MSEM Alum Olha Karaiman (’21) is a product manager for Fanatics Commerce and lives in San Jose, California. We caught up with her to learn about how her experience in the MS in Engineering Management program prepared her for this role and why she would recommend the program to other students interested in pursuing similar careers.
Why did you decide to pursue an MSEM degree?
After graduating with a BS in Software Engineering from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine, I knew I wanted to become a Product Manager and pursue this path as a career. Having a technical degree provided a good foundation to break into Product Management, but I realized that I could significantly improve my chances by gaining more entrepreneurial and project-based experience. The MSEM Degree was the perfect choice. I was able to enhance my skills in business and entrepreneurship and gain additional technical knowledge, which further boosted my candidacy for PM roles.
Olha and graduating cohort (fall 2021).
What is your most memorable moment throughout your time in the MSEM program?
Being a cohort-based program, the entire experience was filled with wonderful moments, learnings, and fun that allowed me to make friends and get to know our faculty. The most memorable moment was my birthday during the first year in the program. Our final capstone project presentation was scheduled for the same day, and we were all excited to present the results of our hard work. After a successful presentation, the entire cohort went out to celebrate both the end of the project and my birthday. We had so much fun, and that’s a day I will always remember.
Olha and cohort at MSEM Halloween party.
What is your current role and what do you enjoy most about it?
In my current role as a Product Manager at Fanatics Commerce, serving sports fans globally, I work on multiple initiatives in the technology department, currently focusing on inventory visibility and data reliability initiatives. What I enjoy most about my job is having the leverage to understand and make decisions across intersections of different domains—business, tech, operations, finance. The PM job is fast-paced and dynamic, so I’m never bored.
Olha on MS in Engineering Management Programs Consortium panel at the 2023 Society of Women Engineers Conference in Los Angeles.
How do you think the MSEM program prepared you for your career?
I believe it gave me a solid foundation to succeed as a Product Manager. Starting with Accounting and Strategy & Entrepreneurship classes and ending with Public Speaking and Presentation Skills, the program equipped me with a diverse set of skills. The most valuable aspect was the exposure to real-world projects and clients, where I learned the importance of understanding the domain and industry, problem-solving, navigating ambiguity, and managing stakeholder expectations—skills crucial for a PM role.
Olha and MSEM Program Director Trevor Mackesey at SWE 2023 in Los Angeles.
Why would you recommend the MSEM program to other students who are considering a postgraduate degree?
I would recommend the MSEM Program to other students for three main reasons. First, the opportunity to work on multiple client-based projects allows you to build a great resume and make connections in the industry. Second, there’s a significant advancement of technical and business skills in a short period (1.5 years for me). Third, the program provides valuable connections and mentors for life. People in the MSEM program come from various cultural and academic backgrounds, offering a chance to build real friendships and expand your personal blueprint of the world.
Want to learn more about product management? Watch MEMPC’s fireside chat featuring Olha, JJ Rorie, lecturer at Johns Hopkins’ Center for Leadership Education and CEO of Great Product Management, and Jigar Shah (MSEM ’19), product manager at Asana.