Kei Cooper

Contact

jut5eb@virginia.edu

Position, company, location, and industry

Release Train Engineer, Prime Technical Services (Leidos), Adelphi, MD
Industry: Government contracting (cloud security)

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

Through the program, I’ve been able to bring actionable insights back to my organization, particularly in how we structure our teams and enhance our current business practices. Regular touchpoints with my supervisor have allowed me to share what I’m learning and apply management frameworks and tools that are directly contributing to my success in my role.

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

My approach is to tackle each class systematically by first reviewing the material and identifying what needs to be read, watched, or understood before the next session. I use an AI tool to create a 90-minute daily study plan for all readings, starting three days after each class. I also block out four hours of uninterrupted time for major assignments and allocate two hours for minor ones. With two toddlers at home, time for schoolwork is precious. By scheduling my study time in detail for the month and adding it to our family calendar, I’m able to secure dedicated time to stay on track with my coursework.

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

The diversity of industries and methodologies represented by my classmates has been invaluable to my learning. Being exposed to different perspectives and approaches has broadened my thinking considerably. Additionally, the external events we’re invited to attend have enhanced both my learning and my overall experience in the program.

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

So far, Module 1 [Enterprise Architecture] has been directly impactful, but I believe Module 2 [Digital Transformation] will be even more so.

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

I needed to transition from being a contracting subject matter expert to becoming a strategic thinker and leader who leverages key relationships, contributes to the profession, and drives organizational impact rather than just team level impact.

What has surprised you most about the learning experience so far?

The level of detail the faculty has invested in ensuring the lessons are relevant to current industry practices has impressed me. The material feels contemporary and applicable. I don’t feel like I’m learning outdated concepts from decades ago.