Carnegie Mellon University
Integrated Innovation Institute

Engineering + Design + Business

Carnegie Mellon University Integrated Innovation Institute Logo

Harshini Sivachitravel

Harshini Sivachitravel

She/Her/Hers
MSSM, 2026

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What unique skills or interests do you bring to the iii?

I bring a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership, and a commitment to community building to the Integrated Innovation Institute. From participating in MUNs to serving as the President of my corporate Toastmasters Club, I have developed strong leadership and communication skills. My experiences as a Full-Stack Developer and a Quality Assurance Analyst in a Big Data Project at Citi has honed my analytical and problem-solving abilities. My involvement in initiatives like the National Service Scheme at college and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities at Citi has instilled compassion and teamwork. These varied experiences have shaped me into a collaborative and adaptable professional, ready to contribute actively to the iii’s interdisciplinary environment while gaining the business acumen I seek.

Why MSSM?

In a rapidly evolving industry such as Information Technology, it is crucial to keep ourselves updated with cutting-edge industry trends. Electives such as Applied AI will not only enhance my proficiency in AI but also make me industry-ready. Moreover, the MSSM program creates a sandbox environment, allowing me to learn and experiment with the skills that I will acquire. The tech treks organised by the career services and clubs such as Product Management Club are a few more compelling factors. Finally, the campus’s location, Silicon Valley, where experiences such as ProductCon are just a hop, skip and a jump away, hence, exponentially increasing the networking opportunities. To conclude, the rigorous curriculum, immersive learning experiences, and the tight-knit cohort are the reasons why I chose the MSSM program.

Education

I completed Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology at SSN College of Engineering at Anna University.

Experience

I'm working as an Application Developer(C10 - 2) at Citicorp in Chennai, India

What type of role are you looking to obtain after you graduate?

Upon completing the MSSM program at CMU, I am looking to obtain a Technical Product Manager or Engineering Project Manager role at a leading tech company. I aim to be at the intersection of technology, business, and user experience, leveraging my technical background and the business acumen gained at CMU. This will allow me to seamlessly translate technical details into business requirements, and rightly balance the business goals and customer needs during the product development process.