Student Bio

Sarita Nori BS , Electrical Engineering , University of Mumbai, '96 MS , Software Management , Carnegie Mellon University, '07 Oracle , Senior Manager, Application Technology Group

"I chose Carnegie Mellon West for its stellar reputation and because of its flexibility. Students can participate remotely in reading discussions and meetings with coaches and faculty members, who are accessible far beyond normal hours."

My decision to go back to school was based on my desire to accelerate the learning that one typically experiences at work. I believed it would open up new horizons for career opportunities, expand my professional and personal network, and provide me with new perspectives.

I chose Carnegie Mellon West for its stellar reputation for Software Engineering and Management programs and because of its flexibility. Students can participate remotely in reading discussions and meetings with coaches and faculty members, who are accessible far beyond normal hours. This is especially helpful when one has late meetings at work and cannot make it in person to campus. The program has enabled me to balance a hectic work schedule and my personal life along with the demands of school.

The high quality faculty is another important strength of the program. Faculty members are experienced industry and academic veterans who serve as excellent resources. They provide an enriching learning experience with their inspiration, excellent insights, vast experience, and guiding clarity of thought.

Student Bio

Daniel Dresser BS , Computer Science , Cal Poly, '01 MS , Software Engineering , Carnegie Mellon University, '05 Adobe Systems , Computer Scientist, Acrobat Quality Engineer

"I chose Carnegie Mellon because it is the world’s leader in software engineering. I wanted to learn from the best in the business and focus, specifically, on software engineering."

I went back to school because I wanted to learn how to build software the right way. I had been in companies where processes were followed without any thought to the business’s bottom line. I also wanted to further my career and be a leader in the fast-paced software technology sector.

I chose Carnegie Mellon because it is the world’s leader in software engineering. I wanted to learn from the best in the business and focus, specifically, on software engineering. The learn-by-doing method and story-centered curriculum were also compelling reasons for my interest in the program, and they were definitely relevant to the real world. I took what I learned from school and used it right away at my work. My goal was to learn software engineering, and Carnegie Mellon West delivered – and, in the process I have a patent pending.

Student Bio

Steve Lam BA , Cognitive Science , UC Berkeley, '99 MS , Software Management , Carnegie Mellon University, '05 YouSendIT, Inc. , QA Manager

"Students have a great support system here, with faculty members who are accessible and want you to do well and mentors and teammates who provide ongoing guidance each step of the way."

I chose Carnegie Mellon West because of its world-class faculty teaching cutting-edge techniques in software engineering and because of its project-based curriculum. I knew it was going to be a challenge the day that I started, but I never expected the program to be as rewarding or as fun.

Students have a great support system here, with faculty members who are accessible and want you to do well and mentors and teammates who provide ongoing guidance each step of the way. The project-based curriculum requires role-playing in a simulated or real company, and this adds an extra dimension to learning that you don’t get in traditional university lectures and exams.

As a result, the program has helped me become a good technical manager. It has given me both the tools and the ability to create new techniques and processes that contribute to the success of my software development organization. Even before graduating, I had taken on new positions and responsibilities as a manager, and the increase in salary was great! But, the most rewarding change was that I knew I could do my job well and could lead a team and manage a product with confidence.

Student Bio

Jessica C. Birchall BS , Computer Science , San Jose State, '01 MS , Software Engineering Technical Track , Carnegie Mellon University, '06 Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company , Software Engineer

"The most unique aspect of the program is the learn-by-doing, real-world approach. It allows students to experience software engineering by “doing” it."

When I decided that I wanted to focus my career on engineering leadership, I began looking for a master’s degree program that aligned with such a career path. I discovered that Carnegie Mellon West’s technical track best suited my goals.

The most unique aspect of the program is the learn-by-doing, real-world approach. It allows students to experience software engineering by “doing” it. Students learn new technologies, best practices, and team-building skills by actually tackling those challenges and, as a result, I have experienced the full lifecycle of software engineering including lead responsibilities, stakeholder management, and process development. Such lessons cannot be properly taught in a formal classroom setting.

The flexibility of the program is an important feature, too. We’re all busy, and being able to participate in class and faculty meetings remotely helps those of us who travel for work, live outside the area, or who simply have to manage our time more closely.

Professionally, I am now better equipped to succeed at work. I’ve taken on challenges that I probably would not have had I not been enrolled in the program, and I’ve been able to directly apply many of the best practices that I’ve learned.

Student Bio

Usha Kuntamukkala BS , Electronics and Communication , Osmania University, '96 MS , Software Management , Carnegie Mellon University, '05 BEA Systems , Product Manager

"Carnegie Mellon West’s software management program has greatly helped transform my career and boosted my personal confidence. Today, I'm a product manager at a leading enterprise software company in the Bay Area."

After seven years in the software industry, I was motivated to return to school to understand the business context in which software is developed and delivered to customers. Being a technical lead, I had the technical skills but not the business skills and knowledge to explore opportunities that would allow me to contribute to the organization at a strategic level.

Carnegie Mellon West’s software management program has greatly helped transform my career and boosted my personal confidence. Today, I'm a product manager at a leading enterprise software company in the Bay Area. Thanks to the hands-on program curriculum, I was able to transition from a technical lead role into a more outward facing business role. I find myself well-prepared to execute on the job with the required skills and knowledge. I feel that this program was the best investment I’ve made – one that has helped me reap multiple dividends in a very short period of time.

Student Bio

Le Lu BS , Computer Science and Engineering , UC Davis, '95 MS , Software Management , Carnegie Mellon University, '07 One Workplace , IT Manager

"Working in teams at the graduate level requires dedication and hard work. And when the team has completed its task, it has created something that is far more effective than what you could have accomplished on your own."

Working in teams at the graduate level requires dedication and hard work. You have to stay on top of what’s going on because your teammates are counting on you to contribute. And when the team has completed its task, it has created something that is far more effective than what you could have accomplished on your own.

Successfully working with others on a team is one of the best experiences in the Carnegie Mellon program. Many of my teammates have extensive industry experience, and we all learn from each other. Sharing ideas and bonding with my teammates is very rewarding. As a result, at work, I’m more open-minded to other people’s ideas and suggestions, I’m able to recognize when a team is having problems, and I can suggest solutions to help our team be successful.

Personally, team work has taught me a lot about myself. Most valuable is the honest feedback from colleagues on how well or not so well I performed on certain tasks. It can be brutally honest, but it’s a great way to learn.

Student Bio

Jesse Wolfe BA , Fine Arts , Washington State University, '98 MS , Software Engineering Development Management Track , Carnegie Mellon University, '07 Yahoo! Inc. , Design Engineer

"My expectations of the program were to learn specific tools on how to become an effective leader as defined by Carnegie Mellon standards, and the fact is that Carnegie Mellon West delivers on its promise."

Over the past nine years, I’ve worked at Cisco, Oracle, and Yahoo! and decided that I needed to get a more formal education in software engineering and management. As I was doing research on graduate school options, I came across Carnegie Mellon West and saw immediately that it sets itself apart from traditional learning methods through its “learn-by-doing” approach to education.

My expectations of the program were to learn specific tools on how to become an effective leader as defined by Carnegie Mellon standards, and the fact is that Carnegie Mellon West delivers on its promise. In addition to learning proven methodologies in software engineering, the bonus for each student is that we’re taught management tools and methodologies that might have come straight out of business school.

I now have much more confidence in myself, and I believe it comes across in my work. In fact, I am currently up for a promotion, and I’ve submitted a development patent that is being pursued by my company. I know I have Carnegie Mellon to thank for both of these achievements.

Student Bio

Chandrashekhar Yeleshwarapu B. Engg. , Industrial Engineering , Carnegie Mellon University, '96 MS , Software Management , Carnegie Mellon University, '08 Oracle , Director, Product Strategy

"Carnegie Mellon is one of the pioneers in the area of software engineering, one of the nation’s top-tier universities, and its MS in Software Management program suited my personal and professional aspirations."

After almost ten years out of school, I decided I wanted to further my education by earning a master’s degree. Carnegie Mellon is one of the pioneers in the area of software engineering, one of the nation’s top-tier universities, and its MS in Software Management program suited my personal and professional aspirations. The software management curriculum has had an immediate impact on my current position at Oracle where I focus on product management and product strategy. Not only have my technical skills improved, but my communications skills – including negotiating, writing, and presentation skills – have also improved. In addition, the faculty at CMU West have mentored me in a way that has improved the quality of my life and work as I’ve taken guidance from them at various times over the past year.

Finally, I’ve also changed personally since joining the program – I’ve found that my daily planning skills have improved tremendously, helping me to balance work, family, and school demands. Additionally, through the project-based curriculum, students become self-learners, and this has renewed my passion for reading and researching on various topics related and unrelated to work and school.

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