11 questions with MSIS student Monique Smith
We asked current Foster students to tell us why they chose Foster, explain how they balance life with school, and to share advice with potential applicants. Meet Master of Science in Information Systems student Monique Smith.
MSIS student Monique Smith
1) Where are you from?
Seattle, Washington
2) Are you currently working? If so, what is your job title?
I work part-time for the UW’s Carlson Leadership and Public Service Center helping coordinate the Undergraduate Community Based Internship program. Before the MSIS program, I was doing my undergraduate degree at Foster in Finance and Information Systems.
3) What attracted you to Foster and the MSIS program?
I did my undergraduate degree at Foster so I already knew it was a great school with a lot of great opportunities. I was attracted to the MSIS program because I knew I’d learn a good mix of technical and business knowledge.
4) What skills and/or knowledge are you looking to develop?
I hope to develop new ways to approach and solve challenges. In the MSIS program there’s less than 50 students in the class but everyone has different experience that affects the way they think. These different experiences come from their different educational background, work experience, places they lived, and so on.
5) What kind of connections have you made with your classmates/larger business community while in the program?
During this program I’ve had the opportunity to connect with my classmates and do various social events with them. I’ve also received a mentor who works for REI so I’ve gained exposure to REI and the world of retail. As a UW graduate student, I was also able to connect with the Spanish department and do their Business and Cultural Dynamics program where I was able to learn about various aspects of business and learn about companies that operate in Spain and other Spanish speaking countries. The program was fully conducted in Spanish.
6) What do you think about the information systems field in Seattle?
The information systems field in Seattle is very exciting. Seattle is a very technologically advanced area. Some of the biggest innovations in information systems come from Seattle or from companies that have offices here.
7) What kind of impact would you like to have on the information systems field?
That’s actually one of the reasons I joined this program. I’m hoping to learn more about the different parts within the field of information systems through this program. Then I will know more about where I want my impact to be.
8) How do you balance school with other life priorities?
I stay very organized, so I know ahead of time when times are going to be very busy. Even though I do find myself getting very busy sometimes, my classmates are also very busy so we all stay respectful of each others’ time and keep things efficient as possible.
9) What do you like to do for fun?
For fun I like exploring and being outdoors. I enjoy hiking, biking, and doing things on the water.
Monique kayaking
10) What’s been your favorite part of the program so far?
So far my favorite part of the program has been the discussions we have in class. Everyone approaches each case and challenge differently. I find being in these discussions fun and very helpful for my problem-solving skills.
11) What advice would you give to someone who’s thinking about applying to Foster’s MSIS program?
I recommend talking to someone in the program so they can help you figure out if it’s a right fit for you. You should also talk to the MSIS staff or check out one of the info sessions.
Learn more about Foster’s Master of Science in Information Systems program
This post is part of a series where we ask current students to answer 11 questions about their experience at Foster. Stay tuned for more interviews in the coming weeks!
