UCSB MTM Alumni Pathways
Our students come to UCSB MTM from diverse backgrounds, including engineering, humanities, social sciences, and the Armed Forces. This diversity enriches our community and equips our graduates with the skills to lead and collaborate across industries. No matter where they begin, MTM helps them take the next step in their careers, driving innovation and impact.
Learn more about MTM Admissions.
Hear about the journeys of alumni with backgrounds in:
Engineering Background
Collaborating Across Teams: Amarsh Anand
Amarsh Anand, Lead Software Engineer, Coupa
Amarsh came to MTM as a skilled engineer seeking to broaden his impact. The program taught him how to collaborate effectively with non-technical teams like sales, strategy, and executive leadership. Today, Amarsh excels as both an engineer and project manager, bringing a holistic perspective and communication skills that elevate his leadership and career.
From Mechanical Engineer to Project Manager: Christian Beltran
Christian Beltran, Project Manager, Omnicell
With a background in mechanical engineering at Lockheed Martin, Christian used MTM to transition into project management, a role that aligns with his passion. The program’s emphasis on emotional intelligence and communication prepared him to navigate complex conversations and connect effectively with stakeholders, customers, and senior leaders.
From Computer Science to Product Management: Prajna Nagaraj
Prajna Nagaraj, Product, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Prajna entered MTM from a computer science background to build her expertise in product management. The program’s hands-on approach and opportunity to participate in a new venture competition gave her the tools to excel in market research, persona creation, modeling, and strategic planning, skills she uses daily in her current role.
Driving Innovation in Product Management: Sonam Sinha
Sonam Sinha, Product Management Director, Visa
Sonam leveraged her engineering background to explore her passion for product ownership and development through MTM. She credits the program’s focus on building MVPs (minimum viable products) and problem-solving as pivotal in shaping her approach to product management. Sonam continues to apply MTM principles to her role at Visa.
From Electrical Engineer to Aerospace Innovator: Kelsey Judd
Kelsey Judd, Program Manager, Redwire Space
Kelsey Judd attended MTM’s nine-month program to transition from electrical engineering to leadership in aerospace. Through world-class faculty, a diverse cohort, and industry projects, he gained critical skills in team dynamics and problem-solving. Now a Program Manager at Redwire Space, Kelsey leads teams and drives innovation in the space industry.
Humanities and Social Sciences Backgrounds
Leading Cross-Functional Teams: Shiv K.
Shiv K., Director of Product Management, Walmart
Shiv brought his humanities background to MTM to deepen his business and tech expertise. He valued the diversity of his cohort, learning how to collaborate with peers from various disciplines. At Walmart, he applies these lessons daily, leading diverse teams and paying forward the insights he gained in the program.
Music Major turned Digital Strategist: Isabel Petty
Isabel Petty, Head of Digital, Hello Tushy
Isabel transitioned from music studies to eCommerce leadership with MTM. She chose the program for its technical focus and accelerated timeline, allowing her to fast-track her career. From category management at Walmart eCommerce to leading digital strategy at Hello Tushy, Isabel represents the program’s cross-functional potential.
Marketing Success at Google: Jess Carpenter
Jess Carpenter, Product Marketing Manager, Google
Jess combined her degrees in English and Spanish with MTM to accelerate her career. Completing both degrees at UCSB in just four years, Jess calls MTM her “consolidated MBA.” Her strong foundation in product marketing, built through MTM, has helped her achieve success at Box and now Google.
Transforming Creativity into Tech Leadership: Andres Serratos
Andres Serratos, Associate Project Manager, AppFolio
With a background in film and media studies and communication, Andres used MTM to transition into the tech industry. The program equipped him with leadership skills and the ability to accelerate his professional path. Now, as an associate project manager at AppFolio, he continues to build on his MTM experiences.
Turning Innovative Ideas into Technical Reality: Shelby Salling
Shelby Salling, Efficient Compute GTM Specialist, Amazon Web Services
Shelby studied sociology as an undergraduate and was looking for a graduate program that would bridge the gap between her business understanding and early technology experience. She wasn’t sure what job she wanted to pursue prior to joining the program, but, as she notes, “MTM felt like the right place to learn crucial business functions while figuring out what my career goals were.” She is now a collaborative leader accelerating innovation at Amazon Web Services.
Leading Innovation at InvestNext: Liva Lagestrand
Liva Lagestrand, Senior Product Manager, InvestNext
Liva joined MTM to transition from business-focused roles to bridging the gap between business and technology in the software industry. Through connections with peers, advisors, and industry experts, as well as the hands-on field project, she gained critical skills in collaboration, adaptability, and leadership. Now as a Senior Product Manager at InvestNext, she manages engineering teams and drives innovation while supporting customer success.
Armed Forces Background
Army Veteran to Tech Leader: Calvin Blais
Calvin Blais, MTM Class of 2025
As an Army veteran, Calvin joined MTM to bridge higher-level gaps on his resume and deepen his expertise in technology. With the support of UCSB’s Veteran Affairs, he’s building the skills to transition into leadership roles and contribute to the tech industry with his unique perspective.
Leadership in Action: Air Force Officer Phebe Cornell
Phebe Cornell, Policy Analyst, Pentagon
Phebe, an active-duty Air Force Officer, joined MTM through the Advanced Academic Degree Program. She credits the program with preparing her for her current role as a Policy Analyst at the Pentagon, where she applies the leadership and problem-solving skills she gained during her time at UCSB.
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