On this page, you’ll find stories from recent alumni, learn how their goals evolved during their time at CMU-SV, and get practical steps to start shaping your own path.
At CMU-Silicon Valley, no two students follow the exact same career path. But patterns do emerge. Many of our students arrive with technical skills and broad ambitions, and by the time they graduate, they’ve sharpened their focus and stepped into roles that fit their interests, values, and strengths.
From software engineering to security, product management to AI startup creation, our alumni take what they learn here and turn it into high-impact careers. Their journeys often include hands-on projects, industry mentorship, and deep exploration of emerging tech.
Use the stories below to see what those journeys actually look like, and to start shaping your own. As alumna Stella Peng puts it:
You don’t need to have everything figured out—exploration is part of the journey, and it’s okay to evolve along the way.
Stella Peng, CMU-SV Alumna & Software Engineer at Google
That mindset reflects the experience of many CMU-SV students, who often arrive with a plan and discover new interests, strengths, or opportunities that reshape it.
We’ve asked three CMU-SV alumni to share how they discovered their career interests and forged their own paths during their master’s program. As you read their stories, consider your own and see where you can evolve and grow.
Get inspired
Alumni spotlight
These three alumni each took different approaches to shaping their path. One founded a company, another transitioned from security research to engineering, and another discovered her voice through technical storytelling. Their experiences reflect the range of opportunities and decisions that can shape your time here.
Stella Peng
Graduated with a MS in Software Engineering and is currently working as a software engineer at Google.
Michael Vandi
Graduated with a MS in Software Engineering and is the founder & CEO of Addy AI.
Shreya Mishra
Graduated with a MS in Information Technology-Information Security and is currently working as a security engineer at Coinbase.
Take action
These alumni stories reflect the journeys of many CMU-SV students, full of exploration, growth, and unexpected opportunities. It’s easy to feel energized after reading others’ stories. This is the perfect time to channel that energy into your own next step. Whether you're exploring or narrowing in on a role, these small actions help turn reflection into progress. Here are three ways to start shaping your own path:
1. Check out the Salaries & Destinations dashboard to see what roles CMU-SV grads have landed. Take note of what sparks your interest.
2. Set up a coffee chat with an alum who works in that role. Use CMUniverse to reach out to them. Prepare questions to ask about their path and how they got there.
3. Found a role that sounds exciting? Jot it down and bring it to your next conversation with a career consultant or peer career consultant.
The next step doesn’t have to be big—it just has to move you forward.
Keep up the momentum
You’ve read alumni stories, reflected on your own goals, and have started to see what roles are out there. Now it’s time to take the next step.
Use these pages to continue your journey: