Category: MSITM

Student Spotlight: Rathi Kannan, #TXMS IT & Management

by emilyschatzle

Photo of MSITM student Rathi KannanUndergraduate University: University of Madras

Undergraduate Major: Electrical and Electronics Engineering

About Rathi: I was born in India and spent most of my life in Chennai and later in the Bay Area working in tech for banking and retail companies. I have been a life-long math aficionado, and continued to be a part-time math instructor until I joined UT. I moved to Austin at the start of the summer semester and it has been quite an exciting change. Growing up in Chennai, I was always in the middle of different music seasons and I get a similar vibe here in Austin!

Proudest Accomplishment: It has been my lifelong desire to do Master’s in a world-renowned school. Work and family commitment took most of my time away and when COVID hit, I got time to reprioritize. I was proud to receive scholarship for an MBA program at a UC school but felt even prouder when the UT Austin admit came along. It has really been a dream come true for me. Experiencing the learning process through highly skilled faculty and through my fellow go-getter classmates is such a rewarding experience – I am so proud to be a Longhorn!

Why did you choose the MSITM Program? I started off by teaching myself Python, R, and ML (machine learning) through several online forums. I wasn’t totally convinced that by merely posting my certifications on online forums I was making progress. I was looking for a brand tagged against my resume and a more hands-on learning, so I decided to take my learning process several leaps ahead and started looking at MS programs and also some STEM-focused MBA programs. The MSITM course curriculum felt like it would open up a plethora of opportunities and introduce me to several emerging technologies which were beyond my comfort zone. Given that I have work experience in tech, I wanted to stay close to tech and also be ready for leadership roles. I felt that MSITM offered this mix with a significantly more technical composition which was exactly what I was looking for.

What have you enjoyed during your time in the program? I have absolutely enjoyed the action during the last couple of semesters. There’s more doing than talking. I appreciate that there is repeated reinforcement of technical concepts from different perspectives across various courses. Non-technical courses are oriented towards solving business problems. The playing field is not level for sure, some students know more than others but I see that as an advantage and have enjoyed learning different technical approaches and absorbing different lines of thought while doing group projects and assignments.

Student Spotlight: Cole Trevor-Wilson, #TXMS IT & Management

by emilyschatzle

headshot of Cole Trevor-WilsonUndergraduate University: University of Texas at Austin

Undergraduate Major: Management Information Systems

About Cole: I am from San Antonio, Texas. I interned as a technology consultant for Protiviti, was a technology product intern for Camp Gladiator, and worked for the MS Programs Office as a technician-analyst. I am playing in my final season for the UT men’s soccer team this year. For fun, I like to explore restaurants around Austin, paddleboard, and play disc golf with friends.

Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment was playing college soccer at UT Dallas before I transferred to UT Austin. My family sacrificed a lot of me to be able to travel and play across the US, so it was an accomplishment that was a long time in the making and I am glad I had the opportunity to experience it.

Why did you choose the MSITM program? I felt like there was more for me to learn after I completed my undergrad coursework, and the MSITM program at UT was the most logical option for me since I could apply as a Bridge student. I also wanted the opportunity to increase my value to companies as I came out of college.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to creating lasting relationships with my MSITM peers, learning more about emerging technologies, and gaining experience in a applying these technologies to real-world business applications. I am also looking forward to expanding my knowledge in cybersecurity.

Student Spotlight: Ella Akl, #TXMS IT & Management

by emilyschatzle


Photo of Ella

Undergraduate University: George Mason University

Undergraduate Major: Information Technology

About Ella: I am a DC-native with a passion for technology and a love for helping others. I pride myself on being driven and adaptable, which are two qualities I strongly believe attributed to my being where I am today. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in IT and now I am here, in the MSITM program, where I get the chance to learn all of the latest technologies hands-on and how those can be leveraged in business operations! Having witnessed the rapid growth and widespread adoption of technology, I became intrigued by the endless possibilities on how it could change the world and knew I wanted to be a part of that exciting movement. One day I envision myself helping businesses achieve their goals by being client-focused and technically apt in designing necessary solutions to their business challenges. In my free time, you can find me doing water activities, hiking, photography, or spending time with friends and family. I love new experiences, meeting new people, and always looking for ways to maximize my social circle. I have a very optimistic viewpoint and thrive on laughter and finding life’s joys, no matter how small.

Proudest Accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment has been my move to Austin, TX to start my journey in the MSITM program. Prior to my move, I had never lived away from my parents and the comfort of “home,” so I thought this change was a great way to push myself out of my comfort zone. While I was excited for something new, there were many hurdles along the way, such as moving amidst the pandemic, never having been to Texas before, and not knowing a soul in Austin. Knowing that getting my Master’s degree from the McCombs School of Business was something I undoubtedly wanted and worked hard for, I was willing to take that leap of faith and tackle those uncertainties and fears. After living in Austin for the last few months, I have surprised myself every step of the way with my adaptability and I can proudly say that my journey here so far has been the best time of my life!

Why did you choose the MSITM Program? Coming from a technical background, I knew I wanted to find a graduate program that would provide exposure to the business side of technology. I searched long and hard for a school that offered such a curriculum which eventually led me to find MSITM. This program is a perfect blend of technical coursework combined with a strong business core, both of which are needed to successfully solve pain points. The tech-nerd in me is exhilarated by the program’s cutting-edge curriculum which focuses on emerging technologies taught by some of the most brilliant professors in the industry. Simply put, the quality of education that you receive at McCombs is unmatched. My decision to choose the MSITM program was the easiest decision I have ever made!

What are you most looking forward to this year? Being in the MSITM program is like being a kid in a candy store – there is so much to be excited about every day. I am looking forward to learning from amazing professors, building my network through career events, and developing unforgettable bonds with my cohort. Most importantly, I am excited for the personal and professional growth that comes from being in a rigorous program, such as MSITM.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Amulya Saridey, MS IT & Management

by canipec

Amulya Saridey

Program: Master of Science in IT & Management
Undergraduate University and Major: University of Texas at Dallas, Information Technology and Systems
Graduating Class: Class of 2021

About Amulya:
I describe myself as a curious individual who genuinely loves to learn and strives to be inspired. I find myself often standing at the cross roads of innovation and tradition as I tackle any problem- personal or professional. I’m a huge people’s person and look forward to every opportunity where I can learn from other’s experiences and stories. I really take pride in being someone who everyone can talk to and feel included around without hesitation! Apart from this, I’m the happiest when I spend time with my family. In my free time, you can catch me painting, reading, or cooking Mediterranean food!
Proudest accomplishment:
One of my proudest accomplishments was getting published in the local city newspaper when I was only 6-years old. Having just moved from India, I was a little kid who barely knew how to write well, forget writing essays or articles. So, for my first writing prompt, I decided to write an article about how Mahatma Gandhi was a hero to me because of his resilience. Somehow- my article ended up being chosen among all the local elementary schools and was published because of how touched they were by my perspective. Being barely 6-years old, I remember how over the moon I was yet extremely shocked at how this happened! It was a very pivotal moment in my life. This little innocent incident sparked a love for writing and public speaking much earlier than I would’ve have discovered otherwise. Even to this day, whenever I find myself stumped for motivation- I remind myself how if my 6-year old self could do that, then I can definitely excel at the task at hand!
Why did you choose the MSITM Program?
I chose the MSITM program because I loved how innovative and intuitive it was. I am constantly drawn to technology because of how impactful it is in solving a variety of problems. In addition, it is so effective in providing a platform for empowerment because of the vast reach and connectivity it has in everyone’s lives. So- innately I always knew I wanted to pursue a graduate degree that taught me how to problem solve with purpose using technology while also allowing me to specialize and I think MSITM does exactly that! It was my first choice from day one. Then I met with Dr. Conley and instantly knew this would be the right fit for me! I am so glad I get the opportunity to take part in it along with the wonderful people I’ve met so far!
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am really looking forward to soaking up all the knowledge I can from my time here. I really feel like the MSITM program equips all of us with unparalleled skills to problem-solve and innovate so I really hope I can bring that to the forefront within my professional setting when I get a job. I am in awe of how kind and knowledgeable everyone here is. And lastly, I look forward to making a difference in any way I can. I really hope my time here can inspire others to be their best self- just like how MSITM alumni have inspired me to! 

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Subhayu Chakravarty, MSITM

by santiagoleon
Program:

Master of Science in Information Technology & Management

Undergraduate University and Major: IIT Kharagpur – Mechanical Engineering

Graduating Class: Class of 2020

About Subhayu: I am truly a jack of all trades, but I like to see myself as a Da Vinci person, or polymath, if you will. I feel very artistic when I paint, sketch or write articles on philosophy. I feel adrenaline rushes when I play soccer or find a unique chord combination on my ukulele, and definitely when my code works.

Proudest accomplishment:

I have two and both are getting admits to two great universities. The first was my undergraduate college – IIT Kharagpur which required the cracking of India’s toughest engineering entrance examination. The second was getting into UT Austin, my dream university for a Master’s education.

Why did you choose the MSITM Program?

I lose myself in time when I code and I’m very passionate about the world of tech. This world requires constant updates to one’s skillset and I’m an enthusiastic lifelong learner with a promise to never stop educating myself. This brought me to seek a higher, more specialized degree at UT, which is teaching all the latest and greatest pieces of technology in this brilliantly designed MS program.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

People call this course intense, but honestly I’m looking forward to the intensity. I’ve had quite a comfortably paced job with a stagnating learning curve and I believe I’m ready to deep-dive into technologies I’ve never used before and master them in this packed schedule.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Alexandra Valerie Opela, MSITM

by santiagoleon
Program:

Master of Science in Information Technology & Management

Undergraduate University and Major: University of Texas at San Antonio- Cyber Security

Graduating Class: Class of 2020

About Alexandra: I am from the Katy/Houston area and have lived there for most of my life. I have dual citizenship for the U.S. and the Czech Republic. For fun, I enjoy baking Czech sweets with my dad, shopping, listening to every genre of music imaginable, playing video games, and spending time with friends.

Proudest accomplishment:

My proudest accomplishment was being able to achieve a 4.00 GPA in my undergraduate program.

Why did you choose the MSITM Program?

I was interested in applying to MSITM because I wanted to gain more technical knowledge. I felt like I wasn’t ready to go into the workforce yet and that I needed to learn more skills before I could do so. I was also interested in the program because of UT’s prestige and reputation. I was also looking for an in-state Master’s program that would provide a lot of value to me.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

I look forward to meeting the students from other MS programs and getting to know them better. I think it will be really fun when we all come together and get to share our experiences so far with our respective programs.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Prajval Gupta, MS IT & Management

by santiagoleon
Program:

Master of Science in Information Technology & Management

Undergraduate University and Major: ABV-IIITM Gwalior – Information Technology (IT)

Graduating Class: Class of 2020

About Prajval: I am a techno-managerial young professional who loves to work on solving business problems using core technologies. I want to innovate to create a change in society and have a strong belief in my decision thinking and desire to be a happiest and best version of myself. Also, I like to play squash, travel around the world, and love to cook Indian food.

Proudest accomplishment:

My innovation “Auto Dimmer Device” – an Indian patented product solving the night vision problems faced while driving at night. Working as a CEO at my startup firm helped me experience the taste of my dream.

Why did you choose the MSITM Program?

I have been learning and practicing IT tools for the past 5 years but gained business skills through self-learning and experiences only. This IT and Management program has emerged as one of the new programs which drew my attention as I believe it can help me become a techno-managerial professional who can smartly solve business problems.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

I am looking to learn the art of using IT tools to solve appropriate business problems. I am sure this program will help me build both technical and business acumen. I look forward to learn how to be a great professional and help society grow. Also, I look forward to build my network with people in the industry and make some good friends for a lifetime.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Kelly (Tianyi) Zhang, MSITM 2020

by santiagoleon
Program:

Master of Science in Information Technology & Management

Undergraduate University and Major: University of California, Irvine – Informatics & Statistics

Graduating Class: Class of 2020

About Kelly: I was born in China. Eating is one of the most important things in my life. I love to try different kinds of food, and I really love to cook. Spending time in my kitchen is a way for me to deal with stress. I’m a coffee addict and a design enthusiast.

Proudest accomplishment:

I’ve written over 60 IT/Data blogs in Chinese and had the highest PViews (reached to 16,857). I started writing blogs at the time of the United Airlines overbooking scandal in 2017. I couldn’t understand why they would overbook flights. I spent time looking into the data analytics of it all and realized that airline companies are most likely to earn more money if they do so. It’s not rocket science to understand why they do this, but I also thought it would be helpful to illustrate my findings by telling people about it in the most understandable and entertaining way; as a real storyteller. I really enjoyed hearing from my readers that they actually understand some tricky concepts easily when they read my blogs. I had the opportunity to learn about topics in different areas, and gain in-depth technical knowledge, while also enjoying the marketing and social media aspect of blogging. Ultimately writing blogs and learning about new and interesting things gave me an interesting soul.

Why did you choose the MSITM Program?

Texas is the destination of my undergrad graduation trip. I really love it here. UT is the only school I applied to outside Southern California. The MSITM program fit in my expectation of a master’s program, especially when it came to the curriculum. I also love the school culture here and the city of Austin.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Learn new things, meet new friends, start a career, and dig deeper into the information technology world.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Rutwick Bhawsar, MSITM 2020

by santiagoleon

Program:

Master of Science in Information Technology and Management

Undergraduate University and Major:

Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune – Information Technology

 

Graduating Class:

Class of 2020

 

About Rutwick:

My laptop is my bread and butter. I am deeply interested in all forms of data and the absolutely, indubitable power which lies within. I love all things tech. I am a staunch supporter of the Dallas Cowboys and FC Bayern Munich. I have a fervor for cars, my current favorite being the Koenigsegg Jesko. Drinking juice straight out of the carton and eating a disproportionate amount of sour candies are my guilty pleasures. Simply trying an activity isn’t enough. I have an innate desire to achieve a little more. In the hydrospheric realm, I currently am an Advanced Open Water Diver certified by PADI. In the lithospheric realm, I have completed an Off-Roading/Rally Driving course certified by Mahindra and Trapeze course at the Trapeze School New York (TSNY), Los Angeles. And finally, in the atmospheric realm, I am working towards my USPA skydiving A license, gliding and flying certifications.

Proudest accomplishment:

Academically I would have to say my Patent, published in the Indian Patent Journal in 2017. Sports wise I want to say my SCUBA diving certifications.

Why did you choose the MSITM Program?

I took a Business Intelligence and Data Mining course at the Marshall School of Business at USC. I loved everything about it. The class environment, the method of teaching, the ethos of the class. I truly wanted to get a better understanding of the business world but at the same time not stray too far from the Tech world. The MSITM program seemed like a perfect fit!

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Since the program started, I’ve been lucky to get to know about fifty percent of my classmates really well. I would love to get to know all of them. Everybody seems exceptional and unique. As the program continues, I plan to go out of my way to ensure I pick teammates and project partners with whom I’ve never worked before.

When it comes to the curriculum, I can’t wait for the Capstone project. Coming here directly after my Bachelor’s and Master’s, I would love to take my first step into the corporate world. Also, I truly look forward to the Cognitive Computing course. I’ve always been interested in this topic and I have heard nothing but good things about this course.

On a lighter note, I do look forward to long weekends and holidays. But with that being said, when those days do arrive, I feel as though something is missing and start wishing for class again.

#TXMS Student Spotlight: Pankaj Kishore MSITM 2019

by veronicasun

Program:

Master of Science Program in IT & Management

Student Name:

Pankaj Kishore

Graduating Class:

Class of 2019

Undergraduate Alma Mater:

Jaipur Engineering College & Research Centre, Mechanical Engineering

About Pankaj:

I was born and raised in New Delhi, India. I completed my undergraduate in 2011 and moved to gain professional experience in Data Science and Product Lifecycle Management in Tata technologies. I worked almost for 7 seven years in different companies honing my skills in C#, VB.NET, C++, SQL and Oracle over the years I worked in. I love playing and watching numerous sports such as Cricket, Soccer, Table Tennis, Tennis, Badminton, Foosball, Chess and Board Games.

Proudest Accomplishment:

I think my proudest accomplishment is receiving the employee of the year award 5 years in a row at the company I worked for and also for receiving the Gold Medal in Mechanical Engineering from my University.

Why did you choose the MSITM Program?

I applied to MS Program to hone my programming and Management skills. After spending 7 years in the IT industry, I was looking for a degree which will help me grow my skills to help me prepare for future roles. The MSITM curriculum was also best suited to what I was looking for in a graduate program.

What were the first 3 weeks of the program like?

It was an intense couple of weeks with a lot of information being shared with us in a very short period of time. We were all doing our best to manage this intense schedule, but what we learned in class is what motivated me to continue to work hard and push through.

What are you looking forward to most this year?

I am really looking forward to garnering as much knowledge as possible over the next 10 months so I can use it to help me be successful in future roles.

More on Texas MS Student Spotlight:

Texas MS #StudentSpotlight is a recurring feature showcasing the talent, background, and aspirations of the McCombs Master of Science Program students! Learn more about the Texas Master of Science in IT & Management on our homepage.

Current Texas MS students interested in appearing in our student spotlight should contact their Program Coordinator regarding access to the Student Spotlight Survey.