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A Master’s Guided Daniel to Pole Star Defense  

New Ƶapp Tech Alumnus is Navigating a Course for Success. 

Daniel Giovannucci portrait with NEIT logo overlay

Daniel’s Master’s Degree in Information Technology from NEIT Set Him on a Course Where the Sky is the Limit at Pole Star Defense, a Satellite-driven Maritime Navigation Company  

New Ƶapp Tech alumnus Daniel Giovannucci is navigating a course for success. 

Having earned his Master of Science in Information Technology degree (IT) in 2018, Daniel landed at Pole Star Defense, a prominent maritime navigation company that develops satellite-driven geospatial software, where he is currently a Product Owner for their U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) program. 

“My team’s focus is on providing software services to support search and rescue operations, navigation, and intelligence gathering for the US Coast Guard.” 

Daniel is responsible for the vision for his product, managing and prioritizing product development tasks, closely collaborating with the development team, and maintaining open lines of communication with all involved stakeholders. 

NEIT’s flexible internship program was an incredibly valuable part of his education. “It allowed me to better balance school and gain experience in my career field.” – Daniel Giovannucci, Information Technology ’18

“The part of my job that I absolutely enjoy is bringing together people with different types of skills and talents to create something that can truly make people’s lives easier and safer.” 

Career Services is an Invaluable Resource, from Resume Writing to Internships   

Daniel credits Shirl Gerlach from NEIT’s Career Services team for being incredibly helpful throughout his career. He enrolled in classes at NEIT following four years of service in the U.S, Army and earned both his associate and bachelor’s degree programs in Video Game Development. 

“Shirl in Career Services helped me write my first resume and cover letter, and she’s been my go-to whenever I’ve thought about changing jobs over the years. NEIT also supported me while I took an internship with IGT in Providence during my bachelor’s degree program, which allowed me to walk straight into the workforce upon my graduation and better positioned me to pursue a master’s degree.” 

NEIT’s flexible internship program was an incredibly valuable part of his education. “It allowed me to better balance school and gain experience in my career field.” 

Hands-on Labs and Professors Set NEIT Apart for Grads in the Workforce 

“Having hands-on experience in the classroom and labs, as well as professors with a lot of industry experience, is what sets NEIT grads apart. In the technology industry, a lot of your work will be hands-on and having early exposure can help immensely.” 

Currently, Daniel is working towards completing his doctoral degree in business administration. “Long-term, I see myself in a Chief Product Officer role and then, down the line, sharing my experiences and knowledge as a college professor.” 

Video Game Design Associate and Bachelor’s Helped Guide his Path  

Daniel’s advice for students is to keep an open mind and be willing to explore different paths. Though he started at NEIT studying to create video games and later worked for WB Games and IGT, his path led him to airline marketing and now to the defense industry. 

“The experiences you gather from the real world can truly shift your perspectives. Don’t stress if your career path seems foggy at times. As you immerse yourself in different roles and conquer various challenges, you’ll find new doors opening and your job satisfaction growing. Embrace the journey and let it surprise you.” 

For more information on job opportunities, NEIT students and grads can contact Career Services.