I originally came to Robinson as an accounting major. I was not aware of the CIS degree, and wasn’t particularly interested in a career in tech. It was only when I sat in my first CIS class—Intro to CIS—that I saw the value in the degree and made the switch. The best aspects of the program include on-campus career opportunities and the plethora of scholarships available. Many of the leadership development opportunities were born out of the student organizations, including the Association of Information Systems and Women In Technology.
I have three pieces of advice for CIS students to take to heart. First, understand you will be hired (either for a job or as a vendor if you own your own business) not for your degree, but rather your skills and experience at solving technology problems. Do not make the mistake that thinking your degree will get you through the door. When talking to a prospective employer or client, focus on how your expertise will solve their problems rather than the knowledge you learned at school.
Second, although the program gives you awesome exposure to a variety of tech subjects, it alone is not sufficient for surviving in the real world. You need to spend time working on side projects and doing as many internships as you can. In fact, you should try to get an internship every summer and work in a tech role during the fall/spring semesters. Figure out what you like doing and specialize in that field. Employers, in my experience, like persons with depth over breadth of experience.
Lastly, network, network, network. You’re much more likely to land an opportunity if you’ve developed a relationship with someone associated with the role. Try to reach out to as many people in the company prior to applying to a role.
