Ryan Kistenmacher
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MIS, UT Austin 2008
What work brought you to your job today?
While at UT, I interned three times (Chevron, Microsoft, and Chevron again) and participated in large projects during each term. I enjoyed the challenges and opportunities that "project work" provided, and I decided that consulting would allow me to continue taking part in large transformational projects for various types of businesses. By designing the systems that run businesses, you really learn what makes them tick.What do you do in your current job?
This is a hard question to answer for consulting, since job responsibilities vary with each role and client. I see this as a large benefit of consulting, since I can learn about different aspects of businesses while working for the same firm. Currently, I work within Systems Integration and focus on connecting IT systems during major software implementations. In my first year, I've worked with two clients in the government and energy industries.What do you value from your MIS education?
MIS gives you the skills to understand the machine behind business. Most great business ideas today require a large technology component. MIS teaches you not only how this machine is built, but how technology itself can actually create new ideas that take businesses in totally new directions.What is your advice for current students?
Get experience. Use internships to discover what you enjoy (or what you dislike) and start developing skills that can get you the job you want. Work hard in your MIS classes, since you will have many real-world experiences that build knowledge and give you great interview material.