AlexKelleyPDP
From Information Systems at Pitt Business
Personal development plan
Ten years from now, my goal is to be recognized as a reliable information systems manager-consultant, specialized in Internet and database security. Since this can easily be targeted towards the financial sector, I’m choosing Finance as my MBA concentration, and IS Management as my MS-MIS specialization.
I am particularly interested in the way banks, other financial institutions, and Internet-based companies design and manage their databases to insure security of personal information. In addition to this, I would like to work in the Eastern-Europe area, for two main reasons. First, I was born and spent more than 20 years of my life in an Eastern-European country (Romania), which gives me knowledge of the cultural customs and practices in that area. Second, given the fact that Eastern Europe is, comparatively to Western Europe and the US, just starting to implement information systems, I believe that there is a high potential for development.
Knowledge:
At the top of my list is getting more information in the specific sector of information systems and information security (see Learning). I am also planning to learn a little more on computer programming, this will give me a more in depth understanding of implementing information systems (I will take the BMIS 2582 – Structured Business Programming course in the first semester of my second year at Katz). During the BMIS 2051 Project Management course and BMIS 2034 IS Planning I am hoping to obtain a wide knowledge base of management in the information systems field.
Practice
By the end of the first year, I will have participated in at least one case competition as the IS specialist (as a mixed team). Also, since in my job I will need to be able to give powerful presentations – and I see this as an extremely important tool towards my future goal – I will participate in the Toastmasters meetings.
During my summer internship, I will gain hands-on experience in a competitive environment. My companies of choice would be PNC Bank (for banking security) or Deloitte (for IS consultancy), but I realize that other companies in the field would be just as helpful in my future career.
Learning
The courses at Katz School of Business will provide a starting point for individual study. I will be reading the Wall Street Journal and other publications specialized in IS. Also, the summer internship will help with my learning, along with information gained from Katz alumni that are currently working as IS specialists (see Networking). Last, but not by far the least important, I am planning on getting certified in my future area of expertise (CCNA etc.).
Dialog
After I am more confident in the subject, I would like to collaborate with different publications, on current IS issues, thus also gathering visibility. This is not quite a short-term (this year) plan, but instead addresses the following couple years of my development.
My internship will put me in contact with decision makers at the IS levels of companies. Also, the case competition(s) that I’m going to participate in will help me think about specific problems that need not only an in depth analysis, but viable solutions, too. I am planning on finding more information on possible debates on IS-related issues, but I probably wouldn’t be ready to participate in any until the second year of the MBA/MS-MIS program (during the first one I am trying to enlarge my information area).
Networking
The first step here is to create strong relationships with my professors; they will probably be able to give me ideas on possible directions and guidance on following steps. By the end of the first year, I intend to contact at least three Katz alumni that are working in IS management in various companies in the United States, Europe and Asia. I am confident that they would provide essential and specific information on actions to take to more visible to potential employers.
Reputation
This subject summarizes my other points. They all meet in the gaining visibility and credibility area. The case competitions will present me as a serious student. My future collaboration with specialized publications will bring me forward as a known name. I am very interested in the BIND 2504 – International Research – Europe, as that will contribute in three main fields: learning, practice and overall visibility.
Conclusions
Finally, I would like to add that this development plan and the curriculum plan are both subjects to changes and improvements, direct function of my increasing awareness of the IS management overall. The selected courses are also changeable, depending on when Katz School of Business will offer them (spring or autumn semesters).
(The poster presentation for the development plan is also available).
