Views about information systems among North West University Mafikeng Campus management, administration and law students

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an investigation into the social differences between IS and non-IS students at NWU, Mafikeng Campus. It explores knowledge about IS by determining the level of computer knowledge and interaction, and other facts. These items influence students� choices between taking IS as a field of study and may increase career awareness of IS. It is assumed that students must have acquired computer knowledge (concepts) and computer skills (application) as they pursue their career. The problem is that non-IS students are not knowledgeable of computer hardware and software and would struggle. A quantitative research approach was used for this study. The findings in this study show that factors influencing students� choices from not taking or going into informatics field of study were related to higher salary and lower level of computer literacy. Students are also not informed of an IS career due to the lack of career orientation. The IS department should provide marketing strategies to increase IS career awareness.