Blake DiCosola’s fascination with technology began in the dial-up era. And although he was just a kid, he already had big plans to launch his own web development business.
Since then, DiCosola has done a bit more than that: He’s completed his Ph.D. in Information, Communication, and the Social sciences from the University of Oxford. He’s consulted for global Fortune 500 organizations like Walmart, JPMorgan Chase, Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, and Wells Fargo for more than 15 years. And beginning this term, he’s joining the M.S. in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) at Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS) as the program’s newest Associate Professor of Professional Practice.
We recently spoke with DiCosola about how he envisions his background in social psychology, behavioral economics, and human-computer interaction will pair with the IKNS program’s interdisciplinary curriculum to equip students with the skills to tackle today’s most pressing challenges in the field.
What inspired you to specialize in your field of study?
I became fascinated with technology at a young age. I remember the dial-up years and begging my parents to get me a personal computer and AOL so I could learn how to build websites and start my own web development business. (Okay, I was interested in chat rooms, too.) From there, my interests evolved based on my experiences working with a variety of organizations around the world and completing graduate studies in information science, social science, and management.
I’m currently most interested in understanding how people can use information technology and emerging technology for the better—whether that be to advance the organizations they work for or to inspire social good. More specifically, I’m interested in how we can design and implement information experiences that allow people to make better decisions in a variety of technology-mediated contexts. I’m a bit of a nerd, but I love connecting academia to industry and real-world practice.
What excites you about the M.S. in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) program?
IKNS at Columbia is truly exciting in my opinion because it equips students with the skills needed to tackle the most challenging problems of today and tomorrow through theory-driven, practically applied coursework in data & analytics, people & organizational networks, and strategy & integration—a “trifecta” for the modern, data-driven workforce.
As a practitioner who has been focused on helping large, complex global organizations drive human-centric digital transformations for the bulk of my career, I find the curriculum extremely relevant. Beyond this, the program is uniquely flexible and allows students to choose their individual six elective courses from graduate schools across Columbia to personalize their studies and take advantage of all that Columbia University in the City of New York has to offer.
Which courses are you teaching this semester?
I’m teaching two required courses: Leading Collaboration and the IKNS capstone, the latter of which allows students to apply their collective learnings from IKNS to solve a pressing challenge for a real sponsor organization. I’m also designing a new elective course that centers on how we can apply human-centered design and methods from the social sciences to improve strategy and decision-making in data-driven organizations.
I’m passionate about each of the courses I teach, and students should expect an interactive class format that connects readings to practice, involves reflecting on current events and future directions of knowledge-centric and data-driven organizations, and involves hands-on, applied learning through individual and group course projects that relate to real-world organizational challenges that I’m seeing in the field today through my consulting work.
What else should students expect from your courses?
Students should expect to read and apply those readings to solve practical problems in an effort to advance their ability to impact modern, data-driven workplaces and drive their own personal careers forward. I believe grad school is and should be fundamentally different from undergraduate studies. It requires a different level of dedication and thinking, stemming from reading (and skimming) critically. I believe as Sir Richard Steele did: “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”
I spend a lot of time curating reading lists that combine popular books from the social and behavioral sciences, academic articles from premier journals and conferences across a variety of disciplines, and thought-provoking pieces from practitioner-focused publications. Why? To exercise the mind and inspire others!
What are some of your favorite places to visit on or near the Morningside campus?
As a native Chicagoan, it’s taking me some time to admit to myself (and others) how much I like New York City. That said, New York City steals my heart as autumn approaches. Morningside Lights in late September is a special event that shouldn’t be missed. And as we move into October and November, the public green spaces around Columbia that offer so much color in the fall semester create a happy escape for me.
What is your advice for students pursuing a career in information and knowledge strategy?
There are so many different pathways you can take after studying IKNS. Spend time connecting with faculty, staff, alums, and other students to fully appreciate the diversity of the program and its ability to prepare you for a variety of interesting, in-demand career options post-graduation. From there, get to know the broader Columbia community. Customize your degree and sample courses from a variety of schools across Columbia to create a “knowledge story” that is unique to you and has the ability to inspire, interest, and intrigue others.
About the Program
The Columbia University M.S. in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) program provides students with foundations in information science, organizational psychology, and change management as well as practical skills in project management and executive leadership. The program is available part-time, full-time, on campus, and online.
