Maria E. De Isasi, AIA

Maria E. De Isasi, AIA Senior Architect/Design Manager, Facilities Engineering and Operations, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC.

How:

"The Rutgers EMBA Program was ideal because I could get the degree in less than two years.  The concentrated structure of spending an entire day in class helped me better manage a business and school schedule.  And my study group was a great support system that helped me stay focused and not get overwhelmed."

Why:

"I started my career at NJ Transit as a traditional architect, but soon was put in charge of managing design consultants, engineers, and construction contractors.  As I geared up to oversee work on a $70 million rail station and bus maintenance facility, I wanted to bolster my business background.  The new construction began at the same time I started the Rutgers EMBA Program.  And every day, over the course of the project, I could see how the MBA experience brought me to a higher level in dealing with vendors, negotiating contracts, understanding the supply chain and materials procurement, and providing me with a sharper business perspective."

Postscript:

After working as Project Architect with the Hillier Group, Maria began a new job with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC as an Architect/Design Manager in their Office of Facilities Engineering and Operations.