A Foundational First-Quarter Experience
Vivek Arya (mpd² '26) shares the key lessons he learned during his introduction to Northwestern Engineering's Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd²) program.
Vivek Arya (mpd² '26) wants a leadership role in product management.
One quarter into his time in Northwestern Engineering's Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd²) program, Vivek said he's well on his way — thanks to what he's learning in and outside the classroom.
Vivek turned to the mpd² program because of its interdisciplinary nature. He expected the program to combine design, engineering, and business in a way that mirrored how products are actually made.
He quickly realized his expectations were being met.
"The program prepares us well by aligning coursework with real industry demands," Vivek said. "The hands-on projects, exposure to cross-functional thinking, and emphasis on decision-making gives me confidence that I'm building the skills needed to lead products effectively."
That preparation started from the beginning and continued throughout each of Vivek's classes. Each course provided a unique perspective on how to identify, scope, and gain a deep understanding of core user problems.
The single lesson that best epitomized this idea of putting the user first came from Mike Hyzy, vice president, national AI strategy lead and product development lead at IT consulting company CGI. Hyzy was a guest speaker in Customer Driven Opportunities.
"Spend 55 minutes understanding the problem and five minutes solving it," Vivek said. "That idea reinforced the importance of disciplined problem framing."
Additional guest speakers reinforced that same concept.
Christina Marion, executive vice president at communications consultancy firm Ketchum, emphasized the importance of balancing quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative data details the "what," Vivek explained, while qualitative insights reveal the "why."
Vice president and global head of consumer insights and marketing analytics at Kraft Heinz, Risa Duesing explained the danger of skipping qualitative research and the importance of translating insights into language that matters to leaders.
Both women spoke in Vivek's Marketing Research Tools and Methods class.
"Christina's examples showed how observing real consumer behavior often uncovers truth that surveys alone miss," Vivek said. "Risa's emphasis on clear executive summaries and grounded storytelling reshaped how I think about presenting insights to decision-makers."
Vivek appreciated the program's approach to AI and how his Introduction to Product Design and Development course and the program's AI Jetpacks series showed how to thoughtfully integrate AI into the product design process.
He also enjoyed the program-organized visit to McDonald's Chicago headquarters, where he and his classmates participated in a design thinking workshop, explored kitchen simulations, and learned about the company's cybersecurity operations.
With so many lessons learned from his first quarter in mpd2, Vivek said he can't wait to see how the program continues to help him grow moving forward.
"mpd² has helped me become more intentional, not just in designing solutions, but also in asking better questions and understanding the broader impact of product decisions," he said. "I'm excited to delve deeper into the product design and development process, especially in areas such as rapid prototyping, iteration, and building strong validation for product-market fit."