<h2>Phil Carnell</h2><h2>Boeing</h2><blockquote> <h3><img height="250" border="3" width="166" alt="Phil Carnell, CMIS Alum" src="/id0904f67a8055d972" align="right" /></h3> <h3>Application and Data Systems Generalist</h3></blockquote><p></p><p>Graduating Year:&nbsp; 2007</p><p align="left"><em>How have CMIS courses you took at SIUE helped you in your career at Boeing? </em></p><p align="left">I found the programming classes helpful, even though my day to day work does not involve programming.&nbsp; Taking those classes did help me understand some aspects of software development, and definitely helped me in visualizing what is going on behind the scenes of an application.&nbsp; The same goes for the database design class.&nbsp; The ERP software class helped me get an understanding of the role ERP software is playing in today&rsquo;s environment.&nbsp; Also, the networking class helped me gain an understanding of how computer networks function, and that has helped me in my different professional roles.</p><p align="left"><em>Is the business component of the CMIS degree important in your work?</em></p><p align="left">Absolutely.&nbsp; I find that understanding the business side of IT definitely helps me realize why I am doing what I am doing.&nbsp; Also, being able to clearly see and state a business need for an IT solution is an important quality to possess.</p><p align="left"><em>What is the nature of your job?</em></p><p align="left">My work varies from month to month.&nbsp; I rotate in and out of different IT groups and perform different functions in each area.&nbsp; My work so far has included:&nbsp; analyst, systems integrator, project manager, software configuration, and software test analyst.</p><p align="left">Sometimes I perform straight-forward tasks such as testing software.&nbsp; However, I have been put in positions where I need to demonstrate software to customers as well.&nbsp; My work has also included business elements, such as weighing the value gained from the purchase of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products, and improving performance of applications to support paying customers.</p><p align="left"><em>Do you travel in your job?</em></p><p align="left">I do some traveling to nearby facilities in the Puget Sound area in Washington state where I work, and I will be traveling to St. Louis later this year.&nbsp; International travel is not out of the question in my position.</p><p align="left"><em>What is the most interesting aspect of your job?</em></p><p align="left">I am fortunate enough to be involved with a company that produces some incredible products.&nbsp; Getting to work with software that supports and enhances the usefulness of our products is a very rewarding experience.</p><p align="left"><em>Do you feel a sense of reward in your work?</em></p><p align="left">Yes.&nbsp; I have found that in my short time with this company, my coworkers have not shied away from giving me some real responsibility.&nbsp; Knowing that other people depend on my work, and appreciate the effort I put forth, gives me a great sense of reward.</p><p></p>