1. HHS Career Day
Sam Dowd
Technology Consultant
Harvard Business School

2. Background- HHS
Grew up in Holliston
Very involved at St. Mary’s and
with Communications at HHS
Video yearbook
Graduated from HHS in 2007
My High School experience in
a nutshell:
Find what you do best, and find
ways to do it constantly.

3. Background- Sacred Heart
University
Started college right after High
School
Worked for the IT Help Desk
(2007-2009)
Worked for the Instructional
Design Department (2009-2011)
Very involved in Campus Ministry,
Media Studies Department, and
Student Government
Graduated in 2011 with a
Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies
and Communications
My College experience in a
nutshell:
It’s all about who you know.

4. Background- Post-Graduate
Education
Framingham State University
Masters of Education in Educational Technology
Anticipated Completion: December 2013
Harvard University Extension School
Masters of Liberal Arts in Information Technology
Concentration in Information Systems Management
Anticipated Completion: August 2014
My Post-Graduate Experience in a Nutshell:
Just Do It

5. Background- Professional
Bigelow Tea Company
Intern (May 2011-September 2011)
Hopkinton High School
Technology Integration Specialist
(September 2011-March 2012)
Harvard Business School
Technology Consultant (March 2012-
June 2013)
McGraw-Hill Education (June
2013-…)
Technical Product Manager, Digital
Platforms Group
My Professional Life in a
nutshell:
Find your passion!

6. 3 Keys to My Success
1. Find what you do best, and
find ways to do it constantly.
2. It’s all about who you know.
3. Just do it
4. Find your passion!

7. Finding what you do best
Do a lot of different things.
Don’t be afraid to be TOO busy.
If you’re doing it just to get into college, stop doing it.

8. It’s all about who you know
Get to know your professors, they are usually well connected
If you have a work study, or a job on campus, do it exceptionally well
Get involved in clubs, the community, sports, your major, campus
ministry, etc.
The more people you know, the more people you have to help guide you
And write you a recommendation/be a reference for you
Make a name for yourself, don’t just be a name at Graduation

9. Just do it
If your employer pays for you to
get your masters: GET IT!
It will set you apart from the
crowd
Do it while you’re still in “school
mode”
Don’t expect it to be just like
undergrad

10. Find your passion
It’s all in the eyes
You know when you’re
passionate about something
It may not be clear right away,
but work hard to find it
Don’t feel like your passion
MUST be in your major/desired
career path
Bring it into your major/desired
career path

11. IT Careers
There are THOUSANDS of careers
Operations- Help Desk, support, training, consulting, network/telecom
services
Development- Software Developers, Software Architects
Project/Product Management- Project/Product Managers, Program
Managers
Database- Database Engineer, Database Admin
Quality Assurance- Quality Engineer, Quality Assurance Specialist
Management- CIO, Director of (Insert Category Above Here)
Each one has a different path, skill set, salary range, outlook, etc.

12. Skills for Success
At least basic knowledge of a programming language
Understanding of how technology impacts a business
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Be able to talk about technology in plain English
Passion and enthusiasm for using technology
Vision and foresight, always staying ahead of bleeding edge of technology

13. Good Certifications for IT
A+- CompTIA certification for computer repair
CAPM/PMP- Project Management Institute certifications for Project
Management
Most valuable IT certification
MCSE- Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
CCNA- Cisco Certified Network Associate
ACSP- Apple Certified Support Professional
VCP- Vmware Certified Professional
CISSP- Certified Information Systems Security Professional

14. More Advice
Get on LinkedIn now.
Network, Network, Network.
Work backwards- Figure out your passion, and find a way to get there.
Think Positive.
Don’t let someone tell you that you HAVE to start at the bottom and work up.
Shoot for the stars.
Don’t plan too far ahead. Things change.
Take your time! Don’t rush, the “real world” will be here for you whenever
you’re ready.