Corrin Morgan is a second-year student in the Master of Information Management and Systems program. Prior to the I School she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.Sc. in information science.
What is your favorite thing about the I School?
Without a doubt, it’s the incredible community. I’ve forged bonds here that I know will last a lifetime. I’ve been blessed to meet some of the most talented and caring individuals here. We cheer each other on, celebrating victories and lifting each other up during challenges. I couldn’t be more grateful for each and every one of them.
Furthermore, the diversity of perspectives has expanded my worldview. When you engage with people from different backgrounds and varied experiences, there’s always something new to learn and appreciate.
What has been the most surprising thing about your experience here so far?
To be honest, when I first arrived at grad school, I had this preconceived notion that it would solely be an exercise in mastering the art of designing visually stunning projects and crafting impeccable case studies. However, the most surprising revelation has been that I already possessed a solid understanding of these technical aspects. What truly caught me off guard was discovering who I am as a designer and honing in on what special skills I bring to the table. Engaging with fellow designers and navigating through unique challenges has not only prompted me to step out of my comfort zone but has also provided invaluable opportunities to refine my skills and articulate my design decisions with greater purpose and clarity.
What is your favorite class?
My favorite class was Leadership, Management, and Collaboration with Judd Antin. It completely redefined my perspectives on leadership. Before taking the course, I had a lot of reservations about pursuing “managerial” roles in my career. I feared it meant wielding control and bearing the weight of every decision alone. From reading the case studies as examples to engaging in class discussions and activities, I learned new strategies for how to lead with empathy, humility, and transparency. These are lessons that I will definitely carry with me for the rest of my life.
What do you aspire to do in the future?
As a next step, I would love to work for a design agency, where I can build on the client work I’ve honed at the I School and further my growth as a designer. If I am lucky, the agency will get acquired so I can also get experience working in a larger company. I am so curious to know what that experience is like.
Looking ahead, my long-term vision includes working for an incubator, aiding small businesses in enhancing their digital presence affordably, alongside owning an event space of my own, and getting a puppy!
How have your prior experiences led you to this point in your life?
I’ve experienced my fair share of trials, particularly during my final year of undergrad, where unforeseen hardships made it challenging to plan for the future. Yet, amidst the turbulence, I was blessed with unwavering love and support from my family. At that time, I felt lost and I used my passion for visual design and desire to enact positive change as my guiding light. I researched different career options and found that UX was the perfect place for that light to shine. I experienced a lot of rejection in pursuing it as a career path and took on some odd jobs to make ends meet. Serendipity led me to find my mentor whose guidance was invaluable. She is a UX Design Lead and we have so much in common. It was almost like a science fiction movie where a future version of yourself comes to tell you about the future. She understood where I was coming from and where I wanted to go, so her recommendation to go to grad school felt like the right step for me.
Choosing Berkeley gave me the opportunity to live out a LIFELONG dream of living in California. It has definitely pushed me to grow by being so far away from my family back in Virginia. It was necessary growth and I’m grateful for the opportunity and to see where it leads me.
What advice would you give an incoming or prospective MIMS student?
This experience is truly what you make of it. While it’s great to have a plan in mind, don’t hesitate to embrace new opportunities that come your way. Utilize the network available to you — whether it’s connecting with faculty, staff, fellow students, or alumni. Trust me, everyone I’ve reached out to has been incredibly open and supportive. If someone happens to be a bit busy and doesn’t respond right away, don’t take it personally — we’re all juggling a lot!
This advice holds true not just for incoming students but also for prospective MIMSies. When I was in your shoes, I found reaching out to be incredibly beneficial in understanding the program and what opportunities would be available. With the wealth of information online, don’t hesitate to explore and leverage all available resources. There are no true losses, just lessons. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think it’s time I heed my own advice. Lol.
