MSIS degree provides skills to do more in industry, academics

“This degree was the bridge between my hands-on experience and my aspiration to contribute to both industry and academia.”

Sirodhar Athyala, Outstanding Student for Trine University’s Master of Science in Information Studies program for the Class of 2026, had more than five years of experience in database management and web development, but wanted to deepen his understanding from a strategic and analytical perspective.

“The MSIS degree at Trine offered the perfect balance — technical depth in areas like ServiceNow and cloud computing, combined with research exposure that enabled me to publish papers and serve as a peer reviewer for the IEEE Internet of Things Journal,” he said.

Applying technical expertise in the real world

Sirodhar chose Trine University because of its strong emphasis on bridging technical expertise with real-world application.

“The MSIS program's curriculum is designed not just to teach concepts but to develop problem-solvers who can lead in both industry and research settings,” he said. “Additionally, Trine's supportive faculty and the flexibility of the program allowed me to pursue my interests in IT service management, web development and even academic peer reviewing — all while building a strong professional network.”

He particularly appreciated the opportunity to explore emerging technologies while staying grounded in core information systems principles.

“The faculty's willingness to support student-led initiatives ­— whether it was preparing a paper for publication, presenting at a conference or reviewing high-impact journal manuscripts — made all the difference,” he said. “I also appreciated the real-world case studies and hands-on projects, which never felt theoretical or disconnected from industry needs."

Now that he has graduated, he plans to build responsive, high-performance artificial intelligence/machine learning applications and optimize front-end systems. He also will continue serving as a peer reviewer for IEEE journals and presenting at conferences.

He is considering a Ph.D. in the future.

“My long-term goal is to work at the intersection of IT operations, cybersecurity and human-centered design, contributing to systems that are both intelligent and explainable," he said.

“I would recommend the MSIS program at Trine to anyone who wants to grow beyond being just a ‘technical professional’ into a strategic thinker and researcher,” he commented. “The program doesn't just teach you tools; it teaches you how to evaluate, optimize and innovate within complex information systems. Whether you're aiming for a leadership role in industry or a research path in academia, Trine's MSIS program provides the foundation, mentorship and opportunities to get there.”