Networking, one of the great ways to accelerate your career, came to Monroe on a rainy Thursday evening as the Alumni Association hosted a party for a select group of Information Technology (Computer Information Systems) alumni, along with some of our outstanding current students.

Held in our brand new "Alumni Welcome Center" located on the fourth floor of West Hall, the party was designed to get old friends and new acquaintances together in an informal setting. Guests enjoyed an ample assortment of wines and cheeses in a room decorated with fresh cut flowers.

The pictures of successful alumni displayed on the walls of the Center served as a great ice breaker.

Alumni shared their job experiences, and talked about current trends in the world of information technology. Several expressed amazement at how Monroe and the CIS / IT major have grown over the years. Comments like "I remember when we were taught key punch and word processing and not much more," were illustrative of the amazing growth we have experienced in recent years. Today's programs contrast greatly, with students learning how to implement networks, integrate hardware, software, and human resources in a client-server environment. They are taught to think critically and to communicate and work effectively as part of a team, which is essential in the modern technological office environment.

The Networking Party for IT majors will be repeated for other majors in coming months. The party was a great way to bring together alumni and students, to share common experiences, and meet new people and develop mutually beneficial relationships.