Jai KrishnanSenior Product Manager, Youtube
Alumni Interview
"EDI made me more comfortable committing to a direction after graduating."
Tell us what your current title is and what your role entails.
I'm currently a Senior Product Manager at YouTube working on recommendations.
When you started EDI, did you know what industry you wanted to work in?
I came to EDI somewhat lost as a dejected IT consultant and was mostly drawn to the career paths I had not taken out of undergrad, like to find a small company, get more technical, and work in physical products if possible. I used my internships to try out those experienced and none of it ended up being fulfilling. But trying something out and failing fast ended up being a key step before finding work that did line up with my talents and interests. By the time I was at Google, I was comfortable spending multiple years on one project, like rolling out a new video format to the industry. Ruling out what I didn't want while at EDI made me more comfortable committing to a direction after graduating.
Tell us about an EDI course that made an impact on you.
Design Strategy taught by Greg Holderfield gave me a framework for the design industry, allowing me to find my place along the Tactics <-> Strategy <-> Vision spectrum. I realized I had talent and credentials allowing me to step into a more senior position than I thought I was ready for. Second, Innovate for Impact was an opportunity for me to explore my capabilities in a more realistic cross-disciple environment rather than EDI where everyone "spoke design". I realized my strengths in synthesis and communicating vision were even more powerful among non-designers who comparatively struggled to see the big picture. I believe my current role embodies both lessons.
What is one lesson you learned during your EDI journey that has stuck with you?
Craig Sampson, my thesis mentor who continued to be an advisor after leaving Northwestern, had great career and life advice. Two bits stick from his advising sessions: First, he asks "what do you want?" in just the right way to induce generative reflection. Second, I still live by his principle -- "When you stand for something, what you repel is as valuable as what you attract."
What was your EDI thesis project and what inspired you to pursue it?
My thesis was on haptic directions for bike riders through the handle bars. It was an interaction design exploration based on my internship at a bike safety startup in Boston - I had spent the summer doing broad user research on riders (and trying out the city bikes program myself) and landed on a project that combined some of my physical sensor interests with a clear product need.
What advice do you have for an EDI student interested in working in your industry?
First, lower the stakes. It's ok to end up in the "wrong" job out of grad school, you are still allowed to change your mind later. Second, plan to take two shots on a goal. Try hard to line up what you want for an internship and be ready to totally change your mind afterward. Third, slow and steady wins the race. Space out your search, like doing one informational interview a week throughout the program. And don't forget to enjoy yourself!
