Online MSIM gets high grades

The Department of Information Systems learned this month that the online Master of Science in Information Management program was ranked No. 2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. In other news, networking and career events are keeping CIS students busy as spring semester takes off!

The Department of Information Systems learned this month that the online Master of Science in Information Management program was ranked No. 2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. In other news, networking and career events are keeping CIS students busy as spring semester takes off!

Ranked No. 2 nationwide

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the W. P. Carey School of Business No. 2 nationwide on its list of “Best Online Graduate Business Programs,” and the kudos go to the Online Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM) program as well as the W. P. Carey MBA Online. Programs were evaluated based on student engagement, admissions selectivity, peer reputation, faculty credentials and training and student services and technology. The 16-month online MSIM program, launched in 2012, prepares professionals with the knowledge and skills to deploy information systems for competitive advantage. American Express, Intel Corporation, Mayo Clinic and US Airways are among the companies that send students to the school’s MSIM programs. The MSIM programs, including the in-person program and the online version, record high retention rates thanks to faculty engagement and collaborative-learning training for students during orientation.

Inspire, Collaborate, Compete

The Association for Information Systems holds an annual conference for the leaders of local student chapters in IT departments at business schools in universities from throughout the nation. The Department of Information Systems is proud to host the 2014 conference March 20-22! The delegates are student leaders from top universities across the country and the world. The theme — Inspire, Collaborate, Compete — grew out of the “Top ten business ideals to live by,” a code developed by the Department of Information Systems’ Executive Advisory Board, IS faculty and students. The list is displayed prominently in the department to guide students and faculty in pursuit of knowledge and careers. Several board members are already confirmed speakers for the conference. “The conference features student team competition tracks in areas like IT service management, social innovation and, new this year, a track for interested student teams to create a video presentation that can inform college-bound and existing students about the incredible power and impact of information technology on business and society,” said department chairman Michael Goul. “Association for Information Systems student chapters are located nationally and internationally, and not every student chapter has industry access and the financial support to attend. Sponsorship helps to defray costs for students attending the conference. If you are interested in being a sponsor, contact us!”

American Express showcases tech in the workplace

American Express brought students an up-close look at the ways technology is used in business hosting an open house on January 23. The company staged five break-out sessions on 1) enterprise digital and enterprise growth technologies, 2) global merchant network services, 3) information management and digital capabilities including big data and hadoop, 4) digital partnerships and 5) information security. Students spent 15 minutes at each session. American Express Technologies runs a summer internship program for students.

DISC ramps up for spring semester

About 50 students mingled with representatives of State Farm at a social held at the pizza restaurant, Boulders On Broadway in Tempe. State Farm sponsored the event, which kicked off the DISC (Department of Information Systems Club) spring semester of programming. The club’s weekly meetings feature visits from information systems professionals at companies that recruit at the W. P. Carey School. This week, DISC will help members get ready for next month’s CIS mixer (see below). Terri Erb, undergraduate career development specialist, will bring tips for networking with recruiters and Erica Bianco Ellis, DISC vice president for corporate relations, will present a do's and don’ts fashion show. Companies that are not already connected with DISC can contact Erica through Karen Stark, IS student services coordinator.

Spring 2014 Information Systems Career Mixer

The CIS mixers are a great opportunity for students to brush up on their networking skills and begin to build a network of potentially helpful contacts. Companies that attend these events get to know students over time — from those first tentative meetings first year through graduation. Although not a formal job fair, the gathering is used by companies to spread the word about internships and career opportunities. The next mixer is coming up fast: It’s Monday, February 3 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Union. Karen Stark (email above), IS student services coordinator, says it’s not too late for companies to register!

Media

“When it comes to retweets on Twitter, it’s not what you don’t know, but who you don’t know.” That was the lead of a blog post on Yahoo! News about Michael (Zhan) Shi’s Twitter research. The paper, which reports that people you don’t know are more likely to retweet you than your friends, is the topic of a KnowIT story. Ajay Vinze is wearing more than one hat these days. In addition to his information systems professor title, Vinze is also in leadership at the school and university level. He is an associate dean in the W. P. Carey School and associate vice provost for graduate education at the university level. In December Vinze was in the news as ASU inked a memorandum of agreement with the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad in India to begin a business education partnership. The program will allow students to earn business degrees from both institutions by splitting their college experience between the two.

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