My Experience Studying Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon

Hi! I’m Sofia, and I am entering my third year studying Information Systems with a concentration in AI Management and a minor in Computer Science. Coming into CMU, I knew I had a passion for applying technology to solve business and societal challenges, but I wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like. Now, after two years, I’ve had so many opportunities to explore different career paths, gain hands-on experience and meet incredible people along the way.

One of the coolest experiences I had as a first-year was visiting top consulting firms like PwC, BCG, McKinsey and Deloitte in downtown Pittsburgh with CMU. These visits helped me learn about different industries and career options, and I ended up building connections at PwC that led to my summer internship in Tech Consulting! The best part? I went with friends, so it wasn’t just a great networking experience but also a super fun day exploring the city.

On campus, I’m a Teaching Assistant (TA) for Designing Human-Centered Software (05-391), where I get to help students while learning from amazing professors like Chris Harrison. Being a TA also opened doors for me — last year, I got to attend the User Interface Software and Technology (UIST) symposium, one of the top conferences in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). I was one of the only undergraduates there, surrounded by PhD students and professors from places like MIT Media Lab. It was inspiring to meet researchers pushing the boundaries of AI and HCI, and it helped me realize that understanding AI will be crucial for my future career.

I’ve also been involved in research since my first-year summer, working with Professor Alessandro Acquisti on a project studying the impact of ad-blockers and anti-tracking software. I helped develop parts of the Chrome extension and email system for the study, which has been in development for six years and is finally launching soon! Through this experience, I not only gained technical skills but also got to talk with PhD students about topics like whether I should consider grad school in the future.

Outside of academics, I’m involved in Delta Delta Delta, Women in IS and Flying Club. These communities have made my CMU experience even more fun and meaningful. Whether it’s organizing philanthropy events like making and selling pancakes with my sorority sisters, grabbing boba with my mentor from Women in IS or flying to Niagara Falls with Flying Club, where CMU students actually pilot the planes — CMU offers so many ways to grow, both academically and personally. I encourage you to explore everything it has to offer. Whether through clubs, research or new friendships, there’s always something here that can shape your journey!