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.