As 2018 drew to a close and 2019 began, the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University marked a period of significant achievements and exciting opportunities, particularly for those embarking on their early careers as analysts. Faculty and students within the Information Systems department were celebrated for groundbreaking research and innovative programs designed to propel graduates into successful analyst roles. This period underscored the department’s commitment to fostering the next generation of talent in the rapidly evolving field of information systems and business analysis.
Launching Careers: The Cognizant Digital Business Analyst Certificate Program
For W. P. Carey alumni seeking to accelerate their professional trajectory, a groundbreaking opportunity emerged with the Cognizant Digital Business Analyst Certificate Program. This unique, non-credit certificate, a result of a collaboration between ASU and Cognizant, a globally recognized leader in business and technology services, was specifically designed to equip graduates with the expertise necessary to excel as business analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a robust 14 percent growth in business analyst roles by 2026, highlighting the strong demand for skilled professionals in this field.
Cognizant’s commitment to the program extends beyond curriculum development. They have generously underwritten tuition and fees for all participants and, crucially, offer job interviews for consulting analyst positions within their company to program graduates. This direct pathway from education to employment makes the certificate program an invaluable asset for early career professionals.
Professor Raghu Santanam, Chair of Information Systems, emphasized the program’s transformative potential, stating, “We have individuals who are perhaps underemployed in certain sectors where their potential and what they’re currently earning aren’t a good match. Those are the types of individuals that will benefit the most from doing a certificate program like this because it gives them a career ladder that wasn’t possible before.” This program serves as an ideal springboard for individuals aiming to transition into or advance within the analyst domain.
Delivered entirely online over 12 weeks, the four-course certificate provides a comprehensive grounding in business analysis and project management fundamentals. Participants gain essential knowledge in digital enterprise foundations and master business modeling tools and techniques, all under the guidance of the esteemed W. P. Carey Department of Information Systems faculty. This program represents a significant boost for any graduate aiming for an early career advantage in the competitive analyst job market.
Early Career Excellence Recognized: Professor Kevin Hong Wins AIS Award
Further highlighting the department’s commitment to nurturing talent, Associate Professor of Information Systems Kevin Hong received the prestigious 2018 AIS Early Career Award. This distinguished honor, bestowed by the Association for Information Systems, recognizes outstanding individuals in the early stages of their careers who have already made significant contributions to research, teaching, and service within the information systems field.
“This is the top award given to junior faculty members in our field,” explained Professor Hong upon receiving the award at the International Conference on Information Systems in San Francisco. “I feel extremely honored and excited to be selected to receive this award.” The award serves as a powerful validation of Professor Hong’s impact and trajectory within the academic community.
Nominees for the AIS Early Career Award are expected to be role models for colleagues and students, command respect beyond the information systems discipline, and demonstrate exceptional professional and personal integrity. The AIS defines “early career” as within seven years of receiving a doctoral degree or within the first seven years of an academic career for those without a doctorate. Winning this award is a once-in-a-career recognition.
Professor Hong reflected on the award’s significance, stating, “It is a huge recognition and evidence that I am at the right place and moving in the right direction. It indicates that I am working in an institutional environment that nurtures and motivates young scholars, which I feel very fortunate to be in.” His dedication to the field, both inside and outside the classroom, exemplifies the spirit of early career achievement.
Investing in Future Tech: State Farm Grant Fuels IoT Innovation and Analyst Skill Development
Recognizing the importance of staying at the forefront of technological advancements, State Farm awarded a grant to the W. P. Carey Department of Information Systems to explore the Internet of Things (IoT). Clinical Associate Professor Dan Mazzola spearheaded this initiative, securing funds to integrate IoT devices and software into the mobile platforms course. This forward-thinking approach aims to cultivate information systems and technology talent equipped to navigate the evolving tech landscape, a crucial skill set for future analysts.
“State Farm has been very supportive of our undergraduate and graduate programs,” noted Professor Mazzola. “They have served on our advisory boards and have advanced the careers of a significant number of graduates.” This grant underscores State Farm’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the development of future technology leaders and business analysts who will work with these technologies.
The $20,000 grant is shared with the ASU Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in IoT development. Professor Mazzola emphasized the grant’s direct impact on students and the workforce, providing tangible opportunities to develop apps relevant to real-world challenges. “Experience and skills with IoT will enable the next wave of IT innovation in business,” he stated. For aspiring analysts, understanding and working with IoT technologies represents a significant advantage in the modern business environment.
Innovation for Impact: TransIT Project Wins Government Innovation Award, Highlighting Analyst Skills
Demonstrating the transformative power of information systems and technology, researchers from the Department of Information Systems developed the TransIT system, earning them an Industry Innovators Award. Clinical Assistant Professor of Information Systems Hina Arora and her student team collaborated with Chemonics International to create a tracking system that ensures the reliable delivery of vital public health commodities.
“This project is a great example of what’s achievable when companies and universities form mutually beneficial partnerships to solve challenging and globally impactful problems,” Professor Arora highlighted. This collaboration exemplifies the practical application of information systems knowledge and the valuable experience gained by students involved in such projects, experience highly relevant for early career analysts.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recognized this partnership with the award, which honors “movers and shakers who are using technology-driven innovations to transform government agencies.” Chemonics International, a leading development company, partnered with ASU to address critical global challenges.
TransIT, the technology developed, is a cost-effective, adaptable, and customizable system designed to meet the specific needs of different countries. The database aggregates data from across the supply chain, from planning to delivery, tracking performance, location, and costs to optimize commodity distribution. The student team also developed a mobile app for electronic proof of delivery. Professor Arora noted the rapid development cycle, from concept to deployment in under a year. Chemonics is currently piloting TransIT in Angola and Mozambique, with plans for further expansion.
The hands-on experience gained by students on the TransIT project was invaluable, with one student even being hired by Chemonics to continue working on the tool and app. Professor Arora emphasized the critical role of such partnerships in workforce development, stating, “As the nature and future of work continue to evolve, partnerships like these between companies and universities are going to be critical in training the workforce of the future and closing the looming talent gap.” The project originated from ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise Development and Lecturer Phil Simon, with Professor Arora and her team building upon the initial design to create the fully functional tool and app.
These achievements and program launches during late 2018 and early 2019 at W. P. Carey School of Business underscore a vibrant environment for early career development, particularly for aspiring analysts. From innovative certificate programs to award-winning faculty and impactful research projects, the Information Systems department is demonstrably committed to shaping the future of the analyst profession and equipping graduates for success in a data-driven world.
