Prospective Students – Page 3 – Commonwealth Scholar

Name: Kayla Mormak

Year in Program: Third Year, MSIS/MPIA dual degree program (Second year of MSIS)

Specialization(s): Security

What made you choose the specialization(s)? I think my biggest draw was the multidisciplinary nature of security studies. My background is in psychology and security/intelligence policy, so the human factors in security are especially interesting to me.

What do you like about the program(s)? Any favorite courses?: I love that we’re being prepared for the workforce practically and theoretically. The concepts presented in lecture can (mostly) be demonstrated with a program or script and they become very real. It’s hard to pick a favorite — but I guess I would have to say Crypto. Maybe I’m crazy, but I love math and puzzles so I found it fun.

What is your title? Scholarship for Service student

What does a typical day at position look like? It’s different for each of us, depending on what projects we’re working on and/or the internships we’re involved with. Currently I’m working on a paper that I’m hoping to publish later this year. A typical day recently has involved working on an IRB (Institutional Review Board) application for a study about social media users’ security preferences, but previously and in the near future will involve equal metric tons of reading and writing.

How does this position relate to your future goals? I am very strongly interested in IT policy, both on a governmental and institutional level. In addition to doing research on user behavior and preferences, the SFS program provides me with the opportunity to work for a governmental organization after graduation. Worst case scenario I get a first-hand look at what needs to be improved, but best-case scenario I can make a real difference in the agency I find placement with.

How are you managing your time effectively? Lots of coffee and lots of calendars!!! I’m currently taking four courses and an independent study, so if I didn’t have everything written down and reminders from my phone I would be a complete mess. I spend about 4 hours a day doing research during the week, and try to get all my homework for the week done on Saturday and Sunday.

What is your favorite part of your job? Having the opportunity to do independent research, and the flexibility to pursue a project that is tailored to my interests. I have support when I need it, but otherwise I have a lot of freedom.

Do you have any advice from prospective students? Don’t be afraid to email professors, whether you have a question or you’re just interested in what they study. They’re people too! They want to help you succeed, and when you’re genuinely interested it means that much more.

Are there any questions that I should have asked? Nope, I think you caught ’em all.

FAQs Series: What experience do I need? (MSIS/MST)

By Jourdan

On March 9, 2015

In Prospective Students

A lot of students that want to apply to the MSIS or MST program are concerned about their computer background. I’m here so bring you comfort and reassurance…and maybe a little fear…just a little. The iSchool at Pitt admits students from from Bachelor of Arts to Bachelor of Engineering. I have a Psychology degree and my buddy has an Economics degree. They accept any and everyone that shows potential and a strong academic or professional background. Information Science in itself is an interdisciplinary field, so naturally students of various backgrounds are welcome to learn and interact!

FAQs Series: Where Can I Live? When Should I Start Looking?

By Jourdan

On March 2, 2015

In Prospective Students

Pittsburgh is separated into several neighborhoods. The University of Pittsburgh is located in Oakland. The School of Information Sciences is located in what is considered North Oakland.

A lot of our graduate students live in the following neighborhoods:

North Oakland
Regent Square
Shadyside
Squirrel Hill North

Students also live in these areas:

Downtown
Highland Park
Lawrenceville
Point Breeze
Remaining Oakland areas
Squirrel Hill South
South Side Flats

Where you decide to live is really dependent on affordability, housing type preference, and location. Many of our LIS students live in Squirrel Hill where there are lots of quaint shops and diverse restaurants and shops. International/IS/Tele students mostly live in North Oakland where it is very affordable and close to the school.

I live in Shadyside where it can tend to get pricey, especially if you do not have a roommate. But the housing is nice and the location is even better with grocery stores, restaurants, and recreation (parks and gym) within walking distance.

Shayla lives in North Oakland. She loves the area because it’s super affordable and a 5 min walk to the iSchool. There’s also very cool and very delicious restaurants nearby. North Oakland also has international markets including Bombay Food Market and Seoul Mart.

When should my lease end?

If you are planning to leave immediately after your program is over…

As an MSIS/MST student, you would want your lease to end in either Dec/Jan or April/May, depending on how many semesters you will be staying and how quickly you can move out. Winter and Spring graduation ceremonies are at the end of December and May.

As an MLIS student, your semester most likely ends in the beginning of August, so you would want to have a lease that ends by August.

Some leasing agencies or landlords are not flexible with their leases or they will increase rates if your yearly lease is shortened. Ask the owners if they have flexible leases or monthly leases to accommodate your needs.

When should I start looking for housing?

You should start researching as soon as possible! I would read information on each of the neighborhoods and start looking at potential housing in the area. If you are able to make an in-person visit, I definitely would make the trip! You can either look around each neighborhood to get a feel, or have leasing agencies take you around to their properties. Most agencies have multiple locations in multiple neighborhoods, so you can really see the difference in your options. A lot of the better properties are filled up by June-July, but other locations do not start accepting new tenants until May or June.

Resources to Learn More About the Neighborhoods
and Available Housing

Craigslist – Lists of available housing. Management companies also use Craiglist for advertisement if you do not want to work with a tenant.
Off-Campus Living – University of Pittsburgh website. Provides rental information and extremely valuable tips on looking for housing in the area.
Padmapper – Will show you the locations of different housing listings. Compiled from several housing resources.

Feel free to ask us more information about housing or our experiences if you need it!

Commonwealth Scholar - The iSchool at Pitt

Check out the life of a graduate Pitt iSchool Commonwealth Scholar!

Category: Prospective Students (Page 3 of 6)

Students of the iSchool: Scholarship for Service (SFS), MSIS/MPIA dual degree program

FAQs Series: What experience do I need? (MSIS/MST)

FAQs Series: Where Can I Live? When Should I Start Looking?

Categories

Archives

Tag

iSchool at Pitt

Commonwealth Scholars