Effective leaders and managers must know how to deliver on their ideas in a measurable way, clearly communicate with all stakeholders, and understand how their roles and decisions fit into the broader landscape of the field. To achieve these competencies, there is no substitute for meaningful hands-on learning experiences that bridge learned theories and best practices.

AT CMU, YOU WILL:

• Move beyond the classroom and gain tangible skills through work opportunities both on- and off-campus, including research and teaching assistantships alongside our faculty experts.
• Solve an actual problem for a real-world client in your project courses, working with community, government, and nonprofit partners. Project work hones your ability to work effectively with a team. 
• Make meaningful connections through internships, many of which lead to full-time job offers.
• Apply your newly earned knowledge from class to immersive activities, workshops, events, and student clubs.

Not only do these opportunities crystallize concepts and strategies learned in coursework, they add highly marketable industry experience to your résumé prior to graduation.

REAL-WORLD PROJECTS

Information Systems students put theory into practice by completing semester-length, team-based projects.

In our project courses, you will gain confidence through valuable experience managing complex projects, working closely with teammates and client organizations, and dealing with the ambiguities inherent in every large-scale project.

In your junior year, you will work with a small group to design and implement an operational information system solution for a client organization—typically a non-profit, charitable, or education organization. While many projects are locally based, student teams often work with client and teammates in other states or countries. You will work with the realistic challenges and constraints of time, budget, changing expectations, and organizational styles.

Recent Client Organizations

INTERNSHIPS

Summer internships offer Information Systems students the oppurtunity to put their skills into practice. IS students have enjoyed working at a variety of organizations across the U.S.

Internships present you with the chance to apply what you’ve learned to real-life situations, gain exposure to your future field, build your résumé, and make lasting professional contacts.

Carnegie Mellon University welcomes major employers to campus. The centrally located Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) provides guidance and resources to assist IS students in identifying and applying to relevant internships and job opportunities.

Recent Internships

PROBLEM-DRIVEN RESEARCH & INDEPENDENT STUDY

As an Information Systems student, you have the opportunity to seek the solutions that matter most to you, conducting problem-driven research through "independent study" with a faculty member from across the university.

You may also pursue research at one of the university's leading research centers, including Metro21 Smart Cities Institute, the Block Center for Technology and Society, the PwC Risk and Regulatory 
Services Innovation Center, and CyLab Security & Privacy Institute.

For more information, contact Undergraduate Advising.

Learn More about undergraduate research

Study Abroad

Carnegie Mellon affords a number of ways for students to study abroad, and we strongly encourage students majoring in Information Systems (IS) to consider the opportunity. Given the global nature of software systems and services delivery, a semester abroad can give IS students new insights into the world marketplace of ideas, cultures and languages. In the past, IS students have studied in many locations including Australia, France, Israel, Qatar, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.