Iona University Alumni Forge Successful Career Paths in Computer Science
Graduates share how their Iona journey helped them navigate the tech industry with confidence.
Now more than ever, the field of computer science is in high demand, especially as the tech industry rapidly evolves with advancements in artificial intelligence.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for computer and information technology occupations is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 377,500 openings projected each year on average over the decade. Moreover, the median annual wage was $104,420 in May 2023.
Iona University offers robust academic Computer Science programs to help equip students for successful careers in the field, including undergraduate, graduate and five-year dual degree options that combine a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Cybersecurity and Game Development concentrations are also available.
Beyond the classroom, many co-curricular activities also enrich the student experience. Among these are the Computer Science Club, Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honors Society and opportunities to pursue cutting-edge, faculty-led research in the areas of AI, natural language processing, authorship attribution, cybersecurity, and virtual and augmented reality.
Iona’s location in the heart of Westchester and proximity to New York City provides students with unparalleled access to internship opportunities and job placements at top companies such as Google, IBM, PepsiCo, Gartner, to name just a few.
We spoke with several recent Computer Science alumni working in the field and asked them to share their insights.
Learn more about the Computer Science Department at Iona University or contact Admissions and apply today!
Alumni Reflections
Anthony Calise ’20, Forbes
"Iona provides excellent classes that equipped me with the skills I use at work every day. The curriculum was comprehensive and up to date, ensuring I was well-prepared for the demands of my field," said Calise, software engineer at Forbes.
"Beyond the technical and collaborative skills, Iona also fostered a strong sense of community and instilled values of dedication and continuous learning, which have been invaluable in my professional and personal growth."
Amanda Aebig ’19, Nordstrom
"At Iona, my favorite classes were those with semester-long projects that allowed us to build and develop our work over time," said Aebig, who serves as a software engineer at Nordstrom.
"From requirement gathering to component design and creating documentation, I gained real-world software development skills. We had a continuous feedback cycle that allowed us to refine our work as we developed it, similar to Agile development methodologies."
Joshua Gitter ’18, ’19MS, Endeavor
"One of the best parts about going to Iona was its connections to get students internships," said Gitter, senior data engineer at Endeavor. "After finishing my freshman year, [my professor] Dr. Bailie approached me about an internship at IBM. I believe that the internship was a catalyst for my career. I was able to gain industry knowledge and get professional experience."
Ileana Palesi ’19, ’21MS, Finacity Corporation
"Iona prepared me for where I am today by giving me the knowledge of different programming languages as well as a strong understanding of the basic data structure concepts needed for coding," said Palesi, a software developer II at Finacity Corporation.
"It allowed me to network within the computer science sphere and build connections that will last a lifetime. If you're interested in pursuing a master’s degree, apply for the 5-year program as it'll take a year less than it normally would."
Learn more about Iona’s Computer Science program today!
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2025 national list of “The Best 390 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.