Included in this newsletter
are alumni profiles, links of interest, and words of wisdom from the staff at
Commerce Career Services. Please let us know if there is a topic you would like
us to cover! If you know of an alum who would be a perfect fit for the alumni
profiles, you can send me their information at gilley@virginia.edu.
1. Alumni Profile
Donny Wyatt (MS in MIT ’04) Owner and Founder, Co-construct (a software-as-a-service company for custom
home builders and remodelers) (Crozet, VA).
1)
What were your favorite parts of the program? What were the most important
things you took from your time at McIntire?
I was fortunate to get a
double-dose of McIntire, with both the undergrad in 1999 and then the MS MIT
program in 2004. When I worked in the corporate world, at a small company, and
then launching my own, I always saw the value in being able to both go broad
and deep in the skills I needed to use. Both the undergrad and grad programs
provided that. Whether you can pull IT into a finance job or pull marketing
into an IT job, having a multi-disciplined approach prepares McIntire grads to
bring more value right away by thinking a few rungs above their job level. That
stands out in a company of any size.
2)
Have you made a career change since you completed the degree? What elements of
the program were helpful in making this change?
Yes. I was working in the
typical, big corporate job at Verizon when I did the MS MIT program. I enjoyed
my time at Verizon, but then I had a chance to go do something completely out
of my comfort zone -- as a sales manager for a software as a service company
selling to law firms and Wall Street analysts. Again, because of the
well-rounded McIntire approach, I was able to make that move from an IT job to
a sales and marketing job selling to finance people. After a few years there,
through the experience of building our own home, I had the idea to start my
current company, Co-construct. And when you start your own company, you need as
broad of a skill set as you can get.
3) What
advice/words of wisdom do you have for current or future MS in MIT students who
are considering either a job change or career change now that they are working
towards the MS in MIT degree?
Why wait to finish the program
to change? My career progression accelerated greatly, partially due to the MS
MIT program, when I was only midway through. You're getting value at every step
of the program, so it's not like there's "one big magic answer" at
the end that then makes you more valuable in your job. In fact, one of the
biggest benefits of being in an academic environment alongside your smart,
employed peers, is retraining your brain on a new way of thinking. The content
of the program is important, of course. But, changing the way you view and
approach issues is the most valuable part. And that can kick in after just your
first couple of sessions.
Too many people think that they
need to finish the program to then make some shift up, over, or out of their
current job. Why spend an extra 5-10% of your career waiting for that arbitrary
graduation date when the program already has switched on your mental turbo
boosters? Go for it now, and then milk the program for all it's worth in
maximizing your first year in the new position!
2. Articles of Note
3. Career Advice 2.0 – Words
of Wisdom
From Tom Fitch, Associate Dean
for Career Services & Employer Relations
“As you get closer to completing
the MS MIT program, remember that career development continues well beyond the
point of graduation. Networking is one of the most important aspects of
career growth. Creating strong professional relationships ensures
personal as well as work-related enhancement. It can be quite easy to
meet professionals who may share words of advice and suggestions for future
jobs, skills, and an in depth outlook on the industry, but don’t miss out on
having a way to follow up with these contacts. Do not wait until you’ve
left the classroom to create or tweak your LinkedIn account. Update your
profile, join appropriate groups, and connect with your classmates. It’s
much easier to ask for their wisdom as you interact on a regular basis.
Be sure to request connections to your peers and build upon a dynamic approach
to a professional database.”
4. We’re Here to Help
Commerce Career Services had a
great time presenting Rebranding to the Charlottesville section, and we look
forward to presenting to the NOVA section in June. We’ll be discussing the
importance of integrating new skills, knowledge, and goals into your
professional identity. Please don’t hesitate to contact Kelly Eddins (keddins@virginia.edu) or Aaron Gilley (gilley@virginia.edu) with any questions
you might have. Have a great week!
Aaron
Gilley
Assistant
Director of Career Development
Commerce
Career Services
University
of Virginia
(434)
243-2144
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