Alumni Profiles
Rita Alvarado, CPA
MISM Class of 2004
USA
Specialization: Custom Program
What does/had the MISM program offered you?
The MISM program was attractive for several reasons, including the accelerated nature of the program, specifically, 12-months, the balance between IT and Business, and the outstanding reputation of Carnegie Mellon University with respect to IT. Due to the fact that I had a Business background and limited IT experience, I was able to gain additional IT skills, specifically related to software development, internet security, telecommunications and distributed systems. However, in spite of my Business background, I was interested in gaining more knowledge related to management courses. I was able to take classes outside the MISM program, primarily within the Tepper School of Business in order to expand upon my interests in managerial issues. In summary, the MISM program provides is a "cafeteria-style" coursework offering, giving the student the flexibility to mix and match the courses based on their strategic goals and aspirations. As a result, the MISM program significantly increased my marketability and enhanced my career opportunities.
Where are you working? In what position? Please share a brief description of your job duties:
I currently working as a Senior Consultant at IBM Global Services. I am pursuing work that will leverage my unique work experience and academic background; including technology consulting, project management and business systems analysis. Furthermore, I am specializing in a career that focuses on the Public Sector.
Education Background (undergraduate school, graduate school, graduation year):
- BBA Accounting, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
- Carnegie Mellon University - MISM - 2004
Past Experience: Company, Job title, years of employment:
- Senior IT Specialist, Continental Airlines, Houston, Texas, 2001 - 2003
- Senior Business Analyst, Continental Airlines, Houston, Texas, 1999 - 2001
- Internal Audit Supervisor, Continental Airlines, Houston, Texas, 1997 - 1999
- Audit Senior, KPMG, Peat Marwick, LLP, Washington, DC, 1996 - 1997
- Audit Senior, Ernst & Young, LLP, Washington, DC, 1994 - 1996
- Staff Accountant, Mir, Fox & Rodriguez, PC, Dallas, TX, 1991 - 1994
Other interests:
- Travel and Tourism
- Volunteer Services
- Outdoor sports, including biking, hiking and softball
Andrew Fradkin
MISM Class of 2002
USA
Specialization: Custom Program
What does/has the MISM program offered you?
A great education combining the best of business with IT in a techno-savvy environment. The MISM approach gave me a great experience and since I took a leave from my job, did it in a shorter amount of time than other programs
Where are you working? In what position? Please share a brief description of your job duties.
Ford Motor Company, IT Manager of the Ford Van Dyke Transmission Plant. Basically anything IT related within the four walls of the plant comes under my responsibility: from networks, to servers, to application development and support, business process reengineering, technology testing and so on, basically a CIO for the site. I manage a team of 12 people varying from programmers, to electricians, to analysts in order to provide business value and support for the 2,000 employees at the plant. It keeps me a busy man and every day is a new challenge and opportunity!
Education Background (undergraduate school, graduate school, graduation year)
- Undergrad: Union College in Schenectady, NY. BS Computer Science
- Grad: Carnegie Mellon, MISM 2002.
Past Experience: Company, Job title, years of employment.
- Have worked for Ford Motor Company for 5 years in various positions (Business Analyst, Project Management Analyst and now IT Manager).
- Worked for Interactive Computer Training, Inc. for 6 years prior to working at Ford as a partner in the business.
Other interests
Traveling, restoring a 1964 Triumph TR4 convertible, volunteering with The Parade Company in Detroit, Home Improvement/Remodeling Projects, Trying new foods and wines.
Sameer Gupta
MISM Class of 2003
India
Specialization: Custom Program
What does/had the MISM program offered you?
There are a lot of tangibles as well as intangibles that one stands to gain in this program. It has made me more confident going into the business world and given me the right set of skills - managerial, technical, negotiation, presentation and, best of all, teamwork. These qualities are highly respected in the industry and MISM is a sure shot way of honing these. The name of the school adds to the overall credibility. Graduating MISM students find employment in a broad gamut of industries that, in turn, opens up vast opportunities for networking.
Where are you working? In what position? Please share a brief description of your job duties.
I am working as an analyst in the technology division at Goldman Sachs. Job description involves comprehensive participation in the full software development lifecycle for projects in the trade processing and securities clearance & settlement function in the fixed income and equities space. Teamwork is highly emphasized here, and ability to multitask helps deal with the rigors and stress of my daily job. There is a lot of interaction with the business users, and it helps to be able to wear the business and the technical hat at the same time
Education Background (undergraduate school, graduate school, graduation year)
- B.Tech.(CS) Regional Engineering College, Kurukshetra. India, 1998
- Carnegie Mellon, MISM, 2003
Past Experience: Company, Job title, years of employment.
- American Express Phoenix, AZ 2000-2002
- Tata Consultancy Services Delhi, India 1998-2000
Other interests
Socializing, Travel, Reading
Carlos Mermingas A.
MISM Class of 2004
Venezuela
Specialization: Custom Program
What does/had the MISM program offered you?
MISM offered me the balance of technology and management that I was looking for. The program helped me hone and update my technical skills. It also helped me understand the managerial issues surrounding technology. Within the program, the IS project was a particularly enriching experience because it provided hands-on exposure to a mixture of technological and managerial challenges.
Where are you working? In what position? Please share a brief description of your job duties.
It's a one-year rotational program in software architecture. The duties vary with the projects and they are framed in a well structured program that fosters learning of the IT-related platforms and processes of the company.
Education Background (undergraduate school, graduate school, graduation year)
- Universidad Simon Bolivar - Computer Engineering - 2000
- Carnegie Mellon University - MISM - 2004
Past Experience: Company, Job title, years of employment.
Telecomunicaciones Movilnet, Telecommunications Engineer, 2001-2003
Other interests
I could have been a chef... Not for my skills but for how much I enjoy it! :-)
Salim Mawani
MISM Class of 2003
Canada
Specialization: Custom Program
What does/has the MISM program offered you and where are you currently working? Please share a brief description of your job duties.
I was provided an opportunity to take upper level finance courses at the Tepper School of Business and I currently work Barclays Capital as a Corporate Derivatives Analyst. I currently work under debt capital markets, and specifically in a group called Liability Management. It is my responsibility to look at the debt structure of various firms and offer solutions to manage their portfolio. There are a number of transactions that can be done to manage/retire/extend the debt profile of a company, for example: open market repurchases, tender offers, exchange offers, consent solicitations etc. My primary role is in the creation of presentation materials for clients such as pitch books, and providing various marketing material as well as quantitative analysis to our clients.
Where are you working? In what position? Please share a brief description of your job duties.
I currently work under debt capital markets, and specifically in a group called Liability Management. It is my responsibility to look at the debt structure of various firms and offer solutions to manage their portfolio. There are a number of transactions that can be done to manage/retire/extend the debt profile of a company, for example: open market repurchases, tender offers, exchange offers, consent solicitations etc. My primary role is in the creation of presentation materials for clients such as pitch books, and providing various marketing material as well as quantitative analysis to our clients.
Education Background (undergraduate school, graduate school, graduation year)
- Undergrad: Carnegie Mellon University - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance), May 2003
- Graduate: Carnegie Mellon University - Master of Information Systems Management, Dec 2003
Past Experience: Company, Job title, years of employment.
- UBS Investment Bank (Stamford, CT), Equity Derivatives Trading Analyst, 0.4 years
- Credit Suisse First Boston (New York, NY), Securities Information Technology, 0.4 years
- Oxford Properties Group Inc. (Toronto, ON), Accounting Analyst, 0.4 years
Other interests
Hockey, baseball
Sern Tham
MISM Class of 2001
Singapore
Specialization: Custom Program
What does/had the MISM program offered you?
From a high level, allowed me to complement my undergrad background in business with a practical knowledge of how technology can help drive business.
Where are you working? In what position? Please share a brief description of your job duties.
Counsel clients (typically large organizations) on issues of top management concern. Issues have ranged from aggressive growth strategies and operations optimization to mergers and acquisitions and complete organizational transformation. Core responsibilities include analyzing data, providing analytical insights, framing hypotheses, developing recommendations and making presentations to client leadership.
Education Background (undergraduate school, graduate school, graduation year)
- Carnegie Mellon - Bachelors in Business Administration - May 2001
- Carnegie Mellon - MISM - May 2001
Past Experience: Company, Job title, years of employment.
None - this is my first full time position
Itay Erhard
Class of 2004
Israel
Specialization: MSIM
How did the MISM/ISPM/MSIT program prepare you for your current job?
My job as a senior IT Governance consultant at Mercury Interactive requires knowledge of almost every course I?ve studied at MISM (e.g. Project Management, Managing Service Organizations). Even the non-it courses proved to be extremely helpful. I had to give a presentation last Friday for 50 people and as preparation I?ve revisited the material from the "Professional Speaking" class!
What was the most worthwhile class?
"Managing Service Organization" which was instructed by Majid Iqbal. The course focuses on the ITIL framework which is probably the hottest thing in the IT industry these days. I use what I?ve studied at the course almost every day and Prof. Iqbal did a great job delivering the material.
What did graduating from MISM/ISPM/MSIT open up for you that may not have been available before?
Prior to the program, I didn't have the knowledge or academic credentials to get into a top software company.
Jennifer Franks
Class of May 2006
USA
Specialization: MSISPM
Where are you working?
I work for the Government Accountability Office as an Information Technology Specialist for the IT Team. I am currently based out of the Atlanta Office, but travel frequently to the Headquarters in DC.
What are your job responsibilities?
As an auditor for GAO, I am responsible for corresponding with various private and public sector organizations to arrange meetings, and develop points-of-contact for the auditing engagements. I also research supporting issues relevant to the engagement and gather written/oral information and evidence that addresses my current audit assignments. As an IT Specialist, using my security background, I always look for the computer vulnerabilities, system flaws and weaknesses that could be an attribution to the audited agencies challenges.
How did the MISM/MSISPM/MSIT program prepare you for your current job?
Many of the courses were taught with materials directly used in the Government/ Industry, and not that of outdated text books. On a frequent basis, I have to recall many of those whitepapers and use them as references in my work as an auditor. Many of the professors whose published works we used as references in classes, are also widely respected in their fields, and to be able to say I took "their class, and used their materials" is often viewed as a major plus.
What did graduating from MISM/ISPM/MSIT open up for you that may not have been available before?
CMU and the MSISPM program was my first multi-cultural education experience and I will cherish my experiences forever. Before coming to the MSISPM program, I wasn?t sure where my place was in the Computer Science discipline, but I knew I didn't have the personality to be a sole programmer. Now, after choosing to come to the program, more doors are opening for me (and faster), than they were when I graduated with my bachelors degree.
