Computer information systems student Andrew Patel balances school with full-time work, earning stockbroker certification

Andrew Patel (BS Computer Information Systems '26) was looking for a program that combined technology and business and was available in a convenient, flexible format. This brought him to W. P. Carey, which offers most of its undergraduate degree programs 100% online.

Finding the right college and degree means finding the right fit for where you are currently in life, as well as where you want to be. Andrew Patel (BS Computer Information Systems '26) was looking for a program that combined technology and business and was available in a convenient, flexible format.

This brought him to ASU's W. P. Carey School of Business, which offers most of its undergraduate degree programs — including new programs in artificial intelligence and a number of other exciting disciplines — 100% online, with no in-person requirements. Students enrolled in online business programs learn the same material from the same W. P. Carey faculty as on-campus students, but with the added benefit of being able to take classes anywhere and work on their own time.

"I'm local to the Atlanta area, and compared to my local state colleges, I think W. P. Carey had the superior course selection," Andrew says. "With the online offerings, I was able to pursue other things while still being a full-time college student, so I got to reap both of those benefits at the same time."

As an online student, Andrew has had the opportunity to work full-time within the financial services sector while pursuing his degree. He also took and passed the stockbroker certification exam during his time at ASU. W. P. Carey News spoke to Andrew Patel about how the school and its people helped him balance everything on his plate, and why he feels the experience was worth it.

Why W. P. Carey?

Andrew has had a lifelong interest in technology and computers. "I can remember being fascinated by my parents' Blackberry and when we got a home computer," he says. "I was naturally fascinated by all of those things, so from the jump, I knew I wanted to pursue something like that."

Discovering the undergraduate computer information systems degree at W. P. Carey was a lightbulb moment for him, showing him how technology could be used within businesses to improve operations and decision-making.

Learning online allowed Patel to be a W. P. Carey student while living in Atlanta, and even though he isn't on campus, he feels a strong connection to the ASU and W. P. Carey communities thanks to faculty and fellow students.

"A lot of times, we'll have group projects, or professors will host learning sessions, and it just feels very inclusive," he says. "It feels like I'm there and like we all know each other, even though we just started class a week ago. It's very easy to feel connected and have that community, even though I'm taking online classes."

Why computer information systems?

"When I found out what CIS [computer information systems] was, having that tech and a little bit of business, and then seeing how tech helps businesses make informed decisions," Patel says, "I thought, 'Wow, this is literally the intersection of everything I like.'"

Digging deeper into the relationship between technology and business has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience for Andrew, especially as he's begun working full-time alongside his courses. The computer information systems degree program is delivered by the highly ranked Department of Information Systems within W. P. Carey.

He currently works as a client associate at the financial services firm UBS, and he's been able to apply learnings from his W. P. Carey classwork to real situations he's faced in the workplace.

Andrew shared an example from a class about cloud infrastructure systems. "It was about what that means for productivity, what that means for your clients, what they're getting in the end result, and what services you provide them," he says. "I was able to give a lot of input to my managers when we were discussing how to improve systems at the firm."

He adds, "Learning something on a Thursday and then having a Friday meeting about something I just learned is an insane jumpstart, compared to people who have to go into the business, learn how things get implemented, and then apply it from there."

What's next?

At the end of the last two fall semesters, Andrew was not only studying for finals, but also for his stockbroker certification (Series 7) and his investment advisor certification (Series 66). They were incredibly busy and stressful times for him, and according to him, the fact that his degree program is online provided him with the necessary flexibility to successfully complete the certification exams.

Now he's looking ahead to graduation, when for the first time, he'll be working without attending class at the same time. He acknowledges that there will be an adjustment period.

"I've become so accustomed to managing two really big different things," he says. "I've been working since my sophomore year. I think what I'm looking forward to the most is picking up a new passion."

If there are other highly ambitious students who are considering a similar path, Patel stresses the importance of time management, as well as staying engaged with the school.

"Even though we're online, there are a lot of resources at ASU to get involved," he says. "I know, for me, there were a lot of groups I participated in and shared ideas and built a community with like-minded people."