Shriya Sharma

Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business

“Creative coder constantly chasing challenges, crafting chronicles, and craving classic comedies.”

Hometown: Columbia, Maryland

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have two dogs – a Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Maryland, College Park – Computer Science

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: T. Rowe Price – Software Engineer

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Carnegie Mellon’s MBA curriculum and programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose the MBA program at the Tepper school for its strong emphasis on data analytics and data-driven decision-making, alongside its commitment to cultivating future leaders (The Intelligent Future) who excel at bridging the gap between business and technology. Additionally, the program’s Technology Strategy and Product Management track aligns seamlessly with my career goals, making the Tepper School a standout choice as I ruminated over which business school to attend. Moreover, given the stellar reputation Carnegie Mellon University has in the tech world, as well as my own personal passion for entertainment technology, it was clear to me that the Tepper school was the place to be!

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Carnegie Mellon? This is a tough one because there’s so much I’m excited about! I’m particularly looking forward to joining the Business and Technology Club and participating in the industry treks they facilitate during the school year. I’m also eager to join the Outdoor Adventure Club. While I wouldn’t consider myself to be a very “outdoorsy” person, I’m excited to step outside my comfort zone and connect with nature through fun activities alongside my peers!

The Tepper MBA is known for intensive one-on-one coaching and personal development. What area do you hope to strengthen during your two years in business school and why? I’d like to improve my verbal communication skills. I’m always impressed by those who consistently speak with eloquence, rhythm, and the perfect tone – not only are they engaging to listen to, but they’re also incredibly persuasive! While I’m not quite there yet, I plan to leverage the one-on-one coaching at the Tepper school to enhance my verbal communication skills. I believe this will help me become a more effective leader in my career.

The Tepper MBA is also known for being highly data-driven Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How have you been able to leverage this approach in your career so far? In my career as a software engineer, I’ve consistently leveraged data to guide my work, from optimizing algorithms to identifying user trends to improving product performance. Having an analytical mindset enabled me to effectively tackle complex problems as an engineer. I’m confident that the Tepper school’s emphasis on quantitative skills will further sharpen my ability to make informed decisions in a business context, enabling me to effectively bridge the gap between technology and business.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Tepper was the right program for you? Why? Attending Welcome Weekend at the Tepper school earlier this year was the moment that truly sealed the deal for me. The programming was both informative and engaging, but what really stood out was the opportunity to connect with incoming and current students. The conversations I had really gave me a genuine sense of the close-knit Tepper community. And, of course, the dinner reception at Acrisure Stadium, complete with a tour of the Steelers’ locker room and football field, was the cherry on top! The entire weekend really solidified that the Tepper school was the perfect fit for me.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I would say one of the biggest accomplishments in my career has been evolving from a strictly backend developer fresh out of college to a self-taught full-stack developer adept in both backend and frontend technologies. The journey of expanding my expertise on-the-job and mastering new skills along the way is something I’m proud of.

DON’T MISS: MEET CARNEGIE MELLON TEPPER’S MBA CLASS OF 2026