Richa Pragat

She/Her/Hers
MSSM, 2026

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

At CMU, I will bring a perspective grounded in both corporate collaboration and community advocacy. With professional experience leading cross-functional teams, I’ve learned how to communicate effectively, manage stakeholders, and foster inclusive discussions where every voice is heard. I look forward to contributing these skills to team projects, capstones, and classroom debates, ensuring a culture of shared learning and trust.
Beyond academics, I am passionate about animal welfare. I believe in the power of collective action to uplift marginalized beings, whether animals, students, or underprivileged communities. I hope to inspire my peers to lead with compassion, support community-driven initiatives, and be a force for positive change across geographies.

Why MSSM?

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the program offers direct exposure to top tech companies and innovators. I’m especially inspired by the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty and industry leaders, and to collaborate with peers who share a passion for building innovative solutions to real user problems. The program’s hands-on, project-based approach combined with its strong emphasis on technology, leadership, agile development, and product strategy, perfectly aligns with my goal of becoming a Product Manager who builds meaningful, customer-centric products.

Education

Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunication from SGSITS Indore

Experience

Senior Consultant at Cognizant Technology and Solutions

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

After my graduation, I aim to work as a Technical Product Manager at a software company that creates products with meaningful, real-world impact. I'm especially drawn to applications that carry emotional resonance or simplify daily life, such as social media apps that preserve memories & connect people or e-commerce platforms that streamline product discovery and selection. My passion lies in elevating customer experience and driving satisfaction through thoughtful, sustainable, and innovative solutions. Long term, I aspire to create a technology enabled platform to connect fellow animal activists across India with a mission to improve the lives of stray animals in a sustainable way.