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Kelley School of Business Indiana University Bloomington
MS in Information Systems

Alumni Q&A: Bryan Sacks, MSIS’11

Posted on by Tracy James

(MSIS Alumnus Bryan Sacks

 

Bryan Sacks, MSIS’11, knew pretty quickly that he’d made the right decision to pursue an MS in Information Systems at Indiana University. He landed a fantastic internship the first semester—a stark contrast to the bleak employment scene when he finished his undergraduate degree from another university during an economic downturn.

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“I went from not being able to get an interview with consulting firms to accepting a highly coveted internship,” he said. “The MSIS program provides opportunity, something that the student then needs to make the most of.”

Bryan’s performance in his internship lead to a full-time position after graduation, working in the cyber risk practice at Deloitte. Now, seven years after completing his MSIS, he’s chief information security officer for the State of Indiana. Bryan is responsible for establishing the vision and strategy for the state’s cybersecurity efforts. His responsibilities span the state’s Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IN-ISAC), the Security Operations Center (SOC), Security Operations and Engineering, as well as Risk & Compliance teams.

How did he get there so quickly? He points to Kelley’s MSIS program, where he thrived even though his undergrad was not IT-focused. Bryan came to Kelley as an out-of-state student but was confident that the MSIS program “would pay dividends for my career”—and it did so faster than he anticipated.

“It’s a progression,” he said. “The MSIS program prepared me to be a top tier consultant with a Big Four Firm. Without the coursework, case studies, business analysis, etcetera, I wouldn’t have achieved that level of success. One success births another.”

(more…)

Alumni Q&A: Kasie Kyle, MSIS’15

Posted on by Hannah Carroll

Kasie Kyle, MSIS'15

 

“I never thought of myself as techie,” said Kasie Kyle. “But I wanted to excel in businesses that focus on technology. I needed to understand that world and how to speak their language.”

For Kasie, the MS in Information Systems degree at the Kelley School of Business provided the technical, business, and managerial expertise to achieve her goals. Since graduating in 2015, she’s worked at top tech companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. She’s currently leading a team of 20 as Head of Content COP at PayPal.

It was an unlikely path for Kasie, who worked as a part-time event planner during her senior year as an entrepreneurship major at the Kelley School. When a staff member suggested she’d be a great fit for the Kelley MSIS program, she initially brushed it off.

“I loved business, but I wasn’t interested in engineering or development,” Kasie said. “But the more I learned about the program, the more it excited me. I thought, ‘this could propel my career.’ So I jumped in.”

Though many MSIS students bring technical experience, it’s not required. The program gives students from all backgrounds a strong technical foundation while developing skills in analysis, design, IT management, and strategy.

Without technical know-how, Kasie questioned she her ability to succeed in the MSIS program. Could she understand and keep up with coursework? Would she enjoy it?

“I found my classes intriguing, and I started to excel. I enjoyed figuring out solutions to problems,” Kasie said.

After 10 months, Kasie earned her MSIS degree and launched her career. She quickly realized the value of her experience and continues to credit the program with jump-starting her success.

“The Kelley MSIS experience is so hands-on and foundational that you will be ready to go to work on day one. I learned critical functional skills, and also soft skills that set me apart. I can speak confidently with executives, engineers, product managers, architects—anyone. It’s been beneficial to my credibility,” Kasie said.

“The Kelley MSIS program opened doors that I didn’t know existed.”

Alumni Q&A: Jacob Bailey, MSIS’18

Posted on by Jennifer Pacenza

 

As an alumnus of the Indiana University football team, Jacob Bailey, MSIS’18, knows the power of teamwork. That power—and his MS in Information Systems (MSIS) degree from the Kelley School of Business—has taken him from the gridiron to Grant Thornton.

Jacob was set to graduate with a four-year degree from Kelley, but his football commitment required an additional year at IU. Jacob seized the extra time to further his education: “I saw a big opportunity to get an MSIS degree on top of the technology management foundation I gained as an undergraduate.”

The MSIS program demonstrated to Jacob the value of teamwork in the business world. “I was part of a team from day one. I sat in every class with my team, and I worked with my team for at least half of the assignments. As a whole, it was a great learning experience that closely mimics the real world of business.”

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Alumni Q&A: Archana Subramanian, MSIS’09

Posted on by Kelley School

As Vice President of Operations at Salesforce, the world’s largest Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software company, Archana Subramanian navigates the realm where technology and business meet. Earning her MS in Information Systems from the Kelley School of Business provided the stepping stone she needed to launch her career.

“My MSIS degree completely changed my life,” Archana said. “I went from my best job prospects being a software engineer in India to VP of Operations at Salesforce.”

As an undergraduate student in India, she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. She enjoyed working with technology but realized she was not passionate about working behind the scenes as an engineer. During her final year of school, she made the decision to pursue a master’s degree. “I wanted to put technology in a business context and learn how it applies to business,” she said.

The MSIS program at Kelley was the perfect fit for her goals. “It was exactly what I was looking for to get to the next step in my career,” said Archana. “It had the right balance of technology and business.” (more…)

Alumni Q&A: Ashley Hillman, MSIS’15

Posted on by Kelley School

Kelley School of Business alumna Ashley Hillman, MSIS’15 is an eager advocate for the MS in Information Systems Program, convincing friends and strangers alike of its value. “It opens doors you didn’t even realize you wanted to walk through,” says Hillman. For Hillman, the unexpected twists and turns that rerouted her career opened up a whole new world of career opportunities.

As an undergraduate at Indiana University, Hillman pursued a major in psychology and a business minor. “Originally, I had planned on pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, which is essentially psychology of the business.”

One day after one of her minor classes in the Kelley School of Business, the professor called Hillman aside and told her to look into Kelley’s MS in Information Systems.
“I always had an interest in technology, but I had not heard of the MSIS program before,” explained Hillman. “But after talking to Bipin Prabhakar (Chair of the Information Systems Graduate Program), other faculty, and current MSIS students, I fell in love with MSIS.” (more…)

Alumni Q&A: Lawrence Nah, MSIS’10

Posted on by Kelley School

“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. (more…)

Alumni Q&A: Kerel Bradford, MSIS’15

Posted on by Kelley School

As a member of the 2012 national champion IU Men’s Soccer team, Kerel Bradford competed in a fast-paced environment. He maintained discipline. He communicated effectively with his teammates.

This team experience, Bradford says, was not unlike the MS in Information Systems program at the Kelley School of Business.

“I was accountable to my MSIS team. I depended on them and they supported me,” says Bradford, who graduated in 2015.

Bradford lives in Chicago and now works at KPMG in the management consulting practice, specifically the CIO Advisory. His one-year training in the MS in Information Systems prepared him to hit the ground running on day one. (more…)

Learning and Applying

Posted on by Kelley School

A few years ago, one of my teachers explained this topic of experiential learning to me. The concept stated that through applying your knowledge and conceptual learning to real-life problems you understand and grasp the initial learning much better. This method of learning really resonated with me as I have always enjoyed experimenting, trying new things and learning from life experiences.

Over the past 2 years, that is just what I have been doing. Through my undergraduate studies in Informatics to my studies in MSIS, I have transplanted my learnings from the classroom to my business, CareBand. CareBand is an innovative wearable technology for seniors suffering from Dementia and Alzheimer’s who are prone to wandering. It provides both caregivers and family members peace of mind and comfort, knowing that their loved ones are safe. Currently, there are about 5.2 million people suffering from Dementia, yet over the next 10 years, due to the baby boomer population, that number is expected to triple. Additionally, over 60% of those with Dementia will wander or get lost during their time with the illness. All of this together creates a big problem for many families looking to provide care for their loved ones. (more…)

Things I Didn’t Expect To Gain From Acquiring a Master’s Degree

Posted on by Kelley School

Andrew Dahm
MSIS class of 2016

When I made the decision to attend graduate school at Indiana University I had a few expectations in mind. I viewed these expectations as somewhat straightforward and commonplace among most students going on to higher education. I first and foremost expected to get a high paying job in the city I wanted to live in after graduation. I believed I was going to have to work harder than I ever had before. I definitely expected to not have much of a social life anymore, or at least the one I had become accustomed to during my undergraduate years. Finally, I thoroughly expected to view this degree as a means to generate a higher singling potential to employers. As I am nearing the end of my program, I am realizing that I should have expanded my expectations quite a bit.

Here is what I did not expect to gain from a master’s degree:

  • An actual education that I can apply to real life scenarios, instead of classes that have no correlation to the working world
  • Improved public speaking skills and confidence in front of employers
  • The ability to multi-task at a level only single mothers and quantum computers can appreciate
  • Employers trying to sell to and impress me and not just the other way around
  • Free time to actually be a human and have friends
  • Finally growing up, even though I have tried to convince myself for years that I was already a real adult
  • Doing social activities around campus that did not involve a party or Greek life
  • Attending more athletic events
  • Making friends with professors during and outside of class
  • Having fun in general as a student

Yes, the expectations I had before attending my graduate program were mostly correct. I, however, did not expect the experiences I listed above to happen. Graduate School is one of the best decisions I have ever made and especially the best decision I have made involving my future and career. I strongly encourage any student struggling over the decision whether or not to take the Graduate plunge to realize there is a lot more to Graduate School than you’re going to expect.

Fall 2015 Semester Reflection

Posted on by Kelley School

Given that this semester is already nearing the halfway point and my 5th year in Bloomington, Indiana is coming to a close, I saw it fitting to jot down some memories and helpful hints for those of you just starting either in undergrad or graduate school.

I am currently in the MSIS graduate program at IU. I majored in Economics as an undergrad and am originally from Fort Wayne. I am headed to Chicago this summer to start a new leg of my journey at Hitachi Consulting.

I want to reflect a little on my last (almost) 5 years. I started this journey on the doorsteps of Phi Gamma Delta, as freshman are inclined to live in the house in their freshman year. I then begin a spree of joining clubs and rushing to get involved before I really even knew what was out there. Luckily for me, I joined the right ones. But I suggest taking a little while to figure out what you enjoy and want to do in life before you starting showing up to call out meetings. From there, I spent the next several years enjoying fraternity life, dance marathons, and a Marine Corps Officer program. It wasn’t until towards the end of my junior year that life became a little derailed. (more…)

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