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Alumni Highlight: Lianne McNaughton

Graduating in 2013 with her MS in MIS, Lianne has moved to Jamaica to start a nonprofit.

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Lianne speaking at a panel during IS&T's CodeCrush Immersion Experience

Name: Lianne McNaughton
Graduation Year: 2012 (BS) and 2013 (MS)
Degree(s): Bachelors and Masters in Management Information Systems
Current position/title: Founder and Executive Director for Youth Can Do I.T. Foundation and IT Agile Consultant and Project Manager

Congrats on your move and starting your own non-profit! Can you tell us a little about your decision to create your own non-profit?

Two of my favorite quotes that I’ve always lived by are “Be the change you wish to see in the world, and “Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime”. From high school throughout college to post-graduation I always wanted to help and be of service to others. After I graduated I was still volunteering and helping when I could but I felt like I was doing it in the wrong place (geographically). So I made the decision to return home (Jamaica) to start the organization.

Youth Can Do I.T. Foundation is a manifestation of everything that has contributed to me becoming who I am today. There are four main pillars – Technology, Professional & Personal Development, Faith, and Physical Wellness. The vision behind it is to educate, engage and empower the youth via workshops, hands-on and interactive learning sessions under one of the four pillars.

Passion proves purpose.

 Lianne McNaughton

Do you have any advice for students that want to do the same?

Passion proves purpose. Don’t get caught up in trying to figure it all out now, no one has it all figured out – I certainly don’t. Find things that you are passionate about and do more of it; volunteer, get involved in organizations with common interests, attend conferences and events etc.

As a graduate of IS&T, what class and/or professor had the biggest impact on you in guiding your future career?

IT for Development with Dr. Peter Wolcott was my “aha” moment. Even though I was pursuing my Masters at the time, I was still trying to figure out what direction I should go in this ever-changing, expansive technology space. I was doing things, but nothing truly excited me – until I had the IT for Development class. I realized that technology for me technology (such as creating an app or website) is not the end solution, but the means to the ends in which I can help, develop and empower people.

What’s the biggest misconception you think is out there about careers in IT? Why are you happy with your choice to pursue a degree in IT?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about pursuing I.T. degrees or careers is how hard it is and how smart you think you have to be to do it.

Incidentally, pursuing an I.T. degree was more of a “why not” decision instead of a deliberate one. Because I grew up in a technology-centric family, I tried everything not to pursue a career in I.T. (somewhat of a rebel without a cause J ) but when I had to choose a major I went with the path of least resistance and chose M.I.S. Fortunate for me things worked out and I am glad they did because I love what technology can do for people and not just what it does. I am glad I get to help people and empower them to make their own lives better with technology.