Tori Miguez, 32, worked her way into a role she loved as a business analyst and consultant.
When she got the opportunity to move from the health care industry to tech, she experienced a slight case of impostor syndrome.
СAPPI didnСAPPt have a background in tech,СAPP says Miguez. СAPPI was in meetings with these very knowledgeable and experienced professionals. It was like they were speaking a different language.СAPP
Miguez previously had earned her B.S. in Psychology in 2014, and her MBA in Healthcare Administration in 2017 from the СAPP.
She was certain she could learn on the job and bridge the knowledge gap over time, but she wanted to find a way to catch up as quickly as possible.
СAPPI wanted to expand my skill set and get some more technical knowledge in my back pocket,СAPP she says.
Through the СAPPСAPPs M.S. in Informatics degree program online, Miguez saw a solution that fit her goals, her strengths as a student, and her schedule as СAPPa busy mom who works full-time.СAPP
Exemplary Deliverables
Informatics coursework proved formidable, but Miguez leveraged strengths she'd developed during her career.
СAPPAs a project lead and business analyst, I have to perform extensive research, go through a lot of material, and take the initiative to learn everything there is on a topic,СAPP she says.
Those strengths were invaluable, but she still met her match in Systematic Methods in Informatics, INFX 502, working on a semester project. ThatСAPPs when her professor helped her rise to the challenge.
СAPPI hadnСAPPt taken statistics in many years,СAPP she says. СAPPDr. Tozal provided me with some resources СAPP reading material and videos to watch with examples that applied to the class project. That was very helpful.СAPP
Ultimately, Miguez was able to master the course content and apply it directly to her role СAPP along with skills built in IT Risk Management, UX/UI design, systems development, networking, data analytics, and Python and SQL.
СAPPEverything that was presented as course content in this program, I was able to apply in some form or fashion,СAPP she says.
Another advantage? Miguez has overcome the tech language barrier.
СAPPIСAPPm not a programmer, so learning the basics of programming languages has been very helpful,СAPP she says.
СAPPSometimes I need to get on a call with a developer and screenshare to troubleshoot an issue. Being able to speak their language more clearly has definitely enhanced my abilities as a business analyst and project lead.СAPP
Making the Most of Her Time
While Miguez loves an in-classroom experience, earning her second master's degree online was the best fit for her lifestyle.
Miguez lives in Delcambre, Louisiana, with her fiancé and 8-year-old son, and her role at CGI is mostly remote.
"There's no way I could have graduated in four semesters if I had to go to campus for classes.СAPP
She estimates studying online saved her at least 90 minutes every day that she didnСAPPt have to commute to campus, 90 minutes she could share with her family, or use for work and studying.
СAPPMy son is eight, heСAPPs in second grade and participates in many extracurricular activities,СAPP says Miguez. СAPPThis was absolutely the best option for me and my family.СAPP
Weeknights, MiguezСAPPs time management strategy was coordinated with her sonСAPPs bedtime so she could use the block from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. for reading and assignments, and then reserve time Saturday or Sunday to tackle what was left.
СAPPMy fiancé has been a huge help,СAPP says Miguez. And when her fiancé had to travel for work, his grandparents stepped in to help too.
Dividends
In addition to a promotion to senior consultant, Miguez stepped up to present during a СAPPShark TankСAPP style competition at CGI.
СAPPNormally I would have been terrified to enter something like this, but I did, and I actually won! Winning allowed me to lead a team to develop a proof of concept from this idea,СAPP she says.
The desire to grow more skilled, capable, and confident motivated Miguez to start her Informatics degree and it appears to have worked out just how she wanted.
СAPPIt has given me the confidence to pursue opportunities that I wouldnСAPPt have otherwise,СAPP says Miguez. СAPPGaining the knowledge that I did, and expanding my skill set, I feel like IСAPPve exponentially increased my job performance and career opportunities.СAPP