Point Park Information Technology and M.B.A. Alumna Denice Withrow a Vice President at Bank of America Monday, December 5, 2011
Meet Denice Withrow
Job title: Vice President of Business Technology Integration
Employer: Bank of America
Hometown and current residence: Beaver, Pa.
Majors and degrees earned: A.S. in computer information systems, Community College of Beaver County; B.S. in information technology and management and M.B.A. specializing in management information systems, Point Park University; and D.Sc. in information systems and communication, Robert Morris University
Graduation years: A.S. in 2004; B.S. in 2006; M.B.A. in 2007 and D.Sc. in 2011
What interests you about the field of information technology?
Information technology is an ever-changing field and I really enjoy the security aspect of it. I've always been fascinated with how IT can be used in so many different avenues.
How did you achieve your current position as a vice president at Bank of America?
Before my current position, I worked as a business systems analyst for Federated Investors. I applied to the VP position through Merrill Lynch, which was later bought out by Bank of America. The person who hired me said that my M.B.A., which I had just earned, was the deciding factor for why I was chosen for the position.
Why did you choose Point Park for your bachelor's and master's degrees?
I liked Point Park's Downtown Pittsburgh location, the layout of the campus and the fast-track Saturday option that both degree programs offered. Taking classes on the weekends allowed me to work through the week and not have to worry about being out late at night.
How has Point Park helped prepare you for your career?
The level of education I received at Point Park was current and relevant. The information I gained in the IT and M.B.A. programs encouraged me to do and learn more to reach my goals. Also, the instructors in the programs were very knowledgeable and thorough.
What was one of your favorite experiences at Point Park?
The camaraderie I had with my classmates was very enjoyable. Also, because of the diversity of the students in my classes, I was able to learn about many different areas of business and we could all bounce ideas off of each other. I was always excited to go to class every Saturday. As a non-traditional student, I never felt out of place and that was important to me.
What are some of your future career goals?
My goal is to be at the forefront of the type of technology my dissertation was based on: "Perceptions Regarding Government Mandated Radio Frequency Identification Human Implant Technology." Ultimately, I would like to become an advisor on this topic for one of the president's technology councils.
What advice do you have for students who are pursuing careers in the IT management field?
Read all that you can about technology because it changes so fast. What's current today could be obsolete tomorrow. Don't let your skill set become stale. You have to remain relevant and remember that networking is how future opportunities are made.
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