The intersection of technology and business has long fascinated Huron Benson \u201900. Even as a student at Essex County Technical High School, Benson found a way to study both computer science and business. As she puts it, \u201cI was drawn to taking computers apart and building networks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Montclair was a logical choice for Benson. \u201cI was considering out-of-state schools, but I was mindful of my family\u2019s finances,\u201d she explains, adding that she initially planned to study accounting.<\/p>\n
Finances again played a role in Benson\u2019s plans. \u201cAccounting had been extended to a five-year master\u2019s program,\u201d she says. \u201cI decided to switch my concentration to Management Information Systems (MIS), so that I could finish my degree in four years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benson was active in Alpha Kappa Psi, the Organization of Students for African Unity, (OSAU) and student government. It was through these activities that she had learned about the MIS courses available to her within the Business Administration program. The integration of technology and business made sense to her.<\/p>\n
Socializing on the quad, living in Blanton Hall, and meeting friends in the dining hall make up some of Benson\u2019s fondest Montclair memories. \u201cDuring my time at Montclair we elected the first Black homecoming king and queen,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n
She remembers also the visiting alumni who came back to campus to recruit students. \u201cOne of my professors made it a point to encourage us to attend the job fairs,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
In fact, it was a visiting alumnus from IBM who hired Benson for an internship \u2013 an opportunity that led to a full-time job as a consulting analyst for IBM Global Services. \u201cI would be assigned to accounts, providing desktop and server support,\u201d she says. \u201cOne of my assignments was to work with Deutsche Bank during the Democratic National Convention in Boston. I learned that they were creating an IT disaster recovery site 40 miles outside of the city, just in case anything happened during the convention events. This was very interesting to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
From IBM, Benson moved to Warner Brothers where she was a desktop analyst, and then to AXA US (now Equitable) where she was a lead manager of business continuity. The company relied on her expertise in business continuity in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. \u201cWe had a solid strategy and everyone knew what to do,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Working for global powerhouse companies offered many opportunities for career growth, and for international travel. \u201cMy job required visiting AXA\u2019s headquarters in France,\u201d she says. \u201cEach year, I attended meetings and conferences around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2015 Benson rejoined Deutsche Bank, this time as the Americas regional lead for business continuity disaster recovery in charge of business disruption risk control and crisis management. She further developed her knowledge, skills and experience before joining BNY Mellon as vice president for technology disaster recovery governance, where she now serves as senior vice president. \u201cI like this field,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s ever-evolving and has grown considerably since I was a student.\u201d<\/p>\n
Benson is grateful for the opportunities that Montclair, and Montclair alumni, provided to her. \u201cIf it weren\u2019t for Montclair, I\u2019m not quite sure I would be where I am today,\u201d she says. \u201cMy willingness to work, to go to the career fairs and to have my resume at the ready, were important, too. These things, taken together, propelled me to where I am now.\u201d<\/p>\n
And she is eager to return the favor, reaching out to students and to help pave the way for their career success. \u201cSeveral years ago, I was involved with a young professionals initiative designed to build a bridge between the students, their professors, and the professional world,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore recently, I have joined the Black Alumni Advisory Council as co-chair of the fundraising committee,\u201d Benson continues. \u201cWe raised funds during One Day for Montclair, the university\u2019s annual day of giving event.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whenever possible, Benson\u2019s husband and five-year-old daughter join her at Montclair events. In fact, her daughter attended the BAAC cookout this past summer. Might this be the start of a Montclair legacy? It is too early to tell, but according to Benson, \u201cshe had a great time and made new friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
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