Carnegie Mellon University
Integrated Innovation Institute

Engineering + Design + Business

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Jiaxuan (Sally) Li

Jiaxuan (Sally) Li

She/Her/Hers
MSSM, 2027

This is how to say my name:

 

Why MSSM?

I was looking for a program that sits at the intersection of technology, business, and design. Coming from a dual-degree background in Computer Science and Advertising, I've always enjoyed both building products and thinking about the people they are built for. The MSSM program felt like the perfect next step because of its collaborative, hands-on approach and strong focus on innovation. I'm excited to learn from classmates with diverse backgrounds, develop the skills to take ideas from concept to launch, and immerse myself in Silicon Valley's vibrant tech ecosystem.

Education

Dual Degree in Computer Science and Advertising @ Boston University

Experience

Boston University, Lead Teaching Assistant (Web Application Development), 1.5 years

What career achievement are you most proud of?

One of the experiences I'm most proud of was serving as the Director of Project Management at Boston University's AdLab, where I led cross-functional teams of strategists, creatives, and account executives to deliver strategic marketing campaigns for real clients. Beyond coordinating timelines and deliverables, I learned to anticipate risks before they became blockers, develop contingency plans when projects didn't go as expected, and adapt quickly to changing priorities and client feedback. Collaborating across diverse teams taught me how to align different perspectives, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and keep projects moving forward despite uncertainty. That experience strengthened my cross-functional leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, and ultimately inspired me to pursue product management, where I hope to continue bringing together technology, business, and design to build meaningful products.

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

After graduation, I hope to pursue a Technical Product Manager or Associate Product Manager role, ideally through a rotational product management program. With my background in Computer Science and Advertising, I'm passionate about building user-centered products that combine strong technical foundations with thoughtful design and business strategy. I'm especially interested in consumer technology, productivity tools, and creator platforms. Long-term, I hope to grow into a product leader who can bridge engineering, design, and business to build products that make a meaningful impact.