Leading 'the Backbone of Society'

Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program is welcoming the class of 2025 to campus this fall.

With classes getting underway in a matter of weeks, MSIT associate director Stephen Dowling sat down to talk about the incoming class, the state of IT today, and what advice he would give to a prospective student considering the program.

What excites you most about the new incoming MSIT class?  

We have an incoming class with more varied work experience than ever before – a wide array of industries, tenures, and roles. Classroom discussions and group projects benefit from this, and I’m looking forward to a year with rich conversations, debates, and impressive student outcomes.

Cybersecurity seems to be more prevalently talked about than ever before. How is MSIT preparing students to stand out, whether they work directly in cybersecurity or are loosely involved with it?  

The MSIT cybersecurity minor, which launched last year, is a prime example of the program’s dedication to this critical topic. Students who don’t want to pursue the minor can still take courses in cybersecurity, taught by some of the leading experts in the field.

What do you think most people don't understand, or perhaps don't appreciate, about the importance of IT for an organization?  

IT is the operational backbone of society in ways that are obvious and ways that we don’t even think about – it’s not just help-desk functions. MSIT students graduate into leadership positions in everything from law to libraries, healthcare to education. Success in the digital world requires an IT vision, and MSIT graduates are well-equipped to provide that. 

What common questions are you hearing from MSIT applicants?  

The state of the job market is understandably on applicants’ minds; it’s not a secret that the tech sector, broadly speaking, has been going through some ups and downs in recent months. MSIT applicants should know they benefit from the program’s alumni network and University services — like Engineering Career Development and Northwestern Career Advancement – both of which remain available to alumni after graduation. Put another way, career support from Northwestern will be as much of a constant for future job searches as our present and future alumni would like it to be.  

How do you think MSIT graduates differentiate themselves in the job market?  

MSIT alums benefit from the insight and guidance of industry professionals and practitioners, who help them communicate the practical benefits and advantages of their coursework. Our students are ready to do more than implement IT solutions – they can make a business case for the best one. 

What advice would you give an applicant who is starting their MSIT application?  

Be sure to go beyond, "here is why I am interested in graduate school” and into “here is why I want to study with MSIT, specifically.” Part-time applicants in particular should think ahead to how they will navigate the challenge of juggling employment, families, and graduate school all at once, and how successful completion of coursework will live alongside outside-school responsibilities without giving short shrift to any of those competing priorities.