Why These Grads Chose Purdue’s Master Of Business And Technology

Recent graduates of the Master of Business and Technology (MBT) program at Purdue’s Daniels School, Owen Mahin and Baargav Duggirala, reflect on a transformative academic and professional journey. From the outset, Mahin and Duggirala sought a graduate program that would bridge the gap between advanced technical skills and strategic business acumen. The MBT program’s distinctive blend of rigorous coursework, hands-on projects and a collaborative learning environment provided the ideal setting for such growth. In the following responses, Mahin and Duggirala share candid insights into why they chose the MBT and the ways in which the program has shaped their career trajectories.

Did you consider an MBA before choosing the MBT? What made Purdue’s MBT program a better fit for your goals?

Owen Mahin: Yes, I did consider pursuing an MBA before choosing Purdue’s MBT program. What ultimately drew me to the MBT was its focus on the technical aspects of AI and machine learning, which I found more aligned with where the future of business is headed. We often hear that every company is becoming a tech company, and I wanted to be equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in that environment. The opportunity to develop expertise in computational business intelligence and understand how data and technology drive decision-making was a key differentiator that made the MBT a better fit for my goals.

Did you find the MBT’s integration of business and technology concepts gave you a more specialized or competitive edge than a generalist MBA would have?

Baargav Diggirala: Absolutely. We had courses like Computational Business Intelligence that covered data-driven decision-making using machine learning, and then we had an Emerging Technologies class where we dove deep into generative AI, how foundational models work, and how to build applications on top of them. Honestly, I wouldn’t have really known the difference between traditional ML and Gen AI without this program.

That integration gave me something you just don’t get in a traditional MBA. I can now have conversations about both the business strategy behind AI adoption and the technical realities of what’s actually possible. When I’m talking to companies incorporating AI into their products or building AI-first products, I understand what they’re building and why certain approaches work better than others.

Do you believe the MBT has positioned you better for roles that bridge technology and business, such as product management, business systems strategy or digital transformation leadership?

Owen Mahin: Absolutely. The MBT program has positioned me well for roles at the intersection of business and technology, particularly in product management and business intelligence. I now bring a combination of technical skills and soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving and strategic thinking, that are essential for navigating cross-functional environments. I feel confident in my ability to contribute to initiatives that involve digital transformation and systems strategy thanks to the tools and knowledge I gained through the program.

Which specific skills acquired during the program have been most beneficial in your current/future role?

Baargav Diggirala: The program connects different experiences. In our SMVF (Student Managed Venture Fund) class, we were working with a VC fund to evaluate startup deals and saw how much time goes into screening dealflow. In the Emerging Technologies course, my teammate and I decided to build an AI application that helps VCs with that exact problem — an LLM-powered dealflow triaging tool that can classify pitches, extract key information and give alignment scores.

That project taught me how to build a technical solution for a real-world business problem. Plus, the technical skills like DevOps and deploying applications on Azure have been really practical, and I understand what goes behind this infrastructure.

Can you share your experience with the capstone or other experiential learning projects? How did it help in applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges?

Owen Mahin: The capstone project was a highlight of the program. It allowed me to step into the role of a consultant and apply what I’d learned to a real-world challenge. Specifically, I worked on a project addressing the misalignment in how a company was tracking employee skill sets. Using my understanding of AI tools, I helped educate the company on new options they could implement to improve this process. It was a great experience in translating classroom concepts into practical, value-driven solutions.

Baargav Diggirala: For our capstone, we worked on an academic research paper called “Discoverability in AI Search: Analyzing How Multiple LLMs Surface B2B Software Products Across the Buyer Journey.” We were basically studying how ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini differ in recommending B2B software products and what factors influence brand visibility in their responses.

This project has been great because it combines everything we’ve learned. We’re using our understanding of how LLMs work from Emerging Technologies, applying research methodologies, and tackling a real business problem that companies are starting to face as more buyers use AI for product research instead of traditional search.

The VC deal flow tool I mentioned earlier is another example. That came directly from seeing a problem in SMVF and having the technical skills from other classes to actually build something about it.

What was your favorite course? Please share your biggest learning outcome or takeaway?

Owen Mahin: My favorite course was Tech Governance and Regulation. It provided an in-depth look at ethical business practices and helped me understand how to design governance frameworks and policies that can guide global corporations in following both legal and ethical standards. The course highlighted how important it is to create systems that balance innovation with accountability.

Baargav Diggirala: Emerging Technologies was definitely my favorite course. We learned about generative AI, how foundational models actually work, and had hands-on experience building applications on top of them.

The biggest takeaway was understanding the difference between just using AI tools and actually knowing how to build with them. Before this course, I knew AI was important but didn’t really understand the technical side. Now I can evaluate what’s realistic to build, understand the limitations of different models, and actually prototype solutions myself.

Can you discuss your interactions with faculty members and how accessible they were for mentorship and guidance?

Owen Mahin: My interactions with the Purdue faculty were overwhelmingly positive. Every individual I encountered, from professors to staff, was incredibly approachable and genuinely invested in student success. They were always willing to go out of their way to offer guidance, mentorship, and support. Not only from an academic standpoint but also in helping us grow as young professionals navigating our career paths.

Baargav Diggirala: Everyone was so forthcoming and encouraging. Professor Rob Elliott, our program’s managing director who also taught us DevOps, was always there to understand our challenges and perspectives and incorporate our feedback. The faculty made themselves accessible and helpful throughout the program.

What challenges did you encounter during the program, and how did you overcome them?

Owen Mahin: One of the biggest challenges I faced was managing my time effectively. Balancing the demands of coursework with my responsibilities as a graduate assistant was no small feat. However, this challenge helped me grow both personally and professionally. I learned to lean on my cohort for support, and we built a strong sense of trust and teamwork.

Baargav Diggirala: After working for several years, it took some time to adjust back to an academic setting and meeting deadlines. Also, 36 credits in one year really pushed our limits. The pace was intense. I think what helped was leaning on the cohort. Since we were all going through the same thing, we could support each other and figure out how to manage the workload together.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling in the MBT program?

Owen Mahin: I would encourage prospective students to apply to the program. The MBT program has opened my eyes to technical opportunities I hadn’t previously considered and provided exposure to industries and career paths I hadn’t thought were within reach. It’s a program that pushes you to grow and equips you with both technical knowledge and business acumen.

Baargav Diggirala: My perspective is that all businesspeople will need to understand technology to be able to play better in today’s market. This program gives you that foundation in a way that’s actually practical and applicable.

Also, I’d say start building rapport with people in the industry you want to work in from the beginning. The program gives you great knowledge, but building relationships and learning from the experience of people on the ground is just as important for landing the roles you want.

At a time when organizations cannot afford to ignore AI and emerging technologies, when AI is being integrated at the core of business operations, both Mahin and Diggirala say that MBT equips graduates like them with the strategic insight to apply new technologies effectively in real-world business context.

The Daniels School offers the Master of Business and Technology both online and on-campus to prepare STEM and business professionals to leverage emerging technologies and conceptualize yet-to-exist innovations while evaluating their ethical, social, and economic implications. Students hone their professional skills in leadership, change management, and project management. They elevate their strategic decision-making, ethical and regulatory discernment, and global business competence.

Read how Rama Deshpande maximized her MBT experience and landed a competitive role at Amazon.

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Purdue University’s Mitchell E. Daniels School of Business

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