Becoming a Software Engineer: Daiyin’s career-switching journey

Open doors with Northeastern’s Master of Science in Information Systems

Lifelong learner and career switcher, Daiyin Yu, sought flexible, affordable options for online education. Previously having achieved a law degree, Daiyin pivoted her interest towards a more technical field at her “dream school”, Northeastern University.  

In the online Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)  program from Northeastern, Daiyin is developing the job-ready skills she needs for a career as a software engineer. Through Northeastern University’s College of Engineering, ranked No. 38 in the nation, Daiyin is learning about software engineering from both a technical and business perspective. With this advanced understanding of her future field, Daiyin will be equipped to be a leader in senior roles at top organizations.

Daiyin remembers it was her friends who inspired her to earn this master’s degree and switch her career. “Some of my friends are software engineers, and I admire their work-life balance. I am passionate about high-tech fields and find them incredibly cool. I aspire to be one of the people who drive modern technologies forward,” she reveals, adding, “I know about Northeastern University because some of my friends graduated from there.”

Breaking into tech, with or without prior technical experience

Daiyin previously earned a law degree, which included majoring in public security. However, even with an unrelated background, Daiyin could still pursue the MSIS from Northeastern. There’s an Information Systems Foundations Specialization that students like Daiyin can complete to meet technical knowledge requirements before taking performance-based admissions (PBA) courses. Then, upon earning a B or higher in two PBA courses, and providing proof of an undergraduate transcript, students gain acceptance to the program.

Thanks to the flexibility of the MSIS program, students can study part-time or full-time—allowing them to graduate in as little as 18 months. Daiyin also noted that learning on Coursera is flexible from one day to the next. She mentions, “Attending in-person classes would require me to spend three hours commuting, with some classes starting as early as 8 a.m. This online program allows me to set my own study schedule.” She continues by saying,  “I particularly enjoy the recorded video lectures, as this feature allows me to study whenever it suits me best, often in the evenings when I feel most productive.”

“The degree [being] offered on Coursera played a significant role in my decision-making.”

As she further discusses what it means to be a degree-seeking student on Coursera, Daiyin notes, “The tuition for this online program is significantly lower than on-campus tuition, alleviating any financial concerns I might have had.” Ultimately, she says, “The degree [being] offered on Coursera played a significant role in my decision-making. I had already received an on-campus offer from Northeastern University—however, when I saw the online program, I knew it was the best choice for me.”

Throughout their time in the program, MSIS students can cultivate expertise ranging from database design to Agile development as they prepare for their careers. With the unique mix of courses, students build a set of skills to enable them to secure roles in a variety of fields, including software engineering, information systems, database management, and more. Daiyin is already feeling confident in her mastery of programming languages, specifically, pointing out, “I learned Python and Java here, and the professors helped me build a solid foundation. All of this will help me find a job.” Daiyin is far from alone in her success, too, as more and more students start their MSIS journey with each passing enrollment window. If you see similarities between Daiyin’s story and your own, why not dig a little deeper into Northeastern’s MSIS program today?

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