Testimonial: Nitul Shah (MSSM '19)
By Jordyn Pike
Master of Science in Software Management ‘19
Staff Product Manager,
Nitul Shah graduated with a Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) and now works at Walmart as a Staff Product Manager on the inventory-receiving app for Sam’s Club.
Time in the MSSM Program
Nitul Shah enrolled in the Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) program after receiving an undergraduate degree in computer engineering, beginning his career in information security, and starting his own startup. He wanted to go abroad and learn from the best, and he found that the MSSM program was the perfect fit for him, as the curriculum and faculty had experience that was relevant to the direction he wanted to take his career. The program also exposed him to product management, a career path that he decided to pursue after graduating.
MSSM courses served two purposes for Nitul: they either helped him polish engineering skills, or they taught him crucial skills that were new to him. From machine learning to APIs and AI, Nitul found that classes helped him round out his engineering knowledge, brush up on skills he already had, and learn about emerging technologies. Beyond understanding the technology he would eventually manage, MSSM classes taught new skills including design, strategy, and soft skills like communication and leadership.
The MSSM program also gave Nitul a new perspective on how software management could adopt a less narrow, more holistic approach. While his engineering background was an excellent foundation for his career, it did not give him exposure to working with different types of professionals.
“Moving here, working with people from diverse backgrounds coming from different parts of the world, helped me get a new perspective on how to work with a cross-functional team partner, but also people coming from different backgrounds.””
Working as a Staff Product Manager
At , Nitul is a Staff Product Manager and works on the inventory-receiving app for Sam’s Club, which tracks all new inventory. Using AI, the software ensures the product is delivered to facilities in the most efficient and safest way for members to purchase. He leads the team dedicated to improving and overseeing this app.
Nitul leverages his MSSM degree at work by implementing tools and frameworks that he learned to help product managers lead their teams. He specifically mentioned that they were taught to create team charters to support onboarding, teamwork, and culture-building. Additionally, they were taught to use decision-making metrics to help product managers wade through the array of choices they face daily and the nuances those choices entail. Professors of MSSM courses have experience as product managers and share their industry knowledge, which was influential to Nitul, as it gave him a perspective on what works for product managers and what does not.
