Public Administration Degree Accomplishments

Growing up as the only child of a maintenance worker and a third grade teacher, the value of education and the motivation to learn and perform well were always stressed. Completing my masters of public administration degree is my most notable accomplishment. While completing the application process, my grandfather died. Unfortunately, nine months later my grandmother died during midterms. It was challenging. Prior to my grandparents passing, I had never experienced such poignancy. Additionally, the course load was substantial and internships were required for those without prior experience. Although I obtained an internship, the hours initially discussed were insufficient. My hours had to increase in order to meet the requirements. Working
twenty plus hours with considerable amount of responsibility during an internship, a full course load, studying and other commitments forced me to preserve. I became the first person in my immediate family to obtain an advanced degree.
As a child, I remember carrying around my V-Tech Learning Laptop everywhere I went. I was mesmerized by its functionality and could become immersed in the games for hours. This is where my enthusiasm for information and technology began. My decision to study Management of Information Systems was influenced by my experience during my internship with North Carolina State University’s Human Resources department. Many of my projects consisted of managing information using management software such as PeopleSoft and People Admin. Data entry, data cleansing, finding and sorting data were prominent tasks and I was happy to do it. Management systems was a course that I thoroughly enjoyed and I learned that it is applicable to every organization. Organizing information in a systematic and efficient manner is a strength that I would like to hone with a Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS/MIS) degree from the Muma School of Business at the University of South Florida.
Employment, extra-curricular, and service activities have also helped prepare me for the demands of earning an MS/MIS. As a freshman, I worked at the local Dollar General Store. With this being my first job, I was determined to do the very best that I possibly could. I worked very hard and my manager took notice as did the customers. It was important to me to maintain and increase my work ethic. My employment at Dollar General has taught me lessons in interacting with people of diverse racial and educational backgrounds.
Through my service as a Wabash-Provost Scholar (WPS), I contributed to the betterment of the academic and social climate at the university. As a Scholar, I was an undergraduate co-researcher gathering information on how students at the university experienced college life and the role the university plays in promoting student growth in various areas. My involvement with the WPS has helped student voices be heard, and improved the overall quality of the university.
It is moreover encouraging to know that the faculty at the University of South Florida (USF) not only educates their students on the concepts of information science, but does their part to contribute to the advancement in the information systems and technology arena. I was quite impressed with the work that university is doing and how much the alumni appreciate the role the University of South Florida and its faculty have played in their lives.
I have a fire within me and I am confident that the rigor of University of South Florida’s MS/MIS program will not only refine it but also add further fuel. I am extremely eager to learn more about information systems and how to help change the communities in which we thrive. I am resolute that my academic preparation will facilitate my successful progression through the program and my eventual profession. I believe USF will help me do just that. Receiving my MS/MIS degree from USF will help maximize my potential and make me a better advocate for social good.