MS in Information Systems – Create momentum in your education and career

The art of business: Karina Bhargava, MSIS’24, brings creativity to the tech industry

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Kelley School

Art has always been part of Karina Bhargava’s life. Her mother, an artist, encouraged her to use creativity from a very young age. This natural inclination toward creativity and her ability to face challenges headfirst led Karina to the Kelley School of Business, where she majored in marketing for undergrad.

Person wearing a coral-colored, puff-sleeve top and a silver necklace, posed against a plain gray background.

I’ve always been drawn to the creative side of structured work—things like marketing, web design, and crafting thoughtful presentations,” Karina said. “I wanted to take those strengths and channel them into something strategic that drives change.”

How does someone with this creative, marketing-focused background find herself pursuing a tech-heavy degree in the MS in Information Systems (MSIS) program?

Right brain, meet left brain
As far as Karina was concerned, those two different areas of business were not mutually exclusive.

Exploring tech wasn’t about leaving marketing behind but enhancing it with tools that empower me to innovate, collaborate, and lead in more dynamic ways.”

During her time in the MSIS program, Karina built upon her foundation in marketing, gaining a better understanding of both business strategy and technology. At the end of the MSIS Core semester, her team won the Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) case competition, for which she spent considerable time developing their prototype.

She also got involved as the president of Women in Tech, an official MSIS organization focused on professional development and educating young women on technology careers. Her favorite moment in this role was leading a panel that interviewed Janet Foutty, former CEO at Deloitte. Overall, Karina feels she gained so much from her MSIS experience.

Developing technical skills has given me a more holistic perspective—not just on how products are marketed but on how they’re built, scaled, and improved.”

More than a hobby
Karina, also an artist, did not start producing her own pieces in earnest until she was in college, where it mainly served as a break from her studies.

Two-page magazine spread titled "The Artist Behind the Cover." The left page features colorful watercolor splashes at the top and an interview in pink text. The right page shows a person seated, holding a vibrant watercolor painting of someone surrounded by butterflies. A quote in cursive script appears at the bottom.

At first, it was a way to balance the analytical intensity of business school and engage my creative senses.”

However, as people began commissioning her for custom artwork, she was inspired to take the hobby more seriously. One client who had consistently supported her work was Ascendant Health, who later reached out to collaborate with her. This led to an opportunity to have her work featured in Ascendant Health Magazine’s 2025 Spring edition. Karina enjoys working with other creators and describes the collaboration as a meaningful experience.

Each piece I create is deeply personal—a reflection of my inner process and a story that goes beyond the surface.”

Settling into her career
Since graduating in May 2024, Karina has relocated to Boise, Idaho, and started a new role at HP. She still uses the skills she acquired while getting her bachelor’s degree.

Spring 2025 issue of Ascendant Health & Wellness Magazine. The cover art is a watercolor illustration of a serene person with closed eyes, surrounded by butterflies, in shades of blue and peach. The title "Ascendant Health" appears at the top, with featured article topics listed along the bottom.

My marketing background is a key asset in my current role as a training and communications program manager on the Go-To-Market team for Managed Solutions Global Category. I lead several internal communications initiatives where clarity, engagement, and visual appeal are essential.”

Karina also utilizes the things she learned during her time in the MSIS program, saying that although her strengths aren’t necessarily considered typical in the tech space, they are exactly what make her stand out. She credits the program with enhancing her career prospects.

MSIS also gave me the technical foundation and confidence to pursue roles I wouldn’t have considered before and ultimately helped me get to where I am in my career today.”

As Karina’s story demonstrates, you don’t have to be an information systems major to be successful in MSIS. A sizeable portion of Kelley’s undergraduate majors are represented in the program. Technology is relevant in every industry, and MSIS serves as an opportunity for anyone looking to enhance their technical skills.

Discover what MSIS can do for you

Meet the MSIS team

Information systems career spotlight: Rebecca Ronning, MSIS’25, Technology Consultant, EY

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Mary Thomason-Smith

Rebecca Ronning, MSIS’25, brought purpose and precision to each step of her job search. From networking early and researching a top firm that piqued her interest to connecting with MS in Information Systems (MSIS) alumni who offered her valuable advice, Rebecca took full advantage of the career support offered to students in the MSIS program. Hear directly from Rebecca about the ways you can advance your career trajectory with the Kelley MSIS:

Approach networking as a discovery process

“The recruiting process was challenging yet rewarding. An MSIS alum advised me to treat networking like a required homework assignment. Adopting this mindset helped me keep networking a priority as the MSIS Core started ramping up. I reframed my approach to the job search as something valuable in and of itself—not just a means to an end. Approaching each conversation as an opportunity to learn about an industry, explore different career paths, or find future mentorship opportunities (instead of just hoping for a referral) made those chats more authentic—and honestly, more fun—for both me and the person I was talking to. I feel great about the outcome, and it reflects all the hard work I put into it.”

Do your research—through conversations, experiential learning opportunities, and more

“I made a ton of networking calls and researched EY ahead of time. The MSIS program staff and the career services team were incredibly helpful in prepping for the EY interview’s technical parts. Thanks to their support, I was able to focus on building a real connection with the interviewer and the company. I went into it feeling relatively comfortable as a result, which made for a more natural and engaging conversation and a well-received case interview. Beth Barnhart was an amazing and supportive career coach who played a large part in the success of my interview. Completing my MSIS Capstone Project for EY made me even more excited to work there.”

Tap into the MSIS alumni network of support

“My Little 500 teammate Kensington Knowling, MSIS’21, works for EY as a technology risk consultant, and she encouraged me to remember that there’s a light at the end of the job-search tunnel. Anna Schilling, MSIS’18, an AI senior manager for Accenture, shared inspiring advice for managing the intensity of the Core, as well as how to find your niche in such a wide-ranging information systems industry.”

Trust the process

“Networking played the biggest role in my career outcome, opening my eyes to roles that interested me. It’s one part of the recruiting process you can control as an incoming student. Start networking early to learn, connect, and explore—you never know where one conversation will lead. The rigor of the program, combined with the overwhelmingly supportive environment, takes you to the next level. My year in the MSIS program developed me into a confident leader and teammate—and offered me more than I could’ve ever imagined.”

Like Rebecca, you can gain a winning edge with the Kelley MS in Information Systems. Connect with us to learn how you can earn an MSIS to accelerate your career trajectory. Schedule a visit in person or online, or contact msis@iu.edu with your questions.

Information systems internship spotlight: Ellen Abdullah, MSIS’25, SAP Intern, Under Armour

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Mary Thomason-Smith

Ellen Abdullah, MSIS’25, understands that there is power in persistence. With a Bachelor of Arts in Media and a concentration in film, television, and digital production, Ellen entered the MS in Information Systems program at Kelley to broaden her career possibilities. While she’ll graduate this December, she’s using the summer to gain valuable experience in systems, applications, and products in data processing (SAP) as an intern at Under Armour. Hear directly from Ellen about how she secured this exciting opportunity, as well as her tips for navigating the internship search:

Practice builds confidence and readiness

“Landing my internship at Under Armour took preparation plus time. I applied through Handshake and was invited to interview during finals week—the busiest time of the fall semester. The interview prep I did earlier in the semester made all the difference. Throughout the semester, I spent hours refining my resume and practicing interview skills. Taking these steps early helped me feel confident and ready, even while balancing last-minute exam prep.” 

Find motivation from the MSIS community

“In complete transparency, my internship search process was long and rigorous. It required showing up again and again. One of the biggest challenges was staying motivated through uncertainty. Leaning on my network of MSIS peers, alumni, and staff for encouragement was very helpful. I’m grateful for the internship opportunity with Under Armour—and I’m proud of my persistence.”

Coach with experienced MSIS staff

“Bill Harness, the MSIS director of Student Success, met with me throughout my entire internship search. He encouraged me when the process felt overwhelming, helped prepare me for my interview with Under Armour, and supported me as I navigated the offer and acceptance process. Having access to this individualized support is one of the greatest strengths of the MSIS program. Bill’s guidance made a meaningful impact on my journey.”

Develop your skills through hands-on learning experiences

“Early in the MSIS program, I participated in the EY Case Competition. I learned how to create a clear and compelling presentation deck with ease—and present it confidently to a professional audience. Through the competition, I learned to meet tight deadlines, develop presentations with structure and clarity, and how to present them with poise. Later, in my Under Armour internship, I participated in a case competition where my team had just 48 hours to prepare and deliver solutions to members of the executive team. We took first place.”

Stretch beyond your comfort zone

“The MSIS program is a transformational experience that goes far beyond classroom technical skills. The rigor of the coursework pushes you to discover what you’re truly capable of—and it’s equipped me with a level of professional confidence that now feels second nature.”

Like Ellen, you can gain a winning edge with the Kelley MS in Information Systems. Connect with us to learn how you can earn an MSIS to accelerate your career trajectory. Schedule a visit in person or online, or contact msis@iu.edu with your questions.

Learning without borders: MSIS students share highlights of India visit

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Brittany Marshall

MSIS, India, Global IT Sourcing & Management, global immersion

Kelley MSIS students travel to India while completing the Global IT Sourcing & Management elective course.

Each spring, Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) students enrolled in the Global IT Sourcing & Management elective course have the unique opportunity to take their learning far beyond the classroom. For 10 days, they immerse themselves in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech hubs—India.

The experience is a powerful combination of professional exposure and cultural immersion. In addition to visiting leading tech firms, students explore bustling markets, historical landmarks, and activities like learning how to make butter chicken.

For many, it’s their first taste of international travel. For others, it’s a challenge to previously held assumptions about global collaboration. Gaining firsthand experience in a country known for its role in IT service delivery offers students new insights into the tech industry—and into themselves.

Several students from the course this spring share highlights about business norms, social empowerment, and the value of global immersion:

Charlie O’Connell, MSIS’25, on cultural differences in business norms

“Visiting Deloitte’s office in Bangalore was one of the most eye-opening parts of the trip. From the beginning, it was evident how proud the team was of their work and impact, which they shared openly and confidently. Their readiness to tailor the session to our questions and discuss their career paths candidly made it feel more like a conversation than a presentation. However, what stood out the most was observing how business norms are different across cultures. While meetings in the US typically focus on minimizing interruptions, our hosts demonstrated that stepping out to take a call can signify responsiveness and dedication in a different context.

 Experiencing these differences in a real-world setting made me rethink what it means to work globally. It showed me that cultural awareness isn’t just a soft skill; it’s a true advantage. This trip provided me with a perspective that you simply can’t gain in a classroom, and I know it will help me become a more thoughtful and adaptable consultant in the future.”

Pranav Nair, MSIS’25, on the implications of tech stacks as a public good

“During our guest lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, a professor discussed India’s approach to digital infrastructure, particularly the government-led initiative to make digital platforms public goods. He emphasized Aadhaar, India’s biometric digital ID system; UPI; and other open-access technologies that form the backbone of what they called the ‘India Stack.’ It was an ambitious vision where digital tools are developed with the intent of democratizing access to services. 

Later, I asked the professor whether the government ever considered privatizing elements of the India Stack or charging fees for usage, and his response was quick and firm: ‘This is not just about business. It is about empowerment. That really stuck with me. This has profound implications for how entrepreneurs operate and how public-private partnerships are structured. The professor talked about reducing digital inequality and creating platforms that small businesses and citizens could use freely.”  

Natalie Frank, MSIS’25, on the value of humility and simply paying attention

“I co-majored in international business in undergrad, have taken global commerce courses, and have even studied abroad twice: once for a full semester in Barcelona and another two-week experience in Ireland. Both of those trips shaped my perspective in different ways, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the kind of deep cultural contrast I felt in India.

From global corporations like Amazon and Deloitte to tech giants like Infosys, SAP Labs, and EY, each stop revealed layers of cultural nuance that added context to what we’ve learned about India’s tech growth. These insights already shape how I interact in global spaces. They remind me to pause, to observe, and to ask questions rather than assuming my way is the default. As a future IT consultant, I think this habit of humility will serve me well in cross-cultural client relationships. If anything, India taught me that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply pay attention.”

MSIS students on this trip learned that India is harnessing technology not just to drive economic progress, but also as a powerful tool for social empowerment. And while lectures and site visits provided a front-row seat to India’s digital transformation, the cross-cultural experience gave students a richer worldview, deepened their empathy, and broadened their understanding of what it truly means to operate in a global context.

Students gain insights to tech growth in India while visiting EY Global Delivery Services.

Why consider MSIS and this course?

The MSIS program equips students with both technical expertise and strategic insight to succeed in today’s technology-driven business environment. With a dynamic mix of coursework, practical experience, and global perspectives, it prepares graduates for high-impact careers in IT, consulting, data analytics, and beyond.

This elective goes beyond the typical classroom experience. It’s an immersive journey that connects academic concepts to real-world global applications. Students gain firsthand insights into IT sourcing decisions and observe how international teams collaborate, resulting in transformative learning.

What makes this experience truly impactful is the scholarship support available to selected students. These scholarships don’t just ease financial burdens—they open doors for those who might not otherwise have the chance to participate.

Whether you’re passionate about IT, curious about the world, or somewhere in between, this course will challenge and inspire you.

Learn more about the innovative MSIS Curriculum.

From the gridiron to government, Tim Weaver, MSIS’24, launches consulting career at Deloitte

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Mary Thomason-Smith

Tim Weaver is an MSIS student at the Kelley School of Business.

For most students, the transition from undergraduate studies to a demanding graduate program is a challenge. For Tim Weaver, the Kelley MS in Information Systems (MSIS) was a new chapter in a life already defined by discipline, high expectations, and a drive to succeed.

Meet Tim: An IU offensive lineman who landed a career with Deloitte

Trading in his shoulder pads and playbook for a consulting toolkit and a high-powered computer, Tim earned the Kelley MSIS and landed an exciting job offer—this summer he’ll join Deloitte as an analyst in the risk and financial advisory group within government and public services based in the Washington, D.C., area.

“With the high expectations of being a Big Ten offensive lineman, I had to learn how to act on and off the field,” Tim said. “That mindset, combined with the skills I gained from MSIS, will drive my success as I start my career.”

How did Tim go from blocking on the field for future NFL stars like Michael Penix Jr. and Peyton Hendershot to advising clients on risk and technology in the public sector? The Kelley MSIS appealed to Tim’s fascination with technology’s broader societal impact, an interest he pursued in his undergraduate degree in informatics at Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.

“I believe that technology is the biggest catalyst in society’s progression,” Tim said. “Learning how businesses use those capabilities seemed like the perfect next step.”

Fast-paced results are built into the MSIS

Throughout his MSIS journey, Tim grew not only academically, but personally and professionally, too. While the accelerated format and demanding coursework can be daunting for some, Tim embraced the rigor. The MSIS introduced new concepts and technologies that extended far beyond his undergraduate experience—equipping him for a career in tech consulting.

“It felt like I learned something new literally every single day,” Tim said. “I love the fact that you learn everything from top to bottom when it comes to how technology is applied in today’s world.”

Rising to the academic challenge

The transition from athlete to academic wasn’t without challenges. After years of balancing football with undergraduate studies, Tim knew how to manage time. The Kelley MSIS, however, required a different kind of discipline—one rooted in professionalism, critical thinking, and adaptability.

“My biggest challenge was learning how to maximize my brain’s capabilities in a consistent academic setting with high expectations,” he reflected. “Football taught me how to act on and off the field, but in MSIS, it’s about professionalism and academic excellence. My greatest success was trusting my professors, acting in a professional manner, and maximizing my academic achievement.”

A growth mindset became a hallmark of Tim’s MSIS journey. He didn’t just survive the pressure; he leaned into it.

“Your brain is pushed in MSIS,” he says. “But I’ve learned that the brain grows with adversity. Because of this, I welcomed the challenges with open arms and an open mind.”

By paying it forward, Tim’s influence continues at Kelley

Recognizing the potential toll that the intensive MSIS Foundations Core semester can take on students, Tim launched a peer support program designed to help first-year MSIS students navigate academic stress and mental health challenges.

“MSIS helped me learn how to translate my athletic experience to the ‘real world,’” he said. “I played football for 15 out of my first 21 years of life, and I knew it wouldn’t last forever. MSIS was perfect for me to transition from the world of competitive athletics to competitive academics, and eventually into the professional world.”

Always an athlete. Next up: Deloitte

Tim’s purposeful drive, combined with the technical and strategic knowledge he developed with the Kelley MSIS, made Tim a standout candidate for a Deloitte consulting career path.

As an incoming analyst for Deloitte, Tim is spending the few weeks before starting his new career at his former high school, working as a substitute teacher and coach for boys’ lacrosse, as well as coaching school-wide athletes in strength and conditioning.

Get where you want to go in your career

The MSIS program is designed to do for you what it did for Tim Weaver—build a bridge from passion to profession. Whether you arrive to the Kelley MSIS from a corporate internship, a computer science lab, or the football field, you’ll become prepared for lasting career success.

Discover how the Kelley MSIS can propel your career trajectory. Fill out our form to get more information or reach out to us at msis@iu.edu with your questions. We’re eager to talk about your career goals and how the Kelley MSIS can get you where you want to go.

This post was written by Katie Augsburger, MSIS’25. Katie began the MSIS program after earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

Kelley expands AI offerings in MS in Information Systems degree to prepare students for today’s careers

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Kelley School

Just as the internet and mobile phones have revolutionized how companies have evolved to doing business over the past 20 years, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how consumers interact with products and how companies operate. To address the strategic commercial use of AI technology, the MS in Information Systems (MSIS) program at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is expanding course offerings to further integrate AI training into the curriculum to prepare business professionals with the in-demand skills companies need.

“AI is a technology that can offer tremendous value to companies. We are teaching business students how to deploy those technologies to help businesses gain greater value,” said Bipin Prabhakar, clinical professor, chair of Information Systems Graduate Programs, and Fettig/Whirlpool Faculty Fellow. “From eliminating repetitive work to improving the consumer experience, AI has the potential to help companies meet their strategic goals and run more efficiently.”

New AI course offerings

The MSIS program has offered AI lessons within its curriculum for the past couple of years, but the latest updates now include an AI requirement for completion of the degree and two options to pursue concentrations in this area.

A new element of the program for all MSIS students is a core course exploring how AI technologies enable greater efficiency in business. Whether it’s programming a chatbot to effectively answer consumer questions or inputting employee work hours into an algorithm to alleviate a bottleneck, the Advanced AI Technologies course trains MSIS graduates to understand and use AI in business applications.

Through collaboration with corporate partners and alumni working in AI-related fields, Kelley faculty have introduced two new AI concentrations in the MSIS degree. Students can now pursue an AI concentration through two courses:

AI Technology Design, Deployment, and Use, which explores the technologies available for engineering the use of AI and what it means to use the technology responsibly by addressing privacy, security, governance, and compliance concerns.

Enterprise Process Intelligence, which focuses on bringing AI capabilities into business processes. By analyzing data from various back-end processes, such as procurement, production, payroll, and human resources, students learn to incorporate AI to understand process variations, efficiencies, bottlenecks, and how to improve the business.

The goal is for graduates of the MSIS program to bring into the workforce an understanding of both the technical aspects of how AI works as well as the strategic, ethical, and operational opportunities it provides. Through this training, info systems professionals will be able to support companies in implementing effective AI offerings.

“Business graduates should have some understanding of the technical aspects of AI. While they may not need to program the AI algorithms themselves, it’s important for them to understand the underlying technological aspects so they can implement this technology effectively,” said Hillol Bala, professor of information systems and the Conrad Prebys Professor. “The other side of managing AI is learning transparency and the ethical implications of this technology as well as any applicable regulations. That’s a major undertaking. Current business students who understand this modern landscape will be better leaders over the next 10 to 15 years, guiding us through the implementation and use of AI.”

The new courses offer significant practical implications as well as theoretical aspects of AI and machine learning. As companies explore adopting AI technologies to improve operations and customer access, they increasingly need professionals with expertise to develop and manage this work. It’s not enough to simply understand how to design, implement, and monitor AI technologies in a business; info systems professionals will also need to understand what it means for customers and staff to interact with AI and how it can be best designed for those interactions.

“The focus of what I teach is the human side of AI,” said Alan Dennis, professor of information systems and John T. Chambers Chair of Internet Systems. “The technology is changing so quickly that while professionals must understand the backend of this work, perhaps the most challenging part is how we, as humans, respond to the technology. How do we build it in a responsible way to achieve the best outcomes?

“For example, if an organization wants to deploy a digital human to interact with customers, you must decide: What does the digital human look like? Are they male or female? What’s their ethnicity, how are they dressed, what accents do they have? Do we let the users select these details? There are many user interface decisions that must be considered strategically because they have real business implications.”

In academia over the past several years, educators across the country have increasingly taken steps to determine whether the work students provide is their own and not AI-generated. On the contrary, Dennis teaches MSIS students how to use available technologies, including ChatGPT, to help them work smarter. Technology isn’t going away, he points out, so it’s important to train students how to use it effectively.

“Our students need to learn how to use artificial intelligence to complete their work with greater productivity than they could’ve without this technology because it is changing our world,” Dennis said. “AI is going to have the same impact on society as the internet and mobile phone did. It changed everything in about 5 to 10 years. It just takes a while for us to adjust the human processes.”

Artificial intelligence research in business

Kelley faculty members who teach in the MSIS Program are also leading research into the use of AI to better understand the technological aspects of AI, its economic impact, and how humans react to its use.

Bala’s research explores both the intended and unintended consequences of using AI technologies in various contexts. He’s investigating the use of AI in the job interview process and how various levels of transparency induce (or alleviate) stress. He’s also examined how the use of AI can lead to questionable behavior when validations are skipped during times of stress.

“My research projects work to understand how AI tools may or may not actually be beneficial,” said Bala, who is also the co-director of the Institute for Digital Enterprise at Kelley, which connects students, employers, and faculty to business applications of emerging technologies. “Hopefully this research will lead to major policy implications and other practical benefits down the road.”

Dennis’s research, on the other hand, focuses on new AI technology, specifically “conversational agents” such as chatbots, and their successful use in business. Most recently, this research has explored how well products with human features can sell themselves. The latest iteration of chatbot technology is a “digital human,” which offers consumers the look and feel of interacting with another person. Dennis’s research into digital humans investigates how people interact with this type of technology and when it is most appropriate, including how digital humans can be used internally for employee support.

“We’re looking at a couple different ways that digital humans can be deployed by companies. This could be as an individual agent, like any other team member, or as a personal assistant for each team member, one step removed from doing the actual work,” Dennis said. “There are many ways we can deploy these in business teams to help employers as well as customers.”

The importance of AI education in information systems

With many people already using Siri and Alexa voice assistants in their homes, society is well on its way to implementing additional forms of AI technology into daily life and commercial business. But that doesn’t mean everyone necessarily understands the best use cases for these technologies or how they function. That’s why the updated MSIS curriculum is focused on training students in both.

“AI is a black box technology–it’s extremely complicated and users may not intuitively understand how it works in the way that we may understand how our cell phones bounce signals off towers,” said Bala. “If you type a prompt into ChatGPT, it’s not easy to explain or see how it generates that text based on your prompt. To me, that makes AI ethics, responsible AI, explainable AI, and AI policy very critical in the next decade. If we don’t do it properly, we will see unintended consequences. Ethics will be a huge part of it moving forward.”

For MSIS students, this knowledge will be advantageous in pursuit of roles in technology consulting and business transformation. Equipped with training in how to implement and deploy AI, these professionals will be able to help companies do business better. Some of those businesses already at the forefront of understanding AI implications have been partnering with the MSIS program at the Kelley School to develop this curriculum and offer real-world use cases. Global professional services company Accenture, data processing company Celonis, consumer health company KenVue, global software company UiPath Inc., and AI startup CausaLens are among the employer partners who have collaborated with the Kelley School on the AI offerings.

“Companies are looking to recruit students who understand this technology because they need professionals who understand the real business issues that businesses are facing,” Dennis said. “Certainly, they need to know how to build AI, but the tough question is, ‘How do I change my business to get value out of AI?’ That’s what everyone’s learning.”

Beyond the MSIS program, the Kelley School also offers a six-week executive education course on The Rise of AI, for which Dennis is an instructor, to offer professional certification on the topic. In the future, MSIS program leaders are exploring adding additional courses in cybersecurity and robotic process automation to continue to offer a leading-edge education that prepares students to lead now and in the future.

MSIS degree turns classically trained flautist into associate solution engineer

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Brittany Marshall

MSIS graduate, Ashley (HsiaoYuan) Chen, describes her experience transitioning from classically trained flautist to associate solution engineer.

Ashley Chen, MSIS’23, embarked on her journey as a flautist over 15 years ago and earned her bachelor’s degree in music from the Jacobs School of Music. While her love and passion for music amplified over the years, the pandemic presented an unexpected career interest.

“The pandemic was a turnaround time for me,” Chen says. “All live performances were canceled, and it was also when my father implemented a new ERP system which transformed his business. Intrigued by it, I decided to explore alternate career possibilities. I knew Kelley’s MSIS program would be the right fit to explore diverse areas.”

Hands-on experience leading to a solution engineer career path

The MSIS technology bootcamp helped her build strong conceptual foundations, and despite being new to programming languages, she felt confident going into the Core semester.

In addition to her studies, Chen worked part time as a graduate assistant and IT Help Desk Support at Kelley and interned as a technology analyst at Kanaan & Associates. The internship provided her with real-world business experience and served as a valuable stepping stone to kickstart her career in the technological space, she explained.

“The skills I gained through the MSIS program were highly transferrable—I could straightaway apply what I learned toward my work at Kanaan.”

Ashley Chen, MSIS’23, embarked on her journey as a flautist over 15 years ago and earned her bachelor’s degree in music from the Jacobs School of Music.

“I was very fortunate to have great teammates throughout the MSIS program, and one of the biggest takeaways was being able to effectively work in a team of people coming from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and opinions.”

Graduate career services that excel among management information systems graduate programs

Chen also attributes part of her success to Kelley’s Graduate Career Services. She emphasizes that students should be proactive when scheduling interview preparation and coaching sessions.

“The GCS coaches are a valuable resource, and I would highly recommend everyone make the most of them.”

Following her passion for technology, Chen earned a position at Appian Corporation as an associate solution engineer in January 2023 and has since been promoted to a full-time solution engineer.

Learn more about the MSIS program.

Kelley professor seeking to understand human interactions with artificial intelligence, works with information systems students to ask the tough questions

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Brittany Marshall

Dennis is a professor of Information Systems and the John T. Chambers Chair of Internet Systems at Kelley.

“Kelley is a major league,” Professor Alan Dennis says. “It not only has a strong national and a global footprint, but also excels in all major areas of research, nurtures high quality of students, and boasts diversity of coursework.”

Dennis said Kelley School of Business faculty produce influential research while educating students.

Dennis’ areas of research and awards

Dennis is a professor of Information Systems and the John T. Chambers Chair of Internet Systems at Kelley. His research focuses on four core areas: cybersecurity, team collaboration, artificial intelligence, and fake news on social media. He is currently studying human interactions with AI and exploring, “Why is fake news published?”

During his teaching journey, he’s completed 150 research papers with more than 30,000 citations and authored four books, including Systems Analysis and Design and Network Architecture.

His work has won him many awards, including 20 highly revered awards for theoretical and applied research acknowledged in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and USA Today. He has been recognized among the top 1% most impactful scientists in the world across all disciplines and was chosen as a Fellow of the Association for Information Systems in 2012.

Teaching in the MSIS program

“I’m extremely fond of the MSIS program,” Dennis says. “It was 2002 when I first taught the MSIS program. I have looked forward to teaching classes every day ever since. I would attribute this to the exceptionally brilliant students I get to interact with every year.

“I walk in with the intent of teaching and somehow end up learning more. I’ve been fortunate to work with such sharp minds around me who ask questions that force me to think beyond the box. MSIS is truly a close-knit community, and I’m very glad to be a part of it.”

Kelley MSIS students, according to him, know no bounds. “Tenacity, perseverance, and willingness to learn always win here.”

Learn more about our faculty and programs in MSIS.

From dancing to system engineering: Urvi Sethia shares her MSIS experience

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Brittany Marshall

Urvi Sethia, MSIS’23, is classically trained in Bharatnatyam, an Indian classical dance.

Urvi Sethia, MSIS’23, is classically trained in Bharatnatyam, an Indian classical dance. Dancing, she said, feeds her soul. But problem-solving and management drive her career passions.

The Kelley MS in Information Systems program enabled Sethia to put those passions to work.

Her on-ramp to a systems engineer career path

Sethia sought graduate business education opportunities that would help her improve and advance her career. She discovered the MSIS summer Jumpstart program, which provides students with a solid foundation for graduate coursework in business and was excited by the opportunity to work with other students of academically diverse backgrounds.

“I studied with a computer science major, a fashion major, a finance major, a psychology major; all under the same roof. Being new to programming languages never became an impediment for me to excel in the course, and the summer bootcamps prepared me for the Core. It was the best time to learn technical skills from scratch.”
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Meet Associate Professor Jingjing Zhang, business intelligence expert who enjoys learning from students

Posted on March 12, 2024 by Brittany Marshall

Nothing beats the quality of discussion and insights that the students bring to the classroom every day, which drives me to pursue my passion for teaching even further.

Professor is smiling. She teaches in the Master's of Science in Information Systems program at IU.

At Kelley, Zhang teaches business intelligence and analytics to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.

For Associate Professor of Information Systems Jingjing Zhang, these dynamic classrooms in the MS in Information Systems program fuel her passion for teaching.

“I taught Introduction to Data Mining during my first year at Kelley, which was about 10 years ago, and what an incredible journey it has been,” she said. “Teaching some of the sharpest minds and learning from them is the best part of it.”

Research focus: consumer decision-making and financial behavior

Zhang pursued her PhD in Management Information Systems from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management in 2012, and her early research included studying personalized recommendations and their impact on human behavior and relationships with them.

At Kelley, Zhang teaches business intelligence and analytics to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students.

She specializes in analytics, statistics, machine learning, and deep learning. Her research is focused on consumer decision-making and financial behavior. (more…)

Dennis’ areas of research and awards

Teaching in the MSIS program

Her on-ramp to a systems engineer career path

Research focus: consumer decision-making and financial behavior

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