Student Organization Spotlight: Association of Information Technology Professionals
Olivia Lack, President of AITP.
The Fowler College of Business is highlighting the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), a student organization that helps students gain experience in the information technology industry. AITP offers students a variety of opportunities to grow their professional skills and network. Olivia Lack (Senior, MIS), President of AITP, describes the career-building workshops AITP hosts, the strong connections between students and AITP alumni, and more!
About the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
Q: What is the goal/objective of AITP?
AITP exists to assist students majoring in Information Systems, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering at SDSU. AITP is the premier network of information technology business professionals at SDSU and is dedicated to helping students open doors to their future careers and create a network that will last a lifetime.
Q: What events, gatherings, and activities does your organization host?
We host biweekly events where IT professionals come and share their personal experiences of how they came into their roles and provide future networking opportunities. We also do career-building workshops where we help students with their LinkedIn profiles, resumes, and cover letters. We hold social events where we get to know our fellow students on campus and have fun!
Q: Why should students join your organization?
We are the only organization on campus centered around students looking to get into information systems. We help connect them to other like-minded individuals and other IT professionals in San Diego.
Q: How can a student get involved with your organization?
By coming to our biweekly meetings where you can get to know your fellow MIS or IT focused students, eat pizza, and listen to an awesome speaker from well-known companies in the San Diego area.
One of AITP's meetings from this semester.
Q: How does your organization connect with the community outside of SDSU?
We are heavily connected to our alumni of SDSU and the parent chapter of AITP San Diego. Our parent chapter holds different panels, golf tournaments, and happy hours that our members are welcome to attend.
Q: When does your organization meet?
We meet every other Monday from 11 am - 1 pm in the Metzulti suite on the second floor of the Student Union.
Q: What are your organization’s social media handles?
You can follow us @sdsu_aitp on Instagram, visit our website, or even join our Groupme for weekly updates and the ability to chat with our members.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add about your organization.
We are a small organization on campus and in the Fowler College of Business, but we love having anyone come and learn about being in the IT field and seeing if that might be something that they would be interested in as well. Our dues are extremely low and it includes food at every meeting as well as professional headshots and t-shirts.
Q & A with Olivia Lack, AITP President
Q: As a student leader involved with an organization at SDSU, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far?
I joined AITP during my first semester freshman year and applied to be an officer after my second year as a member. I was the webmaster for the entirety of my third year and then applied to be the president for my final year at SDSU. I love everything about AITP and the professional business way we run our organization.
Q: What experience with your organization has been the most impactful?
We have had speakers from so many well-known companies in the country including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, AT&T, and more. I feel proud to know that AITP helps our members stand out in applying for these roles offered by the companies that come to speak to us.
Q: Why is getting involved on campus important to you?
One reason why I chose to come to SDSU was that they promised to help get their business students a career after graduation and that is something most colleges wouldn't promise. I feel that being a part of organizations like AITP help make this possible because we at AITP at SDSU strive to help give these opportunities to students constantly so that if they want to work hard to get a career after graduating, that chance is available to them.
AITP's 2022-2023 Executive Board.
Q: What has been your favorite SDSU memory so far?
Last year, I got to organize the first Homecoming and Greenfest week back in person and that was such a fun experience because I got to work with so many different people to put on these long-awaited events. We had such a great turnout for both weeks of events and I was happy to bring these traditions back to campus.
Q: What is the best advice you have for future Fowler College of Business students?
SDSU and the Fowler College of Business offer so many different opportunities to get involved and enhance your college experience. Take advantage of all of these opportunities now while you can and you will never regret the memories and relationships that you make.
Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
A quote that I have come to live by is “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.” - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Q: What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
I hope to become an SAP expert in the future and work my way up to a CIO!
RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS
Q: Pancakes or Waffles?
Pancakes!
Q: Instagram or TikTok?
Q: Favorite band?
My top three are Vampire Weekend, Muse, and Bleachers!
Q: Action or comedy movie?
Comedy
Q: Panchos or Trujuillos?
Trujuillos
Q: Favorite show to binge watch?
The Office
Q: Fun Fact?
I love supporting my teams Bayern Munich, Sacramento Kings, and San Francisco Giants!
