I led the strategy and development of a new company product that uses advanced analytical methods to track global climate change. By sourcing data across a variety of sources and leveraging the internal company platform, we were able to turn raw data into valuable insights that empower our users to track and understand climate change in new and meaningful ways. Given Applied XL’s mission of tracking the health of people, places, and the planet, this project was directly aligned with the company’s goals, particularly for tracking the health of our planet. Applied XL also relies on the use of data science and artificial intelligence to power its products. The product utilized both data science and AI technologies to power its capabilities, therefore aligning with the company’s functional profile as well.

I applied the skills I learned in my MBA to directly add value to the work I was doing. Particularly, the analytics classes Applied Regression Analysis and Business Analytics II were very helpful in giving me a strong foundation of knowledge in data science. I also leveraged lessons learned from the Product Management and Data Driven Dollars classes to understand how my role fits into the broader organization. I was able to work closely with the engineers because I understood the work they were doing, and I also used data science techniques of my own, such as regression and data analysis using Python, to deliver valuable work. I also leveraged some of the soft skills I learned from my MBA in my role. For example, I used concepts learned from LEAD and Negotiations to motivate my team. These skills became very valuable when I acted as a product manager and was delegating work to others.

The biggest challenge I faced was working as the lead product manager and managing the scope of the project. I had relatively little experience in this role, and found it challenging to manage the cross-functional team of engineers and strategists. It was particularly difficult to keep track of all of the sub-tasks that were required to get the product completed on time. Ultimately, I learned to use internal tools, such as Airtable and Monday, to keep the work organized and ensure timely delivery of all deadlines related to the product. I also ran into some challenges when working directly with the engineering team, as I was not fully versed in the technical parts of their roles and therefore was not able to fully understand some of the issues they faced. I am now planning to take courses in Python so that I can better address these types of problems in the future.

My goal for taking this internship was to learn as much as possible about data science and artificial intelligence, as these are two areas I am very interested in. I definitely learned a ton about both during my time at Applied XL. I worked closely with the data and engineering team, as well as external partners, and was able to understand first-hand how various data science methods are used for practical purposes. Perhaps more importantly, however, I found a passion for product strategy. I had no prior experience in a product role, but quickly realized I loved the work I was doing coming up with a vision for a brand new product and seeing the vision come to life. I am very thankful for this opportunity because I found this passion and hope to take on a similar role down the line in my career.