Matthew Guth ’00 had always been fascinated by technology. As a teenager, the Racine, Wisconsin native could often be found tinkering on his 8-bit home computer (a Commodore 64). Today he is the vice president of development at MSI Data, a growing Milwaukee business that develops workforce automation software.

“Probably what I like most about MSI Data is the variety,” Guth said. “Our customers are in so many unique industries that there is always something new to be working on.”

Guth, who earned his degree in computer engineering—at the time there was not a software engineering program at MSOE—began his 20-year career at MSI Data as a software development intern.

“MSOE always emphasized internships and I did a few,” Guth said. “It’s a great way to get exposed to different companies and figure out what you like to do. Now as an employer I like internships because students become embedded in the culture of the company and when they graduate, they stay here—greatly reducing overall recruitment costs.”

Guth’s internship with MSI Data turned into a full-time position that has since evolved and expanded, and so has the business.

“We’ve grown from 10 to more than 60 employees,” Guth said. “I’ve had an exciting vantage point, being able to experience the growth firsthand and helping to build MSI Data’s flagship software, Service Pro.”

As the vice president of development, Guth said he is involved with the business as much as the technical aspect of software now. His typical day involves project and design meetings, emails and employee mentoring. “It’s a team atmosphere here,” Guth said. “That’s how we achieve great things.”

The sky is the limit for MSI Data—and Guth.“I really enjoy what I am doing, and I look forward to seeing what is next for MSI,” Guth said. “We’ve grown from a small- to medium-sized business; in the next two to three years we could be even larger. Who knows?”

Guth also has some advice for MSOE students as they apply for jobs and internships: “The interview process is just a part of life,” he said. “Don’t be too nervous about it. It’s important, and you want to do well, but there are always other opportunities.”

MSOE graduates have an advantage, Guth said, because employers are looking for problem solvers.

“Because of MSOE’s curriculum, it’s something students learn naturally,” Guth said. “I always tell my teams: ‘Try to give customers what they want, which is sometimes different than what they are asking for.’ That’s the job of the problem-solver.”