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Stephanie Niezgoda MossProduct Innovation Senior Engineer, Procter & Gamble

Alumni Interview

"Students can maximize their time in EDI by focusing on the 'how' and the 'why' more than the 'what.' While you're in the program, it's natural to become laser-focused on making the best product you can, but the most re-applicable skills are in the process."

When you started EDI, did you know what industry you wanted to work in?

I thought that I probably wanted to work for an agency, but I was open to opportunities, and I'm very glad that I took a chance on a role in CPG.  You can't get much "closer to the consumer" than working to design and develop products that millions of people around the world use every single day - and that continues to excite me.

Tell us about an EDI course that made an impact on you.

Our first Human-Centered Design Studio was a collaboration with Procter & Gamble Feminine Care and that was actually what led me to be recruited for my first job there. The course was a great introduction to the company and understanding the objectives and challenges in creating a product for a real business need versus a purely academic exercise and gave me a great onboarding for working there.

Is there anyone you worked with during EDI that you consider a mentor?

Ed Colgate and Kim Hoffman were both great mentors. They were always strong advocates for the program and its students but also for us as individuals. They helped me to customize my curriculum based on my personal interests and skills and referred me to opportunities to help build my skill set and ultimately my career.  I'm glad to have had the opportunity to stay in touch through Northwestern's continued collaboration with P&G.

What advice do you have for an EDI student interested in working in your industry?

Students can maximize their time in EDI by focusing on the "how" and the "why" more than the "what." While you're in the program, it's natural to become laser-focused on making the best product you can, but the most re-applicable skills are in the process. How to take insights from consumers and translate them into actionable product improvements, how to clearly communicate your ideas and explaining the thinking behind them, how to work on a team in an effective way to be both collaborative and influential. These are the skills that will make you an essential asset to the company.

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