

Sociology explores human behaviour, social structures, and cultural trends, helping analysts design user-friendly and inclusive information systems. By integrating sociological insights, analysts can create ethical, socially responsible technologies that align with user needs and behaviours.

Environment & Society Learn More

Environment & Society focuses on sustainability, environmental policies, and geographic information systems (GIS), preparing analysts to work on climate-related data solutions. A background in environmental studies enables analysts to build systems that support sustainable development, policy analysis, and ecological research.

Health, Aging & Society Learn More

Health & Society examines healthcare systems, patient data management, and public health analytics, making it highly relevant for health-focused information systems. With expertise in health systems, analysts can develop secure, efficient platforms that support medical research, healthcare administration, and policy-making.

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Careers & Experiential Education