Blog Post: Ask the Alum: Kristy Westphal

Name:

Job Title/Employer:  Chief Information Security Officer, Arizona Department of Economic Security

Year of Graduation: 1995

Degree/Major: Masters in Business Administration

What is your favorite part of your current job? 

That I get to teach people about stuff they normally wouldn't.  It's fun to see the light bulb go on!

What career path did you follow from your ASU degree to your present job? 

ASU allowed me to learn more about computer information systems (my area of emphasis), which started me down this whole path.  I first learned about the Internet while in school at ASU.

Describe one skill learned at ASU that you use daily in your job. 

How to be a team player.  I did a lot of team projects and it was very helpful to learn how to do that for work projects too.

Were any ASU-affiliated persons helpful to you in advancing your career? 

Not specifically—but many of the people I meet through ASU inspire me to want to do more and be more.

What advice would you give to current students or job-seekers about finding work in your field? 

Stay positive.  It will help you no matter what you end up doing!