Student Shares Passion for Information Studies

OMG, you’ve done what?!
When 19-year-old Jim Schultz met with Assistant Dean Chad Zahrt at the School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, to discuss his past work experiences and how they would transfer well to an IT Technician position with SOIS, Zahrt’s response was, “Could you repeat that?” Schultz, an incoming freshman at UWM and student in SOIS’s Bachelor of Science in Information Resources, made the most of his time in high school, but not just by getting good grades and staying active in his interests. An IT aficionado, Web designer, and small business owner, Schultz’s studies and work experience made selecting the right college, and the right program, an easy task.

What made you apply to UW-Milwaukee?
I had 26 college credits through a program at my high school, mostly in the area of Information Technology and networking, so I felt like I had a good start to a college degree already. I wanted to attend a school where my credits would transfer well, and UWM’s Bachelor of Science in Information Resources program seemed like a good match.

The high school I graduated from offered a Youth Options program: they support students who want to attend classes at a local technical college. The school pays for our courses, our books, and all registration fees. It was a really nice option and a great opportunity for me. I had already passed all the technology- and IT-related classes at my high school, so I was really excited at the possibility of continuing my education without having to wait until college.

What does the School of Information Studies at UWM offer that made you want to apply?
SOIS is the only place to offer a BSIR degree. Plus, I love Milwaukee and the university. UWM is a big school without being so big that you get lost. SOIS is much the same way; the school serves a lot of students, but it feels like a close-knit community where everyone knows each other and their professors. There are lots of opportunities both at UWM and in the city of Milwaukee. I feel that there are a lot of different areas I can branch off into here at UWM.

Why was it important to you to work while going to college?
I can gain a lot of experience and get a foot in the door at a prospective employer when I graduate. Hopefully, it will lend itself to not necessarily just a higher salary when I graduate, but also a better position in general. Plus, I’m learning so much!

Where do you see yourself after college, say in 10 years?
I see myself working in the IT field. I’d like to get into the management side of IT. I would like to view IT operations from a big-picture perspective and be able to make impactful decisions on a company’s IT structure.

What advice do you have for a high school junior or senior still looking for a good “match,” a school and program they want to attend?
Ask around and talk to people! Don’t be afraid to get involved in the things you are interested in. You’ve got to start somewhere and the best thing to do is to get involved in your interests and test the waters…see if a particular area or field suits you. I figured, why not work now, while I’m in high school and college, in the areas I’m interested in to find out if I like them or not.