Venus Marcum '98 MBA '10
In honor of the 40th anniversary of McKendree University in Kentucky, the University is proud to recognize outstanding alumni who have graduated from the Radcliff and Louisville, Ky. campuses since 1974.
Name: Venus (Hartman) Marcum '98, MBA '10
Major: BS in Computer Information Systems and MBA with International Concentration
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Current Career Position: Sr. Project Manager
Company: Stored Value Solutions
How did you first become interested in your field of study?
I have enjoyed the challenges of technology since I was a Junior/Senior in High School.
I attended vocational school to study computer programming. The first language I learned
was COBOL, and from that point on, there was no turning back.
What impact has your degree had on your life or career?
The first time I graduated from McKendree with a BS in CIS, doors started to open,
I was offered a position with Kindred Healthcare as an I.T. Application Support/ Desktop
Support Analyst and then moved on to becoming an Application Developer for their EMR
(Electronic Medical Record) system. While working at Kindred, I was paired with a
mentor (Charlotte Shekell), who was going back to school to obtain her MBA. A few
years later I became a Technology Business Consultant at Humana, although I no longer
worked for Kindred Healthcare, I would still talk/meet my mentor on occasion. She
inspired me that it was not too late to go back and get an advanced degree. When I
made the decision, McKendree was the first and only option for me. I had such a great
experience while getting my undergraduate degree; I thought getting my graduate degree
from McKendree would be an even better experience. Obtaining my MBA with international
concentration opened up a whole new world for me. It allowed me to gain an understanding
of business and technology on a global scale. With the support and guidance of Dr.
Glenn Rodriguez and Philippe Deprez, I gained the confidence and belief that I could
accomplish anything with determination and hard work. Obtaining my MBA with International
Concentration forever changed my life; professionally I have made worldwide connections
and personally I have made lifelong friends, while also having a deeper understanding
and appreciation for other cultures. Most importantly, I became a role model for my
husband and two sons. I was able to show that it is never too late to follow your
dreams.
What is the best career advice you have received?
As Steve Jobs once said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and
the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the
only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep
looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know it when you find
it.”
What are your hobbies?
I am married with two children. In my spare time, I enjoy family time, photography
and traveling.