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Profiles of Current Students and Alumni

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Jaime Kristin Pinto

MA in Communication

Expected Year of Graduation:

2008

Hometown:

Niceville, Florida

Previous Education (degree and institution):

• Magna cum Laude graduate; Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, Valdosta State University - May 2002
• Honor Graduate, Officer Training School, Academy of Military Science, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, TN - Feb 2006

Tell us about your work history before Marist, including years of experience, industry, companies, and positions.

In 2002, The United States Air Force hired me to work as a Copper Cap, which is a national training program (Copper Cap Program) for United States Air Force (USAF) acquisition contracting.  I started my contracting training program at Robins Air Force Base (AFB), Ga., procuring automatic test equipment repairs and spares.   I transferred to Eglin AFB, FL in 2003 (which is home to all of the USAF weapons system programs) where I worked as a contract specialist (writing contracts) on a major joint Air Force/Navy air-to-ground weapons system.  Following my weapons system contracting position, I career broadened into the program management career field where I served as a program manager for foreign military sales (FMS) weapons system programs.  As a FMS program manager, I was responsible for weapons system programs for the countries of Japan, Australia, and Spain, valued at over $50M.  Following my 1.5 years in foreign military sales, I moved to my new position as a Program Execution Group Action Officer.  As an action officer, it is my responsibility to support the Major General responsible for the entire USAF weapons system portfolio, valued at over $38B.  My responsibilities include tracking the weapons system programs at Eglin AFB and reporting the status of these programs to the Major General.

I am also a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force Reserve where I serve as the assistant chief of public affairs for the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Florida. The 920^th Rescue Wing is the busiest wing in the Air Force Reserve Command due to the rescue mission.  Our mission is to save downed airmen whether in combat, natural disasters, or civilian missions.

What are your career goals?  Tell us about particular employers or positions you would like to hold.

At this time, I plan to continue my career in acquisition as a program manager.  Continuing in this field, I would like to manage a weapons system program at the Squadron level and then manage a handful of programs at a Group or Wing level.  As a reservist, I plan to stay in Public Affairs and continue my career as a Public Affairs Officer.

Why did you choose Marist?

I chose Marist because the school offered my program of interest in an online environment.  I was working in foreign military sales when I started the program and was traveling overseas about every two months or more.  The hectic travel schedule left little time for a classroom-oriented program.  Additionally, I liked the fact that Marist had a solid reputation as well as a physical school campus.

How do you balance school demands with your work and/or family life?

Balancing the demands of a full-time job with the Air Force, my duties as a reservist, and my family life was not an easy task.  By nature I am a very organized person, which definitely helped me handle all of my responsibilities.  Prioritizing my activities on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis was key as well as taking things one day at a time.  Additionally, as an online student you have to have the self discipline to stay on top of your school work.

What do you like best about your program at Marist?

I really enjoyed both the faculty and classmates I worked with during the program.  My fellow classmates were an extraordinary group of people with careers and interests from a multitude of areas.  The ability to interact with such a great group of people made it even more interesting and rewarding.  I was able to learn a lot from my fellow classmates.  Additionally, the faculty at Marist was great.  I never felt like I could not reach one of them to get help when I needed it, via phone or e-mail the responses were always helpful and timely.  I never felt short-changed of instructions in the online environment.

Please tell us about your experience as an online student.

Since I had so many schedules to balance, the online environment worked really well for me because I was able to set a school schedule that worked for me.  Often times that included working a week ahead to minimize my school due dates while overseas.  I was able to log in from Japan or any other location while on travel, which was really helpful.  Additionally, the weekly discussions kept me engaged with both the professors and other students.