Human Behavior and Technology: Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator Allison McNally, BA IS&ES and BSBA ’20

Coordinator of Recruitment and Admissions, W.A. Franke Honors College

For me, the Information Science and eSociety program meant I got a foundational look into human behavior with technology, which impacts my work every single day, sometimes in unexpected ways.

 
Allison McNally graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Information Science and eSociety and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Business Management) in 2020. Originally from Tucson—" somewhat uniquely, I am practically a third-generation Tucsonan, with family living in the area since 1963,” she says—Allison has used the skills gained in her dual degrees to help students thrive in the University of Arizona’s W.A. Franke Honors College.

Why did you choose the University of Arizona?

The University of Arizona has access to phenomenal resources and opportunities, many of which I didn’t always consider before starting on campus. When I learned about the strength of programs I had interest in, it easily became a no-brainer. Plus, Tucson has the best of many worlds! City life, robust outdoor access and a small-town feel.

Why did you choose to study Information Science and eSociety?

eSociety piqued my interest as I began to learn more about library and information sciences. The Bachelor’s in Information Science and eSociety gave me the groundwork for pursuit of a Master’s in Library and Information Science while getting to study different issues related to machine learning and artificial intelligence, digital storytelling, database management and more. Pairing eSociety with a business degree gave me a foundation in whatever I ultimately would choose to pursue!
 

eSociety professors introduced me to worlds of study I didn’t know existed, taught me that human interaction with technologies exist in every field and prepared me for a future in any form of human interaction.

What did you find most rewarding about the Information Science and eSociety degree?

Adding Information Science and eSociety was one of the best decisions I made during my time as undergraduate. eSociety professors introduced me to worlds of study I didn’t know existed, taught me that human interaction with technologies exist in every field and prepared me for a future in any form of human interaction.

During my time as a University of Arizona student, I was also deeply involved in the W.A. Franke Honors College and found a lot of community there, too!

Tell us about your Information Science and eSociety Honors thesis.

I completed an Honors thesis in Information Science and eSociety titled “Human Machine Interaction and Its Influence on Consumer Purchasing Decisions” or, as I like to say, “If you watch a movie with malevolent AI in it, like Terminator, do you want to buy an Alexa?” This also satisfied my BA IS&ES capstone project requirement. I had the privilege to work with the department head for Public and Applied Humanities, who taught alongside the team in the College of Information Science (iSchool, at the time!). My project included reading historic AI texts (fiction and nonfiction); watching movies like Her, The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey; collecting survey data; and writing a paper to analyze and synthesize my findings. Basically, I wanted to nerd out a bit as a sci-fi fan, and was empowered to do so by my academic advisor and faculty mentor.

Tell us a bit about your career path leading to your current role in the W.A. Franke Honors College.

As a dual-degree graduate in business and information science, I began my career as an outreach coordinator, where I collaborated on digital marketing projects, developed financial literacy materials and taught in an online classroom. In 2021, I transitioned to the University of Arizona as the coordinator of recruitment and admissions for the W.A. Franke Honors College. In this role, I apply my skills developed during undergraduate studies in information management, virtual communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration. I advise student organizations, evaluate enrollment and scholarship applications, select students who will thrive in the Franke Honors environment and help organize digital and in-person events.
  

The world of information science has many possibilities, and you can find niche interests within the field, or work with cool datasets, or help launch a new game or application—the possibilities really are endless. Follow your interests; you never know what may come!

How did your student experience at the College of Information Science prepare you for your current job?

Information science is such a broad field that anything else you may have interest in likely has an information science application. For me, the Information Science and eSociety program meant I got a foundational look into human behavior with technology, which impacts my work every single day, sometimes in unexpected ways. I find myself referencing bits of my program often.

I’m also currently pursuing a graduate degree in education and continue to consider an MLIS degree, so my time being a College of Information Science student may restart in the near future!

What advice do you have for current or prospective InfoSci students, or those just entering the profession?

Be open to change! The world of information science has many possibilities, and you can find niche interests within the field, or work with cool datasets, or help launch a new game or application—the possibilities really are endless. Follow your interests; you never know what may come!
  

Learn more about the BA in Information Science and eSociety, or explore ways you may support InfoSci students who are shaping the future of information.