Jai KrishnanProduct Manager, Google
Alumni Interview
"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."
When you started EDI, did you know what industry you wanted to work in or were you still exploring?
Coming into EDI as a dejected consultant, my priorities were: find a small company, get more technical, and work in physical products if possible. I met all 3 conditions for my internship, and it was awful. Sure enough, my goals changed by the time I left EDI, and I'm much happier in my current gig that fails all 3 conditions.
Tell us about an EDI course that made an impact on you.
I've got two answers!
First, 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.
Is there anyone you worked with during EDI that you consider a mentor?
The easy answer is Craig Sampson, my thesis mentor who continued to be an advisor after leaving Northwestern. Despite being a heavily decorated design thinker, Craig was most influential as a life coach. 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 to "When you stand for something, what you repel is as valuable as what you attract." Sage advice when you see a sea of lukewarm job openings.
How did you decide on your EDI thesis project?
I had a grab bag of personally exciting topics after my first quarter - sensors, human perception, and spacewalking - and landed on the problem of giving feedback to athletes (and trainee astronauts?) underwater. I promised myself I wouldn't be rushed, and actually started a quarter early with an independent study. Sure enough, my project stalled (waterproofing electronics was not in my excitement grab bag) and I switched based on my summer internship working at a bike safety startup. Ended up working on interaction design for bike riders.
What advice do you have for an EDI student interested in working in your industry?
Fifteen months is comically short for finding a life purpose that fits inside structural capitalism. 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!
