Page 3 - Education Guide

Wescoe technology degree adapts to industry trends

Muhlenberg College Wescoe School of Continuing Education

Michael Baca, MBA
IS Program Coordinator

We have heard this
story before… The field of
information technology is
experiencing a period of
dynamic growth and
change. We heard it the
1980s when the advent of
the personal computer
brought the power of com-
puting into our homes and
schools. In the 1990s the
emergence of the Web
delivered access to a uni-
verse of information with
the click of a mouse. The
2000s saw the next genera-
tion of the Web emerge,
with people not only con-
suming content but cre-
ating it themselves —
think FaceBook, Twitter,
YouTube and Wikipedia.
Today, we can do all of
that and more with devices
that we carry in our pock-
ets, presenting our society
with a host of technical,
human, and social issues.

Accelerated Information According to James effectively is highly valued ation of Information Sys- now. An academic advisor fered at the Wescoe School.
Systems Degree Lynn, SaaS Portfolio Man- by employers and essential tems, both well-regarded will be happy to help an- Contact our office for a
ager at Hewlett Packard in roles such as business institutions that govern the swer your questions about personal advisement ses-
If there is one thing we Enterprise, “There will analyst, solutions architect, information technology the Information Systems sion: 484-664-3300; wes-
have learned about in- always be a need for project manager and IS discipline. bachelor’s degree or the coe@muhlenberg.edu or
formation technology it is skilled professionals who consultant. other 25+ programs of- muhlenberg.edu/wescoe.
that change is constant. can help their organiza- In addition to strength-
This dynamism presents tions adapt technology to “The revised program ening and broadening the “There will always
risks and challenges to meet their needs. No long- reflects the changing foundational courses, the be a need for skilled
organizations looking to er is information technolo- marketplace and the needs new program covers a professionals who
harness transformative gy relegated to the back of employers,” says Lynn. broad IS spectrum, in- can help their
technologies to advance room. In leading compa- “There is increased empha- cluding software devel- organizations adapt
their business goals. As a nies, they are viewed as a sis on bedrock areas such opment, business intelli- technology to meet
result, employers need strategic part of the organi- as architecture, infrastruc- gence, project manage- their needs.”
trained professionals zation.” ture and security.” ment, finance and IS strate-
grounded in fundamental gy. Of particular note, a Courtesy of Muhlenberg College — James Lynn
information systems con- Information systems Lynn was part of a team unique seminar-based James Lynn SaaS Portfolio SaaS Portfolio Manager,
cepts who know how to professionals entering the comprised of IS profes- module titled “Current Manager, Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard
learn and adapt to a chang- job market must be well- sionals and academics that Topics in IS” will have Enterprise Enterprise
ing landscape. Toward that rounded and comfortable developed the revised content that varies, reflect-
end, we have refocused the working side by side with curriculum, and all are ing contemporary issues.
Bachelors of Information both business and technol- instructors in the Wescoe The program culminates in
Systems (IS) program ogy teams. The combina- School’s program. The a team-based capstone
offered by Muhlenberg tion of technical skills, curriculum was based on project addressing a real-
College Wescoe School of business knowledge and guidelines published by the world need.
Continuing Education. the ability to communicate Association for Computing
Machinery and the Associ- Classes are forming