“We’re moving,” was a phrase Ethan Ritchie, a student in the master of information systems program, heard often in his childhood. As he moved eight times to different states and around the world, Ritche gained an appreciation for people of different backgrounds and beliefs. It is with this openness and desire to learn that Ritchie approaches his life and his studies in the BYU Marriott School of Business.
Ritchie’s family moved around frequently for his dad’s career. Although many of his teenage years were spent in Michigan and Utah, Ritchie spent parts of his childhood all across the country and in other nations, from Thailand to Malaysia to Singapore. Experiencing diverse cultures and needing to adapt to new surroundings taught him to value the traditions and beliefs held by others.
“I have grown to appreciate members of Christianity and other religions from all around the world,” Ritchie explains. “They devote themselves to their beliefs, and it is through their examples that I’ve come to know that it’s how you live what you believe that matters most.”
Ritchie chose to live his beliefs by serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris. After two years of teaching about the gospel of Jesus Christ, Ritchie returned home and began studying at Brigham Young University.
He was unsure of what he wanted to study, but his father’s advice helped him to narrow down his options. “My dad has always pushed the importance of tech and coding and how important they are,” Ritchie says.
With the guidance from his father, Ritchie approached the information systems program with a willingness to learn. He quickly discovered that the constant changes in the tech field make information systems (IS) a continual pursuit of learning. “IS is a constantly moving target, and it’s up to you to make sure you’re moving with it,” Ritchie explains. “You can learn what you can from the classes, but you can really take charge of your learning outside of the classroom in the technical realm.”
Not only has the coursework helped Ritchie discover his interests but the IS program also provided him many opportunities to build meaningful relationships with other students and professors. “As I approach my studies, I try to recognize and appreciate the unique things that people bring to the table and try to learn from it the best I can,” Ritchie says. “I’ve been hard-pressed to find someone that I don’t love in the IS program. There’s just a lot of really good people in there.”
Ritchie adds, “I love the IS faculty. I consider them the top of the profession, and they are really down-to-earth people. They get to know their students on a personal basis, and I respect and admire them.”
In his relationships and in his studies, Ritchie tries to keep his faith at the center of his life and follow God’s path for him. “My parents always emphasized being anxiously engaged in what the Lord wants us to do,” Ritchie explains. “As I’ve focused on that, it’s helped me to recognize that everything happens for a reason and that I have a lot to learn from those experiences.”
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Written by Kacee Call
