MS IS Career and Program Readiness Essentials



MS IS Career and Program Readiness EssentialsComing Soon:Friday, July 21 9:00-10:00 am Eastern US - Webinar: Meet the MS OCS TeamFriday, July 28 9:00-10:00 am Eastern US - Webinar: Meet Your MS Information Systems CoachPlease join Both conversations - there is a LOT to discuss!When Joining the Webinar do the following for each:Enter your name and email address. Enter the session password: Fearless1 Click "Join Now". Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. Must-Do Before OrientationSoftware Skills Development: Many students find the technical aspects of this program challenging. Get ahead of the crunch and use your time before orientation to get hands-on experience using these essential tools. Review the section below: Software Platforms and Services You Will Be Using for details.Be Prepared for Resume Review: Your resume is essential to your job search, first it must be effective, second it must be in Smith Format to be used at Smith. We have developed a seven-phase process to prepare you to compete for jobs in this highly competitive job market. All phases are important - please work through the materials and worksheets in order - everything builds on what comes earlier in the process and it all comes together in Phase 6: Interviewing and Phase 7: Negotiation. If you do not have access to your Smoogle account yet (your,name@rhsmith.umd.edu) yet you can download PDF versions of all worksheets and exercises here: 2017_MSIS_OCS_Onboarding_Files.zipDo Phases 1 through 3 Before Resume Review at Orientation:Go to Phase 1: Self Inventory below and use the worksheets and exercises Go to Phase 2: Map the Market below and use the worksheets and exercisesGo to Phase 3: Structure Your Narrative below and use the worksheets and exercisesSoftware Platforms and Services You Will Be UsingThe MS Information Systems program is a 50%/50% balance between hands-on experiential learning and business strategy development. The program cultivates an understanding of why and how technology is changing every aspect of business coupled with direct experience working within software coding to build information systems and extract meaningful insights from the data they produce.The hands-on code-level work in this program changes from year to year so that the packages used remain highly relevant to the changing expectations of employers. Careers that Smith students will move into at graduation will increasingly require direct knowledge of specific software, frameworks, platforms and application development methodologies. This is a guide to help you prepare ahead of the academic crunch for what you will need to know.This guide has three sections:The Very Basics - Must Know Coding Skills that you will 100% need to have to contribute to the team project assignments Good to Know for Project Presentations. Software skills that will improve the quality and professionalism of your project output.Must Prepare In Advance - gaining familiarity with complex, advanced systems that are difficult to learn. The most valuable and marketable hands-on skills you will develop in this program take time to learn. Students are well advised to get an early start on gaining familiarity with the relevant tools and systems before the crunch of coursework and job interviews begins.The Very Basics - Must Know Coding SkillsSQLSQL Knowledge is foundational and a very basic component of all data analytics performed in this program.If you do not have hands-on experience working with SQL commands to create, modify lookup and merge data from tables, you should learn the basics here at Khan Academy and here at W3schools.PythonPython experience is increasingly preferred by employers who are hiring consultants, technology analysts, business analysts and data analysts out of graduate and undergraduate programs. It is becoming a core skill requirement in more of our academic programming as a result.If you have not had experience using Python before, you should familiarize yourself with the basics of Python language and syntax, and also familiarize yourself with database interactions using Python.Python Basics - click herePython Install and Exercises using Datasets hereDjangoMany of your project assignments will require building a web-enabled application that reads and writes data from a data source. Django is a tool within Python to make the application development process simpler because of its built-in functions. You will want to be able to work with code on your system in Django. To learn the basics and get started, begin here: to Know for Project PresentationsTableauTableau is very useful for visualizing data in executive dashboards. It is a tool many Smith graduates use frequently in their project work and immediately on the job once they graduate. To learn the basics of Tableau go here: teams use Bootstrap in the development of live, web-enabled and interactive presentations of their work. To become familiar with Bootstrap ahead of your projects a great place to start is here: and to see a video explaining what Bootstrap can do for your projects go here: will use Javascript in project work where live, working examples of systems developed are demonstrated. Javascript is easy to learn and a great place to start is here: Prepare in Advance - Highly Marketable Skills You Will WantThe following links provide online resources to practice working with software used in the MSIS program. These are specific tools and technologies that employers who recruit MS Information Systems students are expecting you to have experience working with. These systems take time to learn well enough to claim any proficiency with. Investing time learning ahead of specific course assignments is highly recommended.Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS and other processing platform experience is becoming increasingly necessary in jobs coming out of graduate degree programs. As such, course content will include project work and in class assignments using services like AWS to perform data analysis functions.If you do not have experience working with AWS, you should familiarize yourself with setting up an AWS account and running some basic data services on the platform.Set up an AWS account here.Try this tutorial on setting up a boto library using Python here.Try this tutorial to run Spark and SparkSQL on Amazon Elastic MapReduce here.R and RStudio R is extremely powerful, but also has the reputation of being difficult to learn. Many of the jobs you may be interested in pursuing upon graduation will expect experience using R for statistical analysis.If you have not used it before, you should familiarize yourself with the software and the basic functions in advance of classes. You will be expected to jump into performing statistical modeling and analysis very early in the Data Mining course.RECOMMENDED TEXT and Course Preparation: Introduction to Statistical Learning with Applications in R, by James, Witten, Hastie and Tibshirani, Springer, 2013. [ISL] o website: R to your computer.R can be downloaded from one of the CRAN mirror sites listed at (for instance, you could choose ).Download and install RStudio from A FREE PDF copy of the text hereDownload Datasets for the Introduction to R exercises hereDownload the R Code for lab exercises hereRead Chapter 2 - especially 2.3 Introduction to R and 2.4 Exercises2.3.1 Basic Commands2.3.2 Graphics2.3.3 Indexing Data2.3.4 Loading Data2.3.5 Additional Graphical and Numerical Summaries2.4 Exercises Forecasting: Principles and Practice, by Hyndman and Athanasopoulos, 2012. [FPP] o This is an open-access text available from: Data ToolsCoursework throughout the program will provide opportunities to apply statistical modeling techniques and perform marketing analytics functions on large datasets. The Big Data Analytics course specifically uses these tools in a hands-on manner in which all students will install Hadoop, Hbase, Hive, Mahout Spark, then grab datasets from Social Media and other datasets. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with downloading and installing these tools. Download and Install Big Data Tools:Apache Hadoop Online Documentation: Hbase: Hive: Mahout - Scalable Machine Learning Library: Spark: This Tutorial: Simple WordCount Tutorial using Hadoop MapReduce Useful Big Data Resources:Deep Learning: Large Network Dataset Collection: Time Series Data Collections: Testing Data: Online Data (Facebook Graph API and Twitter Stream API)Facebook Graph APITwitter Stream APIQuandl: financial, economic and social datasets Data Project ChallengesKaggle: 01: Self Inventory OverviewSelf Exploration AssessmentsThese are key questions about yourself and your goals that you will need to have answers to.Why did you decide to get an MS degree or MBA ? What do you perceive as your greatest strengths or weaknesses? What are you passionate about? Describe your dream job what is it look like?What is your ‘why’ that will drive you to take action when you don’t feel like it?Career Leader and Strength Finders assessment toolsWhat is most important to you in a career?If you were to envision yourself in a land of ultimate possibility, what would you be doing?The following worksheets and exercises will provide a structure to help you put the answers into resume and interview preparation format.Self Exploration/ Assessment WorksheetCritical Experiences AnalysisWhich accomplishments are you most proud of? How do you see the curriculum of this program filling gaps?What problems do you love solving for yourself or your team?What projects or tasks have given you a deep sense of engagement?The following worksheets and exercises will provide a structure to help you put the answers into resume and interview preparation format.Critical Professional Experiences Analysis WorksheetCritical Academic Projects Analysis WorksheetPhase 02 - Map the Market OverviewA great place to start your research is to look at the following research that has been done for you:Who Hires MSIS Students from Smith?The 2017 MS Information Systems Industry OutlookThe 2017 MS Information Systems Career Functions RoadmapCareer ResearchKey questions to seek answers to:How did the careers that you've researched align with your personality and interests?At networking events, how comfortable have you been speaking with people who are doing the type of work you plan to be doing in your target role? Explore the Trends, Insights, Advice, Resources, Assignments (TIARA ) framework for each industry you are targeting in your job search.Resources You Can UseMSIS Industry Research Essentials - WorksheetMSIS Job Role and Function Essentials - WorksheetThink About Non-Profits for Internships - Information SheetCareer Research Tools - Resource ListCritical Experiences Gap AnalysisExamine the profiles and biographies of professionals in senior roles at the companies you wish to work for. What experiences and job roles let them in their path to that position?What specific skills and experiences do you feel you need to acquire to move forward in your career?Resources You Can UseCritical Experience Gap Analysis WorksheetDeveloping a Career PlanHow can you align the Smith academic program with your careerHow can you align Clubs and Student Associations with your careerIdentify specific opportunities outside of Smith with your career goalsResources You Can UseLeveraging Smith In Your Career Plan - WorksheetPhase 3: Structure Your NarrativeLet’s find some answers to the following questions:How do you want people to view you at this stage in your life? How do you present yourself to the world around you? What is the biggest misperception your peers have about you?How do effectively challenge misperceptions about you? What are the stories you tell about yourself? Which stories do not serve you well? What is your social media persona? What makes you unique?How did you add value...so what?Brand Development / Value PropositionWorksheets and Exercises to Help YouCustomizing Your Value Proposition - WorksheetBuilding Your Brand - Must-Do To-Do ListResume PreparationResume Format Requirements for the Robert H. Smith School of BusinessA Resume Strategy The Works for MS Information Systems StudentsHireSmith Profile and Resume Approval ProcessResume Quality and Positioning Tools:Resume-Builder SAR story worksheet - WorksheetColor your resume - resume review and tuning exerciseCover LetterCover Letter Format RequirementsSample Cover LetterA Cover Letter that Works for MS Information Systems StudentsTell Me About Yourself (TMAY) PracticeYou have already structured all of the component pieces to help you navigate these answers in a professional setting. Practice saying out loud what you have written in the corresponding exercises. Use the material you created from the previous sections (Phase 1: Self Inventory, Phase 2: Map the Market, and Phase 3: Value Proposition) as preparation for answering the questions.Tell me why you made the choices demonstrated on your resume? Why did you choose your major as an undergraduate? Tell me what is memorable inspirational and passionate about you? What three words would you use to describe yourself in relationship to the interviewer and the job you are seeking?Resume Format Requirements at The Robert H. Smith School of BusinessBy enforcing a standard font, spacing and page layout, employers can more easily work with us to find you.Document Layout, Font Size and Spacing RequirementsLength: 1 Page. For inclusion in Smith or student club resume books (print or electronic), all resumes are required to be one-page.Students with eight or more years of experience should consult with a career advisor.Font: Times New Roman font. Avoid use of italics. Limit use of bold.Font size: must be consistent throughout resume Minimum 10pt, Maximum 12pt.Note: your name should be larger, up to a 14 point font.Margins: no less than 0.5 inches, ideally between 0.75 inches and 1 inch.Whenever possible, make margins consistent on all sides.Format:Dates right justified across from company name. List year only, not months, e.g., 2005 – 2008.List location (city, state) immediately after employer or school name.Bold your name, section headings, educational institutions, degrees, employer names and job titles.Spacing: leave space between the header and content in each section. Also leave space after the content in each plete Smith School Resume Formatting Requirement Click HereA Downloadable Microsoft Word Resume Template with Smith Formatting already applied to itA Resume That Works for MS Information Systems!Resume Sections and How to Use ThemProfessional Experience, Project Work and Community Involvement Sections: Every project or task you describe should tell a complete story. A complete story describes the following things:Business Purpose - why you did the work from a business perspectiveYour Role in the process of doing the work you are describingBusiness Capabilities demonstrated in the course of the workTechnical Capabilities (software, platforms) you used Scale and Complexity of the work (how big, how many, etc.)Results or Impact of the work (if you know it or can find out)Use This Tool to Build Your Professional Experiences Stories - WorksheetUse this Process to Check Your stories for Completeness - ExerciseAcademic Projects Use This Tool to Build Your Academic Project Stories - WorksheetUse this Process to Check Your stories for Completeness - ExerciseTechnical Skills and CapabilitiesMSIS Graduates will be expected to have BOTH hands-on technical skills and business school strategy and analytical capabilities to use them. Most students have more of one type of skill. List your skills in order of your strengths If you have Mostly Strong Coding skills Lead with themLanguages: (e.g. Python, R, SQL, HTML, CSS, Java)Platform / Tools: (e.g. AWS, SalesForce, GitHub, Social Media Data)Development Methodologies: (e.g. Agile, Waterfall)Software: (e.g. Tableau, Excel, Microsoft Project)Capabilities: (e.g. Data Mining, Data Cleansing, Predictive Modeling)If you have Mostly Analytics skills Lead with themCapabilities: (e.g. Data Mining, Predictive Modeling, Sentiment Analysis)Software: (e.g. Tableau, Excel, Microsoft Project)Development Methodologies: (e.g. Agile, Waterfall)Languages: (e.g. Python, R, SQL, HTML, CSS, Java)Platform / Tools: (e.g. AWS, SalesForce, GitHub, Social Media Data)If you have Mostly Business skills Lead with themCapabilities: (e.g. Business Requirements Assessment, Project Management)Software: (e.g. PowerPoint, Tableau, Excel, Microsoft Project)Development Methodologies: (e.g. Agile, Waterfall)Languages: (e.g. HTML, CSS, Java)Platform / Tools: (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter)Resume Content Structure Requirements - In OrderTop of Page: Your Name and Contact InformationSection 1: EducationSection 2: Technical Skills and CapabilitiesSection 3: Professional ExperienceSection 4: Projects and Accomplishments (if applicable and Space exists)Section 5: Community Involvement (if applicable and Space exists)Section 6: Personal Interests (if applicable and Space exists)Lead with your strongest section as it relates to the job you are applying forIf your Professional Experiences section is stronger than your Technical Skills and Capabilities section (based on the job description), place it below EducationAs you develop significant Academic Project accomplishments at Smith, your Projects and Accomplishments section may potentially be more relevant than your Professional Experience (especially if you have very little professional experience at the start of the program).As you would with specific technical tools, analytics models and software in the MSIS program you may be able to expand your Technical Skills and Capabilities section to the point where a two or three-column format may be necessary to manage space. You may also move this section below Education if it was too weak of a section t the beginning of the program.Education Section: If you have an exceptionally high GPA or test score - put it inCover Letter in Smith FormatThe font, margins and overall look and feel of your cover letter should match your resume so the two documents fit together visually when laid side by side.Must-have: Same Contact Information block on both documents.Click here for some sample cover letters and a complete cover letter worksheet.Cover Letter That Works!Why Bother? If:A lot of companies do not require a cover letterA lot of cover letters never are read even when requiredCover letters take timeThen: Why do it?Here’s WhyA Cover Letter is Easy to Write and Customize for Every Job If You Have a SystemStep 01. Use My Resume Stories Worksheet to build your resume and Save it. When you use the worksheet you create three things, each describing the complete SAR story of your work in a format that you can use over and over againInterview Success Story (very important to practice these)Cover Letter Experience Highlights (which you can drop into any cover letter)Your Resume Bullet PointsFor each Professional Experience Use This WorksheetFor each Academic Project Use This WorksheetStep 02. Use my Color Your Resume process to map the Job Description (for the position you are applying to) to your Resume. You will clearly see which stories from your resume to tell on your cover letter. Copy and Paste the Cover Letter version of the appropriate career story from the resume building worksheet into the body section of the cover letter.Step 03. Customize the Opening paragraph and make modest edits to the information you copied and pasted - but feel confident the examples you are citing fit the job and that the content you provided is telling the complete story.Sometimes Months pass between the time you apply for a job and the time you are asked for a screening interview.Your cover letter is your reference sheet to how you aligned your resume to that job and company. Review it before your phone interview. Have handy the complete interview version of the stories you cited so that the information you share over the phone is expanded yet still complete. ................
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