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Profiles of Current Students and Alumni

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Louise Frank

Program of Study:

Master of Science in Information Systems

Year of Graduation:

2009

Hometown:

Ballston Lake, NY

Previous Education (degree and institution):

B.A. from SUNY/Albany

Tell us about your work history before Marist:

I began my IT career teaching programming classes on computerized inspection equipment for a technology company. Students were typically skilled male laborers from large manufacturing plants such as GM. At the time, it was unusual for a woman in a scientific field to be teaching in a manufacturing environment. From there, I progressed into IT management, and worked at leading manufacturers in the Albany, NY area. When I was affected by downsizing, I re-invented myself so I could stay in Albany. Independent real estate sales allowed me to accommodate family circumstances without relocating and I advanced to the level of associate broker. I remained focused on returning to my IT career and eventually enrolled at Marist. I recently returned to one of my former employers (currently Philips Medical Systems) for a brief internship in independent study.

Why did you choose Marist?

Marist offered the identical curriculum online as their courses on campus. This was important because I wanted prospective employers to know that my degree is from a highly reputable institution. In addition, Marist was the only college that offered the combination of MBA courses and Information System courses that would allow me to update my skills and earn the equivalent of an MBA with a specialization in IT.

What did you like best about your program at Marist?

The MBA/Management courses gave me a deeper understanding of the global business environment and of the total organizational approach to discovering business solutions. Also, many of the courses offered actual hands-on experience in various software applications such as Business Intelligence (Data Warehousing & Data Mining), Project Management, Systems Design and Analytical Tools. I found that instructors at Marist were always willing to give advice and direction and helped me in the transition of going back to school.

What are your career goals?

I am currently looking forward to using my new credentials and management experience to land a job in my chosen field.