When Caroline Crane Emery returned home from her mission, she thought she had her future
planned. As an Exercise Science major, she expected to pursue a career in that field until a
summer career exploration course pointed her in a different direction. After taking an aptitude
assessment, she discovered two of her greatest interests were working with people and working
with computers. Her instructor encouraged her to enroll in IS 201 with Dr. Gaskin, a decision
that would ultimately change the course of her education and career.
"The rest is history," Crane said. "I fell in love with that class."
What drew Caroline to Information Systems wasn't simply the technology. She loved the
process of solving problems. Throughout her courses, students were presented with real
challenges and asked to find creative solutions, an approach that immediately resonated with
her.
"I realized that I love problem solving," she said. "We were given a problem and we had to solve
it. For me, to be able to think creatively and get to a solution—I loved that."
Today, Crane is an incoming third-year PhD candidate at Arizona State University, but she says
her path there began by discovering a program that challenged her in ways she hadn't
expected.
Although she quickly found something she loved, succeeding in the program required
persistence. Crane entered the junior core with no coding background and remembers
struggling through IS 303. At one point, she even questioned whether she would earn a high
enough grade to be accepted into the program. During a conversation with Professor Anderson,
she shared her concerns and admitted she wasn't sure she could make it through the course.
"He just said, 'You need to have faith in yourself and have faith that it's all going to work out,'"
Crane recalled.
As she continued through the program, those difficult moments gradually became moments of
growth. She remembers taking Python, learning about machine learning in Dr. Keith's class, and
later realizing she could successfully learn C# in Professor Hilton's course. Looking back, Crane
says those experiences helped her realize she was capable of much more than she had
originally believed.
"I can do this," she remembered thinking. "I don't have a coding background, but I was taking
the Python course and something clicked."
Beyond technical skills, the junior core taught Crane how to work with others. Collaborating on
projects pushed her to become more flexible, appreciate different perspectives, and solve
problems as part of a team. Just as importantly, those experiences developed friendships that
have lasted well beyond graduation.
Many of the people she met in the program remain among her closest friends today. She
attended weddings for classmates, one of her former teammates was a bridesmaid at her own
wedding, and she still talks with many members of her cohort every day. They keep in touch
through group chats, and she even plays tennis every week with one of her classmates.
"Those friendships and the opportunity to really grow in a collaborative environment is
something that I wouldn't trade for anything," she said.
Outside the classroom, Crane immersed herself in the opportunities the department offered.
She participated in AIS, enjoyed case competitions, studied abroad, and, during the junior core,
felt prompted to apply for a research assistant position with Dr. Tom Meservy. Even though she
was already balancing two jobs while completing the demanding core, she rearranged her
schedule because she felt it was something she was supposed to do.
The experience introduced Crane to academic research and eventually led her toward a career
she had never considered. After spending more than two years as a research assistant, taking
Dr. Gaskin's doctoral seminar, and later teaching three Information Systems courses, she
realized she wanted to pursue a PhD and eventually become a professor.
"I loved helping students learn," she said. "Those experiences really sealed the deal for me."
As she reflects on her time at BYU, Crane says one of the greatest strengths of the Information
Systems program was its faculty. While every professor impacted her in different ways, she
says they consistently invested in students beyond the classroom, offering encouragement,
mentorship, and confidence during challenging moments.
"They believed in me before I fully believed in myself," she said. "They always made time for the
individual student."
She credits mentors like Dr. Meservy for helping her discover research and encouraging her to
pursue graduate school. Years after graduation, she still reaches out to him for advice and
guidance, something she says reflects the lasting relationships the faculty build with their
students. Their example has also influenced the kind of professor she hopes to become.
Crane believes the program prepares students for much more than a specific career. Whether
graduates pursue consulting, software development, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, or
academia, she says they leave with the ability to work hard, solve problems, collaborate
effectively, and continue learning throughout their careers.
"I think the students who come out of the IS program know how to work hard and know how to
be finishers," she said. "No matter what you want to do, you can be prepared if you're willing to
put in the work."
Looking back, Crane encourages students to make the most of every opportunity the program
offers. She recommends getting involved beyond the classroom, seeking mentorship from
professors, and building relationships with classmates. While she describes the program as one
of the hardest experiences of her education, she also believes it gave her confidence that
extends far beyond graduation.
"I didn't feel like I was living up to my potential," Crane said of her time before entering the
program. "The IS program really helped me find my confidence."
Now, as she prepares for a career in academia, Crane still speaks enthusiastically about the
program that helped shape her future. She laughs that she's always talking about BYU
Information Systems with friends and family because of the impact it had on her life.
"The Information Systems program changed my life," she said. "It gave me confidence, lifelong
friendships, incredible mentors, and the belief that I can accomplish hard things. That's
something I'll always be grateful for."