In This Issue:
New Things Going On in This Major
Dr. Ash Deshmukh and Dr. Kathy Noce
The Management Information Systems department is developing a cybersecurity program to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to protect against cyber threats. This program is particularly important given the increasing number of cyber attacks that individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide are facing. Upon completing the program, students will have the skills necessary to pursue a career in cybersecurity, an increasingly high-demand field.
The MIS department is also updating and simplifying the MIS tracks to provide students with more flexibility in the classes they can take. This update will allow students to tailor their degree to their specific interests and career aspirations. By offering more flexibility, the MIS department is helping students to achieve their career goals and to be prepared for the job market.
Finally, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including education. The department has begun the early steps of investigating the impact of AI on education and career options to help students prepare for the changing job market. Our goal is to prepare students to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving job market and to have the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world.
Faculty Spotlight
Kyle Chalupczynski
Kyle Chalupczynski, Lecturer in MIS
Kyle Chalupczynski is a lecturer in MIS. In addition to teaching a variety of courses in the major, he serves as the adviser to the MIS Club and co-director of the Innovation Through Collaboration program.
What do you most want MIS students to understand?
I want students to understand that soft skills are just as essential to success as their more tangible counterparts. Knowledge only gets you so far without the ability to effectively communicate.
Where is MIS heading next?
The Business/Systems Analysis curriculum is currently being redesigned to more fully encompass the Agile methodology and prepare students for certification.
What non-MIS jobs have you held? What surprising skills were transferable to MIS?
Working at Giant Eagle through high school and college was a master class in soft skills. I maintain that everyone should have to work a public-facing job at some point in their life—we might see a lot more empathy!
Alumni Spotlight
Steven Bugajski '94
Steven Bugajski, U. S. Steel Corp.
Steven Bugajski is the vice president and chief information officer at United States Steel Corporation. He has responsibility for U. S. Steel’s global IT organization, including digital and cyber.
What is one of the most interesting/unique aspects of your job?
I would say the most interesting part of my job is the variety of business and IT work that I do daily. This makes the days go very fast as I go from one topic to another as I talk with my team in three different countries.
What would you tell your college self if you could go back in time?
Get more involved, Steve! Join clubs, go to the job fairs, and get at least one internship as early as you can. This will help you build critical skills for your career and help you build your professional network.
What’s the craziest interview question you’ve been asked?
My craziest question was interviewing for a developer position. An interviewer said, "Tell me something that you did that was really embarrassing." What I learned later, after I got the job, was that this was his way of checking your self-esteem level.
Student Spotlight
Michael Paul
Michael Paul
Michael Paul is a dual Finance and Management Information Systems major planning to graduate in Spring 2024. He is active in the FMA club and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. He will be working as an IT analyst intern at Erie Insurance this summer
If you had one do-over at Behrend, what would it be?
If I had one do-over at Behrend, it would be to have taken advantage of more networking opportunities earlier on in my college career. I have come to realize how important it is to build a strong professional network in the field of MIS, and I wish I had started attending more career fairs and networking events earlier in my college journey.
What attracted you to Penn State Behrend?
One of main reasons why I chose Penn State Behrend was because of its affordability. Additionally, its location was close to home and the small class sizes offered a more personalized learning experience. I was also impressed by the Black School of Business and its strong reputation for producing successful graduates. Lastly, Behrend offered a dual-major program, which allowed me to pursue my interests in both finance and data analytics.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received at Behrend?
The best piece of advice that I’ve received at Behrend came from my sister, who graduated from Behrend in 2021. As I began my college career in 2020, she advised me to get involved with clubs and other extracurricular activities, network with teachers and fellow students, and to enjoy the college experience. This advice has been invaluable, as it has helped me to build relationships and grow both academically and professionally.
Club Updates
The MIS Club's Speaker Series continues to bring exceptional value to our members by providing them with insights from industry leaders and experts. Securing engaging speakers is a top priority, as we believe that exposure to real-world experiences is essential to professional development.
Additionally, the MIS Club is excited to start exploring the implications of emerging technologies such as ChatGPT and other similar AI tools. This will enable our members to stay on top of industry trends and be better equipped to take advantage of new opportunities in the rapidly changing business landscape. We recognize the potential for AI technologies to revolutionize the way businesses operate, and our focus on this technology will help position our members for success in this new era.
The MIS Club is committed to ensuring our members have access to cutting-edge information and resources that can help them thrive in the digital age.