JOEL
management information systems

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WHY WEBER STATE?

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I come from a large family of nine siblings where the importance of school was not a predominantly shared value.  However, I was taught that if I consistently work hard things would work out fine.  Growing up in a small town just outside of Idaho Falls, Idaho, I applied my instilled work ethic throughout my life on the dairy farm, in the potato fields, and in athletics.  After moving from Idaho to Cache Valley, Utah, to live with my mother, I met my wife, Lindsey, right out of high school. Lindsey’s mother worked at WSU and brought up the benefits that the university could offer me for my future.  This led me to exploring the possibility of enrolling into WSU.  Since I did not bother taking the SAT in high school, I am extremely grateful that WSU allowed me to apply without an SAT score and simply test into 1010 Math and 1010 English. 

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WHY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS?

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My professional journey at Goddard began as an accountant. When I started searching for an internship, I continually came up empty handed. After taking Dr. Boyle’s Intro to Information Systems course, I understood the need for technology within businesses and decided to move forward with the Management Information Systems program at Goddard instead of accounting

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INCREDIBLE ACCESS

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The Goddard School is unique because even though the professors are busy with their research and daily-lives, the professors made sure to openly invite me to their office hours to speak about not only the assignments, but also to provide advice on how to further myself professionally.

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FACULTY IMPACT

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Dr. Boyle – He was my main outreach for advice on many of the opportunities that were within my reach at WSU and beyond.  His ability to help me calm my fear of uncertainty was superb and lead me to my capability of overcoming my own self-doubts.
Dr. Fox-Kirk – She was a great insight into how the quality of leadership can play a big role in any career path one may choose.  Her background in psychology also helped me gain an additional perspective on leadership that is still novel to this day.
Dr. Costello – Her kind personality and enthusiasm for teaching had always shown through to me during both my Managerial Accounting and Individual Tax Accounting courses.  Whenever I would stop by her office hours for help, her door would be open, and she would stop whatever she was doing until I fully understood the concepts covered in the assignments.

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ADVICE

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Fail fast and fail forward — This will help you understand that it is okay to make mistakes and how to learn from them, growing as an individual. Reach out to all areas of campus to become involved — This will assist you in broadening your outlook on what the campus and the world has to offer.  Do not make the mistake of staying secluded in your own building all throughout your undergrad.

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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Currently, I am preparing for my second year of the Information Security Policy and Management program at Carnegie Mellon University.  My career aspirations are to work with a company where I can make an impact and where I enjoy my work.  After a few years in the industry, I want to save up enough money to support my family while I begin to invest my time into my own company.

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