Splane_m@cob.sjsu.edu
When I was a student I was always curious
about my professors, so I’ve prepared this short biography for my own students
to read.
Becoming a professor was not easy for me. I
was a bad student as a teenager; I dropped out of high school and flunked out
of college. I worked at a lot of different jobs, I even tried to earn a living
playing poker, until I finally found something I was good at – hotel
accounting.
I started out as a desk clerk doing night
auditor jobs. Eventually I was lucky enough to get promoted into working in the
accounting department. I worked for a good boss who moved me around so I
learned all of the accounting jobs. When he left I was chosen to replace him. I
worked as a controller for many years, but never really liked the job. Without
an education, my career prospects were limited, so I decided to go back to
school.
Being an older student helped me. I was
disciplined and worked hard to get good grades.
After changing my major several times, I finally earned my Bachelors
degree. It took 8 years. The MIS department chair liked me and after I
graduated he asked me to come back and teach while earning an MBA. Since
graduating from the MBA program I’ve done some freelance consulting, but my
main interest is in teaching. I’m also serving as the faculty advisor to the
MBA Association, a student organization.
Have I always wanted to teach? No. I
developed a liking for teaching as an adult. I did a lot of tutoring as an
undergraduate and it was always fun. I used to walk past the business tower and
imagine having an office here and being an instructor. I was excited and
thrilled when I finally got my chance. Teaching here is the best job I’ve ever
had.
As a teenager I developed a love for chess
and wanted to become a chess master. Eventually I achieved my goal. In 2005 the
US Chess Federation recognized my accomplishments by awarding me the title of
“Life Master”, a title held by fewer than 500 Americans. Last year I won the
I have several other interests. I enjoy
working on crossword puzzles and like to tackle the New York Times Sunday
puzzle, although I can seldom complete it. I like to read about science and
history and once applied for a tryout on the TV game-show “Jeopardy.” I like
college basketball and attended both the NCAA Final Four Men’s Championship in
1995 and the Women’s Championship in 1999.
I took 91L “Business Productivity Tools” as
an undergraduate. I’ve tried to improve the course based on my own experiences
as a student and based on the feedback I’ve received from my own students. My
goals are to make the course easy, fun, and useful. I also wrote the textbook
for the course.
I hope you enjoy this class. I’m looking
forward to working with you and getting to know you.
Mike Splane