Written by: Jitin Mehta, MS in MIS ‘23
It was a huge decision for me to pursue a master’s degree in the U.S. and it involved a multitude of factors to find the perfect program for me. I wanted to choose a program that is widely recognized and can be completed in a short period of time. After going through a rigorous search and gathering advice from my seniors and colleagues, I chose the University at Buffalo Master of Science in Management Information Systems program as it catered to all my needs and career aspirations.
UB is recognized by major accrediting bodies in the United States and has a world-class educational infrastructure with a diverse alumni base. UB also provides a high quality, yet affordable education. The ecosystem that the School of Management foster allows its students to grow and excel.
With about 4.8 years of work experience in Information and Quality Assurance, I wanted to focus on expanding my knowledge through specialized coursework. To my surprise, UB’s MS MIS program is designed in such a way that it satiates the needs of all professionals with varied backgrounds in IT. One can choose a specialization in any area: Data and Business Analytics, Product or Program Management, Information Assurance, Audits, Cybersecurity, Management Strategy, and MIS Consulting.
The Management Information Systems program gives you a competitive edge as it can be completed in just 10-12 months and is STEM-designated. For an international student with an F-1 visa, it offers an additional 24 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT). It helps you improve your technical and managerial acumen, with better time management and professional competence, giving you an advantage as one can enter the job market sooner with a competitive skillset.
In addition, the Information Security Audit course is approved as a model curriculum by ISACA. The courses that I wanted to enroll in are aligned with major certifications like CISA, CISSP and CRISP. This aids in getting more exposure in the job market and can help transition into top-level executive positions in the industry.
The University at Buffalo School of Management assists you in every possible direction and prepares you to attain a position in the United States. The Career Resource Center (CRC) help you in your job search and career development. Career recruitment fairs, Focus Fridays, LinkedIn profile-building workshops, hosting information sessions by major companies, and personality assessment events are some of the highlights of the CRC. UB also supports the entrepreneurship aspirations of students through platforms like Blackstone Launchpad, and supports their development through accelerator programs, pitch competitions and business case discussions.
There is never a dull day at UB. From academic events to fun activities, the list is never-ending. There is a plethora of clubs and organizations that host various events and competitions. You can indulge and engage in personality development through debates, workshops, volunteering events, holiday celebrations, dance competitions, day-out trips, karaoke nights, festivals, and much more!
I believe UB provides a perfect blend of everything you need for your professional and personal development. UB is truly an ideal place to accelerate your career. I made the right decision by coming to the University at Buffalo.
I can foresee the impact of my Master of Science degree. I am gaining professional expertise, expanding my skillsets, building the confidence to achieve my goals, and handle more responsibilities with ease. Increased knowledge and acumen will help me succeed in our ever-fluctuating job market. The University at Buffalo MS MIS program will help me become a more groomed professional with better decision-making and time management skills. It is helping me improve personally by defining my direction and purpose, ultimately resulting in a better quality of life.
“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”- Rumi
Jitin Mehta recently graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Management with a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems.