Meet Ralph: Champlain MSMIIT Student
In the fast-paced world of information technology, Ralph T. is confident he's on track for career advancement, thanks to his graduate studies at Champlain College.
"I noticed that a lot of other programs dealt only with the actual programming. The management skills were the areas that I really desired to polish. I wanted to learn the framework of innovation and, most importantly, the best techniques to introduce innovation to a company that may not welcome innovation."
On the benefits of an online education
"As a family man, I knew I needed an online program due to my personal and professional obligations. After vigorous research on the top online programs, I noticed that Champlain College was well-reviewed, and the College's curriculum really impressed me."
On real-world application of his new skills
Ralph has applied much of what he has learned through Champlain in his job at Marriott International, where he is the lead Drupal Web developer, and hopes to advance to upper management and other leadership roles in the IT field. He says Champlain's master's program will help propel him. "I could not find another program that had a focus in IT leadership. IT is a very strong career path that is still growing, and the industry will continue to need good leaders," he says.
"The program has taught me how to prepare for my meetings. I've learned how to communicate with and listen to the individuals I work with. I've learned what type of personalities I work best with and what personalities work best together. Most importantly, I've learned a lot about myself. I understand my internal blueprint that brings out the best parts of me."
On the required on-campus residency
"In one week, I learned more about myself than any other experience I can think of. What I learned about myself helps me to navigate through the corporate world much smoother than ever before. I had the opportunity to network with some great people and had lots of fun in the process. It was really fun how lessons were taught through interactive activities. They were entertaining and educational at the same time," he says.
Ralph, MSMIIT student