“I cannot overstate how the MS in Information Systems degree program has changed my life,” says Kelley School of Business alumnus, Lawrence Nah, as he laughs. “I am not saying this because I’m on the record or because I’m trying to brand the MSIS in any way. It really has written a brand new chapter of my life.”
Nah, MSIS‘10, is not exaggerating. His experience at Kelley has literally helped him write a new career story. His book, What’s Next: The International Student’s Guide to the U.S. College and Job Search Process, reminisces on his past college career, examines his current business success, and propels him into a new future of authorship and advocacy.
Like many international students, Nah aspired to come to the United States. “I felt that studying in the U.S. was a great way to learn from the people at the forefront of business,” he says. Nah chose to attend Kelley as an undergraduate because of its academic excellence and outstanding career services support.
While completing his undergraduate degree, Nah was counseled by Ramesh Venkataraman, former Chair of the MSIS Program, to make the most out of his potential. “I was drawn by Professor Ramesh’s level of engagement because he advocated helping international students, like me, to stand out.” Nah chose to pursue the one-year MSIS degree at Kelley because of the “sense of belonging” he found within the department.
For Nah, the greatest advantage of the Kelley MSIS degree is that “it offers a computer science level understanding, but it elevates the candidate in seeing how technology enables organization.” The MSIS degree transformed his life, he says, by giving him the confidence to speak about these new technologies, which enabled him to secure a management consultant position at Ernst and Young.
While recruiting at Kelley for EY, Nah mentored international students. He noticed a consistency in their questions and felt a deep desire to help as many students as he could. In What’s Next, Nah is an advocate for the international student in America. He passes along his experiences to help others like him to navigate the American educational experience.
“Nobody said that going to college and finding a job in the U.S. is easy, especially as an international student,” says Nah. “I felt that I could simplify the process. I could channel all my experiences into a book and help them through their process, as well.”
When asked if he would recommend the MSIS program to other international students, Nah gave a resounding “Absolutely!” Not only did he leave with strong degree and a “truly authentic American college experience,” but he also found the MSIS students and faculty, as well as the Kelley School of Business as a whole, to be welcoming to students of all backgrounds, “I am very proud to be part of an alumni community that embraces diversity.”
Leave a Reply