Adrian Weselin

Contact

aw4qs@virginia.edu

Position, company, location, and industry

Special Projects Manager & Finance, Capital Pride Alliance, Washington, DC
Industry: Nonprofit

How has the M.S. in MIT Program helped you create value in your current role or organization?

My network has grown, so I’m able to tap into those resources for q&a, especially when talking about new technology deployments and speaking to others who have direct experience in it.

What strategies have worked best for balancing coursework with your full-time job and personal life?

I read coursework before work, during my lunch, and then after work. My weekends are also dedicated to coursework and I build in time for the gym and some social activities.

How have your classmates’ experiences and backgrounds enhanced your learning?

It’s great being able to learn from others and gather more industry insights. Coming from the commercial/private sector, I didn’t have a good lens on the federal space and how they operate and what hurdles they face.

Which course or module has had the greatest immediate impact on your thinking or work?

I’ll say so far it’s Mod 2, as this digs into project and program management. Additionally, this covers digital transformation and change management. Ultimately, the big success of these initiatives depends on the human engagement and buy-in, which must be taken into account.

What made you choose a program like this at this point in your career?

I was looking to fill in the space between my business background and MBA and technology and M.S. in Cybersecurity. In order to become better in operations and strategy, I needed to understand the technology frameworks better and gain insights into both federal and commercial space as I’m targeting C-suite roles.