July 23, 2026
Wondering what profession paths are doable with a level in IT? Meet Kaan Esendemir ’18, whose go to to a Montclair profession truthful led to a task at a Fortune 50 firm
Posted in: Alumni, Business, Science and Technology
Quick Summary:
- Information Technology graduate turned a Montclair profession truthful connection into a virtually decade-long profession at UPS
- At UPS, he leads enterprise expertise, AI governance and software program structure initiatives whereas serving to drive innovation throughout the worldwide logistics firm.
- He credit Montclair’s college, profession gala’s and hands-on studying for serving to launch his profession and encourages college students to construct in-demand expertise earlier than commencement.
Meet the alum
Name: Kaan Esendemir ’18
Majored in / Degree in: BS in Information Technology
Current position: Application Architect at UPS
Career highlights
When Kaan Esendemir ’18 attended a UPS hiring occasion whereas at Montclair State University, he was searching for an internship alternative. Nearly a decade later, that chance has grown right into a profession with UPS, a Fortune 50 international transport and logistics firm the place he now serves as an Application Architect serving to form enterprise expertise options and AI adoption. Along the way in which, he has additionally develop into an adjunct teacher, sharing his business expertise with the following era of expertise professionals.
Building a basis at Montclair
For Esendemir, selecting Montclair got here right down to discovering a college that supplied each affordability and alternative. Staying near house allowed him to commute whereas pursuing a level in Information Technology, however it was the University’s supportive group that left the best impression.
He credit Montclair’s college with creating an setting the place college students felt comfy asking questions, exploring new concepts and pursuing alternatives past the classroom.
“Everyone felt approachable and ready to answer questions,” Esendemir says.
That supportive setting inspired Esendemir to make the most of alternatives like Montclair’s profession gala’s. During a kind of occasions, he attended with a transparent objective in thoughts.
“For this career fair, UPS was my target,” he says. “My expectations were that I could get in front of and talk to a hiring manager directly.”
That dialog led to a co-op alternative earlier than commencement and marked the start of a profession that has now spanned practically a decade.
From co-op to Application Architect
What started as a co-op alternative quickly grew right into a long-term profession at UPS. Over the previous a number of years, Esendemir has taken on a wide range of software program engineering roles, gaining expertise throughout a number of areas of the enterprise earlier than advancing to his present place as an Application Architect.
His position right this moment was undoubtedly supported by what he discovered in his lessons. Through coursework in programming, 3D design and cybersecurity, Esendemir developed a broad technical basis whereas discovering the areas of expertise that him most.
He additionally factors to professors, together with Katherine Herbert from the School of Computing, as influential mentors throughout his time at Montclair.
Today, his work spans resolution structure, AI governance, code critiques and collaborating with groups throughout the group to develop expertise options that assist one of many world’s largest logistics firms. While expertise has advanced all through his profession, one space that has develop into more and more necessary is synthetic intelligence.
Rather than viewing AI as a alternative for individuals, Esendemir sees it as a device that helps simplify repetitive work so staff can spend extra time fixing advanced issues and driving innovation.
Sharing business expertise
In addition to his work at UPS, Esendemir additionally shares his business expertise as an adjunct teacher at a number of universities. Drawing on practically a decade of expertise in software program engineering and enterprise expertise, he helps college students join classroom ideas with real-world purposes whereas making ready them for careers within the discipline.
Teaching has develop into a rewarding manner for Esendemir to provide again to the following era of expertise professionals, permitting him to mentor college students as they start constructing careers of their very own.
Advice for college students all in favour of IT careers
Looking again on his personal journey, Esendemir encourages present Information Technology college students to start out making ready for his or her careers lengthy earlier than commencement. Building technical data is necessary, however he believes understanding what employers are searching for can provide college students a useful benefit.
“Don’t wait until graduation to learn certain skillsets,” Esendemir says. “Research the job market, look at job boards, and see what skills are in demand and learn a few.”
From attending a Montclair profession truthful to constructing a profession at UPS, Esendemir’s journey demonstrates how profiting from alternatives and frequently growing new expertise can result in long-term success.
Our “Alumni Voices” collection spotlights Montclair alumni making their mark throughout industries, sharing how their time on the University helped construct the abilities, confidence and connections that formed their skilled journeys.
Interested in studying extra?
Prospective Student / Parent: Learn extra about our Information Technology program, plan a visit to campus and take step one in applying to become a Red Hawk!