MS&E Alumni Panel Offers Career Advice to Graduate Students

“How do I brand/market myself?”

“Which courses will strengthen my resume and improve my job prospects?”

“What skills are needed for specific roles, such as project management?”

“I’d like to eventually become an entrepreneur. What are some possible short-term career paths to help me prepare?”

Alumni panelists Michael Pierantozzi, Pawandeep Singh, Tayler Cox, and Annie Kwon share insights

Alumni panelists Michael Pierantozzi, Pawandeep Singh, Tayler Cox, and Annie Kwon share insights

These were just a few of the excellent questions asked by graduate students during the first-ever alumni career panel hosted on March 5 by the new Graduate Student Association (GSA) in the Department of Management Science and Engineering (MS&E). The panel consisted of four MS&E alumni with experience at a variety of Bay Area firms and backgrounds in varying disciplines, ranging from entrepreneurial ventures to product management. The panelists were:

  • Michael Pierantozzi (MS ’96), technology entrepreneur and intellectual property business strategist and transaction expert with over 20 years of entrepreneurial leadership experience in the technology industry
  • Tayler Cox (MS ’10), embedded analyst on the Healthcare team at Palantir Technologies who, prior to joining Palantir, worked for four years in China and helped establish China’s leading angel fund, ZhenFund
  • Annie Kwon (MS ’12), technical program manager at Amazon Lab126, where she manages a complex, technically-challenging project in consumer electronics
  • Pawandeep Singh (MS ’13), product manager at Movoto, an online real estate brokerage firm
Students listen as panelists offer practical advice

Students listen as panelists offer practical advice

Chandni Dhanjal, GSA Corporate Chair, moderated as panelists shared their career journeys, how they successfully navigated their college lives, and what they do in their professions. Some of the most intriguing information came out during the 45-minute informal Q&A that followed.  A few key pieces of advice were:

  • Take specialized courses that will make you more marketable
  • Consider crafting your own concentration, which provides flexibility in how you market yourself
  • Expand beyond MS&E coursework by taking computer science classes and participating in resume-boosting extracurricular activities of interest to you
  • Realize that, in contrast to an MBA, MS&E topics are more practical and project based, which can give MS&E students an edge over MBA candidates

With four amazing MS&E alumni, 32 inquisitive graduate student attendees, and delicious sandwiches, the GSA was encouraged by the event’s success and looks forward to hosting more in the future.

 

Q&A Session Highlights

Q: What’s the best way to market yourself in the job market?

A: Distinguish yourself by taking specialized courses. Create your own concentration that aligns with your career goals. Craft a story and specialized resume that meets the job description. An MS&E degree has an advantage over an MBA, because the MS&E topics are more practical and courses are project based. An MS&E degree also allows students to hone both technical and soft skills.

Q: Is there something you wish you had done during your stay at Stanford?

A: I wish I had taken more computer science courses. Technical knowledge sets you apart in Silicon Valley. Soft skills are extremely valuable as well.

The most valuable aspect of being at Stanford is the people you meet. Take some project-based classes to get to know people. Attend events that interest you and participate in extracurricular activities. Move out of your comfort zone.

Q: For product management, which are more important: business skills or technical skills?

A: Both are pretty important. It can also vary by company and role. On smaller teams, your technical skills are used more. Be a “T-shaped” person: Have a lateral understanding of the business but be a deep expert in your given area. Remember, in some companies, being product manager is like being CEO of part of the business.

Q: What career path do you recommend for those interested in becoming an entrepreneur?

A: Ideally, work for a fast-growing, venture-backed company. Venture capitalists also value a track record of success working with technical products in established companies.

Q: Should I take “fuzzy” MS&E classes or more hardcore engineering classes?

A: Take classes that assign projects. Get the best out of those projects. In addition, you can always audit courses. The “fuzzy” courses will be important to your career and pay off in the long term.

 

Ben Zheng, Lan Xu and Chandni Dhanjal are MS&E graduate students and members of the GSA leadership team

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