Balancing academics, work and campus involvement takes dedication and strong time management skills. Rowan University Management Information Systems major Steven B. shares a typical day in his college life, from attending business and technology classes to working in Web Services, serving as a resident assistant and preparing for graduate school.
Getting to Know Steven
Name: Steven B.
Major: Management Information Systems
Concentrations: CUGS (Certificate in Undergraduate Study) in Business Analytics
Year: Junior
On Campus Resident: Yes, Triad Apartments
Academic clubs: Management Information Systems Club, Student Government Association (SGA) representative for the club.
Do you work on campus? Yes, I am a student intern working with Web Services. I assist the project manager and web developers with maintaining Drupal sites, troubleshooting IT-related problems, and answering phones professionally and sensitively. I am also a resident assistant on campus, in which I assess and respond to the needs of 30 residents in my wing. Some of what I do: coordinate, administer, and design campus-wide programs covering aspects of academic success, social connections, diversity, student involvement, and self-management; act as a liaison between residents and Department of Residence Life; counsel peers on personal, academic, and career concerns; manage various administrative duties including maintenance requests, incident reports, and room transfers; assist supervisors in preparing assigned resident halls for hall openings by lofting beds, rearranging furniture, and wiping down surfaces. Most importantly, I enforce and uphold university policies.
Choosing Management Information Systems
Why did you choose your major? I chose to be a Management Information Systems major because I love how the major mixes the study of people, technology, organizations and the relationships among them. I’ve heard many stories where students graduate, get a job, and get bored of doing their job. A large portion of the MIS degree focuses on data analysis, teamwork, leadership, project management, customer service and underlying business theories, so you’ll never hear a story like this coming from an MIS major mainly because you’ll always encounter new experiences and knowledge.
One reason why you chose Rowan? I chose Rowan based off the Management Information Systems program and the affordability of the university. I saw a lot of potential within the MIS program at Rowan and I knew it would be a perfect foundation for me in my career in IT and Analytics. Rowan was also a cheaper option, so that made my decision a lot easier.
My Typical Day as a Rowan Student:
My typical day at Rowan University is filled with a busy, but enjoyable, schedule. I am currently taking 15 credits this semester, studying for exams, preparing for the GMAT/GRE, and balancing a social life with friends and family.
On Monday and Wednesday mornings, I wake up by 7:50 a.m. to make it to work at Web Services by 8:30 a.m., followed by Principles of System Design at 2:00 p.m. After class, I try to usually get lunch from the bagel mart close to Triad Apartments or I just cook something. Then, I try to get as much homework done as possible before my Network Management class at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I wake up around 10:00 a.m. and go to three back-to-back classes from 11:00 a.m. theough 3:15 p.m. I start my day with Organizational Behavior, followed by Design of Database Systems, and then Operations Management. Design of Database Systems is honestly one of my favorite classes thus far, making my Tuesdays and Thursdays more enjoyable. Afterwards, I usually have RA meetings or peer mentor meetings with the Dr. Harley E. Flack Student Mentoring Program through the Office of Social Justice, Inclusion & Conflict Resolution.
Preparing for Graduate School
On the weekends, I use that time to continue studying for exams and preparing for the GMAT/GRE. My ultimate goal is to get accepted into an MBA in Analytics and Information Management, so I try to utilize my time wisely on the weekends to reach that goal. My typical days at Rowan are very busy, but busy is beautiful because the busier I am, the closer I am to achieving my ultimate goal.
Story organized and photography by:
Vanessa Vause, junior public relations major and advertising minor
About Rowan
Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a public research institution ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates in person and online to nearly 25,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro and its eight other locations in southern New Jersey. Rowan focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. The University has earned national recognition for innovation; commitment to high-quality, affordable education; and the development of public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast and among the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, Rowan opened New Jersey’s only veterinary school and is one of only two universities in the nation to offer M.D., D.O., and D.V.M. medical degrees.
Related Posts