By Jennifer Wright
Just one year ago, Qiaoyi Zheng MSIT ’17 had never worked in IT.
Today, a year into her Master’s in Information Technology program, she talks about the field like a seasoned professional. Between interning at EY in Risk Assurance and taking a year of classes at Bentley, she now has a solid understanding of technology infrastructure, programming, databases, and more.
Shifting from Accounting to IT
Zheng entered the MSIT program with a history in accounting, having obtained a BS in Accounting from the Tianjin University of Finance and Economics and a Masters in Accounting from Bentley.
While pursuing her degrees she completed several business internships, where she began to recognize just how vital technology is to businesses today. She then decided to shift the focus of her career from pure audit to IT audit.
Her internship experience “made me realize how much IT has changed the way businesses operate and how important its role is in today’s business world,” she says. “A lot of basic business functions are now being replaced by computer programs.”
Zheng sees this as an exciting opportunity: As technology continues solving simple tasks for businesses, it creates new jobs with a focus on overseeing and working with that technology.
These new jobs require a blend of both logical and creative thinking, allowing companies to best utilize the technology they have available to grow more efficient and successful. An MSIT at Bentley, where both business and liberal arts are a focus, was a clear choice to prepare her to enter this field.
The Future of IT
When Zheng looks towards the future of the IT field, she sees no limits. Technology is seeping into every aspect of our daily lives, from smart phones to electric cars, and Zheng is excited at its potential to improve our lives.
“One little breakthrough in technology can change how people live, how businesses operate, and how the world functions,” she says.
This dynamic, quick-moving field means plenty of opportunities for Zheng, but also poses challenges. Since technology is growing at an exponential rate, those in the field must be constantly learning in order to keep up with trends. “The rewarding part is that those people who stay up with the trends will have numerous opportunities,” she says.
With her MSIT, Zheng feels prepared to pursue those opportunities upon graduation. When deciding to attend Bentley, its strong Career Services team and extensive alumni network were important factors to her. With her education and these resources, she is ready to enter the ever-changing field of technology and continue learning every day.