
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.