Balancing a Project Management Career with WVU’s Software Engineering, M.S.S.E.

Wasiim Hosenbocus was already managing software engineers, but he recognized a gap.

In sprint reviews and planning sessions, he could track progress and keep teams aligned. When conversations turned technical, he did not always have the background to challenge assumptions or guide decisions with confidence.

That realization led him to the online Software Engineering, M.S.S.E. program offered by the West Virginia University’s Benjamin J. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. His goal was not to change careers, but rather to become more effective in the role he already held.

Turning Coursework into Real Experience

As a project manager, Wasiim was already responsible for visibility. He needed to understand how work was progressing and where risks might emerge. The M.S.S.E. program sharpened how he approached those decisions.

“You want to get an idea of how things are progressing,” he said. “Not just what you’re doing day in and day out, but how the team performed in previous sprints, how things are now, and how we project that forward.”

One course, Engineering Economics, stood out for how closely it reflected real-world decision-making. Instead of working from complete information, students were given incomplete scenarios and had to request additional details before moving forward.

“It was a scenario-based assignment,” he said. “You were given a brief situation, but it was up to you to email the professor and get more information.”

That approach translated directly to his work.

“As an engineering manager, I need to know how much we’re spending and how much revenue we’re going to bring in,” he said. “You also learn how to ask the right questions. Stakeholders don’t always give you everything. You have to know how to probe.”

For Wasiim, that shift towards explicitly defining the problem before solving it has been one of the most practical outcomes of the program.

Built for a Full-Time Schedule

Flexibility was essential when comparing programs. Wasiim needed an option that could fit his full-time job without slowing his career momentum.

WVU stood out not only for its online format and cost, but also for how responsive the program felt from the start. After reaching out for more information, he thought, “If that’s how responsive they are now, once I enroll, I’ll get timely feedback.”

Wasiim developed a routine early. He started coursework as soon as classes started each semester and pushed to stay ahead by revisiting his schedule every week to refine his workflow.

“I’m the type of person who likes to do things way ahead of time,” he said.

That consistency helped him manage both work and school without falling behind. The workload felt integrated rather than overwhelming.

Growth Beyond Technical Skills

While the program strengthened his technical understanding, one of the most noticeable changes impacted how he communicates. Originally from Mauritius and now based in Canada, Wasiim said the program pushed him to be more direct and confident in professional settings.

“It has helped me a lot with soft skills,” he said. “Not just delivering presentations but being able to communicate and be more vocal.”

That growth has had a direct impact on his day-to-day work, especially when explaining decisions, aligning teams, and working with stakeholders.

“There’s been a massive improvement in how I communicate,” he said.

When the Timing is Right

Wasiim does not recommend rushing into a graduate program.

“If someone is early in their career, maybe one to five years of experience, they should definitely go for it,” he said. “But don’t start right after your undergraduate degree.”

At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of timing.

“Start at the right point in your career where you can connect what you’re learning with what you’re already doing.”

A Degree that Works Alongside Your Career

For Wasiim, the program’s coursework added structure to decisions he was already making in his day job, which deepened his technical understanding and improved how he communicates with the teams he leads.

For project managers or other industry professionals looking to advance, that is the value. You are not stepping away from your career, rather you are strengthening how you operate within it.

Want to learn more? Explore the online Software Engineering, M.S.S.E. program page or connect with Program Director, Dale Dzielski, to learn more about the curriculum, student experience, and other benefits this program offers.