“UoPeople is Helping Me Excel as a Technology Leader,” Says MSIT Student, Hamid J.

Originally from Afghanistan, Hamid J. is now based in the United States and is a proud father of six and grandfather of two. With more than 25 years of professional experience supporting U.S. government agencies, USAID, the United Nations, and leading federal contractors, he has built a career at the intersection of business, technology, and digital transformation.

Today, Hamid is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Technology at University of the People, adding advanced technical knowledge to an already extensive professional background.

Throughout his career, Hamid has worked on financial systems implementations, trained end users, piloted enterprise platforms, and supported large-scale ERP, cloud, and artificial intelligence initiatives across the Washington, D.C., government contracting community. His work has also involved data analytics, automation, cloud ERP solutions, and emerging technologies.

He holds an MBA from the University of Wales in the United Kingdom and has earned more than 48 professional certifications. Yet after more than two decades in the field, Hamid believes that continuing to learn is essential to staying relevant in a rapidly changing technology landscape.

“As an AI trainer, my current role involves large-scale data analytics, migration, and digital transformation projects,” he explains. “That is why I believe the MSIT curriculum is an excellent fit for my professional growth.”

Hamid chose UoPeople because its flexible, accredited, and affordable model allows him to continue working full time while advancing his education. The MSIT program also closely aligns with the areas he wants to develop further, including information technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and enterprise systems.

“I want to strengthen my technical knowledge and stay current with emerging technologies,” he says.

For Hamid, the ability to apply what he learns directly to his professional work is one of the most valuable aspects of the program. He hopes the degree will help him develop practical IT skills while preparing him for future leadership opportunities.

“My favorite thing about studying at UoPeople is the flexibility and accessibility of the program,” he says. “It allows me to continue my professional responsibilities while learning from a diverse global community of students and gaining knowledge in areas that directly support my career goals.”

Like any new academic experience, studying online has also presented challenges. Hamid says adjusting to the online learning environment and navigating administrative processes, including the student portal and enrollment information, has taken some time. However, he appreciates the support resources available to students and believes that continued guidance and communication can make the experience even smoother.

As he progresses through the MSIT program, Hamid hopes to combine his extensive professional experience with advanced IT knowledge. He sees this combination as particularly valuable as organizations increasingly rely on data, automation, cloud technologies, and AI to transform the way they work.

“I believe this program will help me become a stronger technology leader, improve my ability to support organizations through innovation and automation, and continue contributing to complex data, cloud, and enterprise system projects throughout my career,” he says.

For Hamid, pursuing another degree after decades of professional experience is not about starting over. It is about building on what he has already accomplished and staying prepared for what comes next.

As technology continues to evolve, Hamid is embracing lifelong learning as a way to expand his expertise, strengthen his leadership, and continue making an impact in the ever-changing world of information technology.