Ermal Toto

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) (Located in Worcester, Massachusetts)

“Curious polyglot, computer scientist, educator, husband, father of teens, academic, into business and real estate.”

Age: 43

Hometown: Holden, Massachusetts

Fun fact about yourself: In my (very limited) free time, I like to sail or restore vintage computers, depending on what the weather allows.

Undergraduate School and Degree:  Worcester State University: BS in Computer Science with a minor in Math, WPI: MS, and PHD in Computer Science

Where are you currently working? WPI. I am the Director of Scientific Data, Applications and Web Development in the university’s Department of Information Technology Services.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? What makes me the most proud is being able to help students with their work. Sometimes I “secretly” check for acknowledgments on undergraduate student project reports and graduate student theses in WPI’s open access online home for projects and records: digital.wpi.edu. It makes me very happy to find out that I’ve made a difference in a few of them. My work can often feel very abstract, so knowing that you make an impact means a lot.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? The WPI MBA combines the personal touch of in-person small cohort programs, with the convenience of taking lectures on my own time. Faculty in WPI’s online MBA program are amazingly quick at responding to questions via a variety of platforms (for example: email, Teams, text messages, and calls). Being an IT professional, WPI’s Business School and particularly the online MBA provides a unique perspective for individuals that are looking to manage IT departments and are looking into chief information officer (CIO) and chief technology officer (CTO) positions. WPI’s online MBA program provides a unique blend of business acumen and analytical perspective that is unique and advantageous.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? It was the ability to structure studying and viewing lectures  on my own schedule, while always having faculty support when I need it.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The online experience has allowed me to continue working and have a family life, which would not be possible in a fully in-classroom setting.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program?

You have to be extra structured. Set aside some time, be it nights or weekends, and make sure you are very organized with schedules, files, and lectures. Unlike in-person undergraduate programs, you need to be the one to keep yourself accountable in an online MBA program, and there is considerable work to be done.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? During my MBA studies, I was promoted to Director of Scientific Data, Applications and Web Development. This position is less technical and more about people and processes. I feel my online  MBA education  has positioned me well to have a more holistic view of operations and people in a work and business environment.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? The online MBA program felt like the perfect fit for a few different reasons. I work full time, while also helping my teenage children navigate their lives. An in-person MBA would not be feasible for the realities of my life. Additionally, an executive MBA felt a bit premature considering where I’m at in my career.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Faculty in The Business School at WPI have encouraged me to find uses for AI. With that support, I discovered and utilized three main applications during my online MBA:

1. Creating models that represent different business aspects and are used for brainstorming, or to introduce unpredictability to simulations.

2. Helping generate code for business analytics.

3. Formatting documents using the LaTeX document preparation system.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: on average about 20 hours.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I’ve been working at the intersection of Computer Science and IT for the past 20 years. While I have gained sufficient depth, the online MBA has given me enough breadth to seek more leadership positions in the field. My long-term goal is to move towards a Chief Information Officer position.

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