Student Spotlight: Understanding the Problem-Solving Process
Mayank Arya (MSSM ‘24) has a background in engineering, but he wanted to build a customer and business focused lens to better solve problems. The Integrated Innovation Institute gave him a stepping stone to do so.
By Hannah Brelsford
After completing his undergraduate degree from UIET Panjab University in 2018, Mayank Arya started his journey in the financial technology (fintech) space. After working for four years (and even heading an engineering department at a growing startup!), he was looking for a change. Wanting to expand his knowledge outside of engineering, Mayank decided to explore the business side of the industry at the Integrated Innovation Institute (iii).
The Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) degree stood out to Mayank for its manageable 16-month time frame, business and product-focused coursework, and the required summer internship, which would allow him to get valuable hands-on experience in the US. Silicon Valley’s reputation as an innovation hub was also a selling point for the program.
“Silicon Valley is where all the engineers, founders and product leaders want to be.”
The Fast Facts: A Summary of Mayank’s Time in the MSSM Program
Learning in the Valley 📕
- Perfect classroom location to learn from industry leaders
- Working with diverse and cross-functional teams enabled learning
- Constantly finding new opportunities to learn and network while stepping out of his comfort zone
Journey pre and post iii ⚙️
What’s Next 🎓
- Working at the intersection of AI and sustainability
- Exploring the world
Learning in the Valley
The MSSM degree finds its ideal setting in Silicon Valley, a bustling hub of innovative technology and entrepreneurial endeavors. Mayank has witnessed firsthand the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence on the local landscape.
“The industry is shifting gears with generative AI. Being in the Valley was the best thing for that because we got to see the impact of what is happening by being at the center of that change.”
Having the opportunity to study in Silicon Valley offers students an inside look at emerging technologies and the professionals behind them. “I could see the impact of AI in product development in real-time.”
The program gave him a deeper understanding of product management through teamwork. The majority of class work involved collaborating with diverse sets of people on different teams, which gave him an idea of what he might be signing up for whenever he decides to pivot his career.
His previous background was completely engineering-focused, with limited outside perspectives.
“The iii brings together people that have different strengths as well as people who have complementary qualities.”
“Working with them [other iii students], you imbibe different perspectives. That experience makes you a better engineer, or product person, or whoever you want to be in the professional world.”
One of Mayank's favorite memories is from when he had to conduct user research for one of his project management courses. Although he was initially uncomfortable with interviewing people for his project, it ultimately made him a better innovator by helping him understand the importance of conducting effective research to create products that truly meet the needs of the users.
Journey pre and post iii
Mayank previously worked as an engineer at Basis, a fintech startup focused on equipping women with tools to be financially independent.
There, he worked as an engineer and eventually as an engineering manager. He was able to see how the problem of finances and security affected women around India. His team implemented solutions to help these women be a step closer to financial independence. Their product, a prepaid card for women, was India’s first of its kind helping women “save, learn, and earn.”
Currently, Mayank is working as an AI Product Manager intern at Elm AI (formerly Esger), an AI solutions-based company focused on sustainability within the supply chain industry.
He is enhancing supplier due diligence by leveraging AI to review companies’ codes of conduct and audit reports, assign risk scores, generate corrective action plans, and extract trends and insights from real supplier data. Many companies currently have to process and compare datasets by hand to make sure they align and are in compliance with policies; Elm AI’s solution makes that process 100 times more efficient.
What’s Next
Beyond the classroom, Mayank loves to be outdoors and travel. In India, he traveled frequently and also had a chance to complete his mountaineering certification. In the next few years, he hopes to make it to Antarctica and climb mountains all over the world, including Mt. Kilimanjaro. Additionally, he is training for a half marathon and eventually aims to complete an entire marathon. He also plans to see Cristiano Ronaldo play before he retires.
Professionally, he hopes to work at the intersection of AI and sustainability, similar to what he is currently doing. While he loves Silicon Valley, he plans to spend some time in New York City and return in the future.