For a third consecutive year, the Center for Information Technology Innovation (CITI) and CU Denver’s Information Systems Association presented Become a Leader with an Edge. This year’s event had nearly 200 students and faculty attend the event, unlike like year’s event which competed with the Rockies’ World Series game for attendance.
Featured was a panel of top-level executives from CITI companies to talk to and answer questions from students. The CIOs stressed the importance of in-depth knowledge of Information Systems as a prerequisite for getting an edge in the business world.
Randy Guthrie of Microsoft presented a “Myth Buster” presentation busting many myths about IT jobs. Nicolas Saben, a CU Denver student also working in a Information System job, stressed how important it is to know as much as possible about Information Systems and how rewarding his career is.
CITI members who participated on the panel included: Kim Heldman – Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Mary Anne Leach – Children Hospital, John Shellenberger – Johns Manville, Matthew Taylor – Via West, and Leroy Williams – Ball Corporation, who acted as facilitator.
Students asked many questions, learning about how Information Systems impacts every aspect of business and the importance of understanding computer technology no matter what field they specialize in.
Response to the event was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Students felt the panel was very informative, and they were happy to have such insight and perspective available to them. Many noted that their interest in adding an information systems component to their experience increased as a result of this seminar. Many have also joined the Information Systems Association to see firsthand how businesses use Information Systems.
The Business School offers many combined tracks for students who see the benefit of having information systems integrated with their other skills. At the undergraduate and graduate level students are able to combine combine Information Systems with Marketing, Management, Finance and Accounting in either their track (undergraduate) or their MBA or MS degrees.
