Meet our alumni - Christopher-Marc Cumberbatch

What made you choose the MSSE program?

One of my work colleagues, who is an alumni of the program, strongly recommended it after learning that I was interested in studying software engineering. My decision was based on the reputation of the University of Minnesota and that I could continue working while I earned my degree.

What things stand out for you as valuable learning?

One of the valuable skills I've gained is the ability to research and evaluate emerging software technologies. The program emphasized the importance of understanding how and when to leverage new software tools. I am now able to quickly assess emerging software trends without getting too wrapped up in the implementation details. This is something that has proven to be useful in my everyday work.

How has the program helped you in your career?

All of my learnings from the MSSE program have set me up to smoothly transition into a Solution Architect role. The exposure I got to each of the phases of the software development lifecycle has allowed me to better understand and manage customer expectations and to make more informed decisions when designing solutions.

What is your job title?

I'm an IoT Consultant at PTC.

What are your thoughts about the cohort model of learning?

I have really enjoyed learning with the same group of people throughout the program. The way the program is run makes it easy to learn from other cohort members and fostered a sense of comradery in each class. I learned a lot from my classmates and made some invaluable connections during my time in the program.