Doug Petersen (MSIT ‘17) arrived at Bentley University as a transfer student.

Though he joined his classmates as a junior, he immediately became involved on campus and the Waltham community. He spent his years playing for Bentley Rugby, working for the Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center (BSLCE), and interning in the accounting department of a local business.

When it was time to graduate, Petersen decided to stay at Bentley to complete a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT).

Though his background was in accounting, he wanted to develop a new skillset. The CPA exam he intended to take would already showcase his accounting knowledge to employers. An MSIT provided a different, yet complementary, skillset.

“I chose to gain skills and knowledge in an area that would provide a higher marginal return on my investment in terms of new knowledge, skills, and opportunity,” he explains.

Getting Involved with the BSLCE

As a transfer student, Petersen was one course behind schedule for graduation. Rather than take six classes in one semester, he opted to participate in the BSLCE 4th-credit program.

This program allowed Petersen to earn one extra credit each semester in exchange for volunteering in his community. Each credit was directly linked to one of his classes, enhancing his coursework and allowing him to apply his business skills to solve real problems.

His 4th-credit placement was with the Boys & Girls Club of America, where he quickly realized how much he loved working with the kids. He also found he could bring his experience back to the classroom to add a new dimension to class discussions. ”I was learning a lot about the program and how it related to organizations and psychological and sociological development of the kids,” he says.

After asking a student leader how he could become more involved, he got a job as a Program Manager. He then joined a committee his senior year, where he organized Bentley’s second annual Fair Trade Fair.

Finding a Family in Bentley Rugby

When not in the classroom or with the BSLCE, Petersen spent most of his time on the field or in the gym with Bentley Rugby.

The sport taught him valuable lessons during his undergraduate and graduate years. “Rugby reinforces the importance of discipline and teamwork,” he explains. “Practice is analogous to studying and games to tests.”

And of course, if you want to get 15 players on the same page for a game, you have to be a good communicator – a valuable skill in business!

But more importantly, he says, “Bentley Rugby is where I found a family at Bentley.  We play together and we live together.  We support each other on and off the field and hold each other accountable to our values: hard work, respect, and loyalty.”

Becoming a Double Falcon

With his deepening involvement in the BSLCE and Bentley Rugby, Petersen had an easy choice when deciding where to pursue his MSIT.

He already knew the academic rigor at Bentley was a good fit for him. But the community he found when arriving on campus his junior year was the factor that really solidified his decision.

“I formed strong ties to the community in Waltham and on the Bentley campus,” he explains. He wanted to continue playing for Bentley Rugby, and the BSLCE offered him a job as a Graduate Assistant.

In his new role in the BSLCE, Petersen spent most of his time helping develop the civic engagement profile of the center. Building off the momentum of the Fair Trade Fair he spearheaded, he helped student leaders create sustainable, engaging campaigns and events.

“We want Bentley students to know that they have the power to address social issues and make a difference,” he says.

A Career in IT Audit

The work he’s done with the BSLCE has helped shape Petersen’s career path. He wants to do work that matters, and that will “bring [his] background in civic engagement and business together.”

Upon graduation, he’ll start working full-time with PwC as a Process Assurance/Internal Audit Services Associate in their Risk Assurance practice. The company has a strong focus on social responsibility, making it a clear choice for Petersen.

As an auditor, he’ll examine companies holistically to determine what is critical to the business’s success, where they face risk, and how to best control those risks. He’ll be acting like a detective, as one of his professors explained it.

“It’s a complex process and it feels good to know that you are doing it right,” Petersen says.

Of course, even detectives face challenges. He’ll be expected to keep up with the ever accelerating innovation of IT and coordinate new systems with old components seamlessly.

But Petersen is eager to face these challenges, and values the chance to continue to learn and be productive. His ultimate goal? To channel “that productivity to make the world a better place for me, my family, and my community.”