Paul Hulsbos

Course: Master of Business Information Systems, 2019
Nationality: Dutch
Current role: CE Project Lead, GXBank

Why did you choose to pursue the Master of Business Information Systems?

Coming from a broader Business & Management and Economics background, and after working in Oil & Gas as a Marketing and Business Operations Manager, I wanted to specialise my skillset and enter a more technical field. Information systems has always been a big part of my career, and I had an interest in exploring this mixture of Business and Information Technology.

Please tell us briefly about your research at Monash.

As part of a team, I developed a website to fight the obesity epidemic that is sweeping Malaysia. As part of my final year project, we strived to implement a website that offered a three-pronged approach to fighting obesity; we aimed to educate users about obesity, raise personalised awareness about a user’s BMI level, as well as facilitate a ‘call to action’ through a ‘fitness journey’ which consists of fitness-related diary entries.

Did Monash meet your expectations?

Monash  definitely met the expectations set by a world-renowned university. It provided me with the guidance and tools required to excel in my course, as well as further prepare myself for a new career within the world of Business & IT.

What did you enjoy most about your student life?

Monash provided many opportunities for a well-balanced and engaging student life. There were many events that catered to educational, career and personal contexts. We had educational seminars, career fairs and networking opportunities, as well as a multitude of social or sporting clubs and communities.

What opportunities did you participate in while at Monash?

The Masters of Business Information Systems highlighted an interest in Business Intelligence & Analytics that I did not know I possessed. During my studies, it allowed me to further explore this interest through an internship with FedEx Malaysia, where I was attached to their Planning & Engineering (P&E)Department as a Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst. This role allowed me to explore both back-end and front-end BI functions, as well as to present and demonstrate a newly adopted software to upper-managerial stakeholders, such as the Directing Manager of the P&E Department.

What are your career goals, or your future plans?

My future career goals most likely reside within the realm of Business Intelligence or Business Analysis. However, the benefit of the Masters of Business Information Systems is that it has struck a few interests that I may also pursue in the future, such as fields related to the user interface or system usability. With my newly acquired skills and experiences, multiple IT-related pathways are now open to me.