Computer Information Sciences

Testimonials

Lindsay Edleman - Class of 2005

"My name is Lindsay Edelman. I graduated from Gwynedd-Mercy College in May 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Sciences. I am currently employed in a fast-paced position as a software engineer for Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin is an exciting place to work because they are a major defense contractor. However, this wouldn't have been possible had I not received an education from Gwynedd. My college career prepared me not only for the technical aspects of employment, but also provided me with the tools and mindset required for surviving in the corporate world. The professors taught not only software related concepts, but also business skills and current events.

Additionally, Gwynedd-Mercy exposed me to many valuable organizations such as AITP (The Association of Information Technology Professionals) that allowed me to develop my leadership skills as a result of my involvement. AITP stresses networking with information technology professionals as well as other students. Through this organization, Gwynedd-Mercy was able to hold their first job fair. At this job fair during my junior year, I met representatives from The Bisys Group, located outside of Willow Grove , who set up an interview with me for an information technology position. I received an offer and accepted the internship for the summer after my junior year. I really enjoyed working at Bisys and was lucky enough to continue working there during my senior year. For my last semester at Gwynedd, I took advantage of the co-op opportunity and completed this at Bisys. A big advantage of the co-op program that Gwynedd offers is that I learned how to make the transition from college to the workplace seamlessly. As a result, when I graduated, I didn't feel the shock of entering the workplace, since I had been exposed to it for over a year by that time. I also made valuable contacts with business leaders, which I can carry with me throughout my career.

The summer after I graduated, I applied to Lockheed Martin and began working there in August of 2005. Since then, I attribute my career success directly to the Computer Information Science department at Gwynedd. The professors were amazing and really took the time to not just teach the textbook material, but also explained and demonstrated through real-life assignments and examples. Learning at Gwynedd provided me the skills necessary to transition across many coding languages, such as Java and C++, due to the object oriented concepts that are stressed in the classroom. As a result, I felt I was well-prepared for the workplace due to the technology skills that I acquired at Gwynedd.

Although most people think that computer majors sit in a lab and type lines of code all day, this is far from the truth. Part of working with computers involves making important decisions and requires working in small or large groups. If you possess an interest in how things work around you, it is my recommendation that you seriously consider a career in CIS. Not only does it allow you the opportunity to work in an exciting and constantly changing industry, but it provides you with a competitive salary, while opening the door to a variety of jobs from software engineer to systems analyst. In fact, software engineering was rated the best job in America according to US News this past year. I believe that technology is the only way we can proceed to the future, so why not be a part of that by majoring in Computer Information Science at Gwynedd-Mercy College ? It was the best decision I have made!"