“The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passion.”

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

I am not afraid to say that I am half way to happiness because I have a great passion in my life – Computers! The sphere I have decided to dedicate my future career to is Computer Information Systems. I believe that it is a very broad field and there are many opportunities out there.  Nowadays it is hard to imagine any business functioning without using computer systems.  Specialists are needed to produce and install computer information systems and to develop software for them. Besides technician, the industry also needs professional managers that oversee computer-related activities of the business and create business plan for future development of the company.

From the first day I used a computer in high school, I knew that my future career would be related somehow to computer science. Since I was good in programming in high school and later in college (State University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia ) where my major actually was Computer Science, I decided to become a programmer. During three years in college, I learned different software applications such as BPwin and ER-Win that are helpful for modeling and controlling business processes. I also got acquainted with SAP and ORACLE systems that are widely used the major corporations in the world.

However, in the last couple of years I have realized that I am more interested in using the software rather than creating it. Therefore, when I transferred to LaGuardia Community College in Spring 2007, I changed my major to Business Administration. I am planning to get my degree by the end of Fall 2007 and transfer to Baruch College to obtain a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Computer Information Systems. I have found the way to combine my passion for computers and willingness to work with people.

 
My experience in LAGCC has been good so far. With a GPA of 4.0 I consider myself as a diligent student. I have a great passion for studying because now I know the difference between going to college because I have to and going to college because I want to study, to get knowledge and to become more than just somebody in this life.
 

As for my work experience, I have been working since I was 17 years old, but unfortunately none of my previous jobs were directly related to the sphere of Computer Information Systems. However, working as a coordinator of marketing projects in an advertising company and as an assistant manager in the restaurant helped me to improve my communication skills which are becoming more and more valuable in a business world. Moreover, my personal qualities can be also useful in my future career. I am responsible and extremely hardworking. If I have a goal, nobody and nothing can stop me from reaching it. I am also self motivated, reliable, and patient. I can easily adapt to changing conditions and stay calm and rational under pressure. I believe that hard work and passion are the keys to success.