Carnegie Mellon University
Integrated Innovation Institute

Engineering + Design + Business

Carnegie Mellon University Integrated Innovation Institute Logo

Xiaowen (Sharon) Yu

She/Her/Hers
MSSM, 2026

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

Outside of school, I’m really into table tennis and badminton—they’re my go-to ways to de-stress and have fun. I also enjoy trying new food spots with friends and having random deep conversations that go way off track (in the best way).

Why MSSM?

What excites me most about the Master of Science in Software Management program is its focus on preparing leaders who hope to drive innovation where software technology, business, and design intersect. This combination is exactly what I need right now. While building my startup, InsightPaths, into a SaaS platform, I realized that although I’m confident in my technical abilities, I need to strengthen my product management and business strategy skills to create a truly impactful and user-focused product in the future.

Education

Computer Science Major at UC Berkeley

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

I hope to take the leap into entrepreneurship after graduation. My goal is to create AI-powered solutions that address the specific needs of a community. For example, in education, I might focus on developing personalized learning tools that make maths more engaging for the student community.