Where are they now? Featuring: Michael Spence

Where are they now?

Michael H. Spence

MS in Computer and Information Sciences, concentration in Software Engineering Year of Graduation: 2001

Why did you choose ETSU for your education?

I was working full-time while attending graduate school at ETSU. ETSU offered a master’s in computer science, and they scheduled classes when full-time employees could attend.

What is your current position and/or research?

I began a position as the senior solutions architect at Amazon Web Services in 2021. Prior to this position, I was the enterprise infrastructure architect at Eastman Chemical (1985 - 2021). What does this position/research entail?

I currently support Amazon Web Services customers within the public sector (government/education/non-profit). My specific role is to help these customers with their migrations into the Amazon Web Services cloud.

How did your time at ETSU prepare you for this career?

ETSU provided me with the foundational skills that I have carried forward for many years. While technologies have certainly changed over the last 20 years, the education I received at ETSU prepared me to build upon my skills and adapt to change.

What advice would you offer current or future graduate students?

Enjoy your time in the ETSU graduate program. You will get out of it exactly what you put into it. I have never once regretted the time I spent pursuing my MS at ETSU. I made friends with fellow students and faculty that I still keep in touch with 20 years later.