Maya Mishra, who earned her master’s in engineering management (MEM) degree in May, received the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) Graduate Scholarship.

Maya Mishra, who earned her master’s in engineering management (MEM) degree in May, was the sole recipient of the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) Graduate Scholarship. ASEM is a global professional society dedicated to promoting and advancing the engineering and technical management profession.

She shares her thoughts on winning the award, her future aspirations, how the MEM program has impacted her life and offers tips to others thinking of exploring the program.

What does it mean to you to be the sole recipient of the ASEM Graduate Scholarship Award?

It’s both humbling and deeply affirming. This is more than just a personal achievement — it reflects the values I hold dear: purposeful leadership, community impact and innovation driven by empathy and intent. The award validates the countless hours I’ve dedicated to pro-bono mentoring, leading high-impact industry-academic collaborations, and building hiring pipelines and knowledge-sharing platforms for my peers.

Can you elaborate?

More than recognition, this award feels like a responsibility. I see it as being entrusted with a baton to represent ASEM, Purdue and the broader engineering management community in the best possible light. It’s a reminder that the work I do goes beyond my résumé; it shapes how this field is perceived, evolves and progresses. When I first applied to graduate school, winning something like this wasn’t even on my radar. To be chosen from among so many is surreal, and it fills me with a sense of duty to pay this honor forward. I don’t view this recognition as a finish line but as a renewed call to lead, mentor and innovate with greater purpose.

Mishra will be joining Walmart as a product manager on the Innovation & Automation team.

What is your current goal?

I’m joining Walmart, No. 1 on the Fortune Global 500 list, as a product manager on the Innovation & Automation team. I’ll be focused on developing next-generation solutions at the intersection of technology and operational excellence. My immediate goal is to drive impact as an individual contributor, owning high-value products that enhance warehouse efficiency and elevate user experience. But my vision extends well beyond that.

What are your future plans?

Long-term, I aim to grow into leadership roles — perhaps innovation manager, vice president of product, or even CTO. I want to be accountable for aligning product vision with strategic goals and for shaping company-wide innovation roadmaps. Having started my career at Caterpillar, I have a deep appreciation for the rigor and discipline required in operational excellence. That foundation continues to shape how I solve problems — combining engineering depth with systems thinking.

How will you give back what you have learned?

I plan to stay connected to Purdue by joining the Purdue for Life Foundation as an alumna, where I’ll continue mentoring future students. Eventually, I’d love to organize a national MEM conference bringing together recruiters, engineering leaders and students to create a  sustainable hiring and mentorship pipeline — especially for Purdue MEM students.

My goal is to be a multiplier, someone who creates meaningful opportunities for others. I want to build a career that blends inclusion, service and significance. This scholarship has strengthened that ambition, and I plan to carry its spirit forward in everything I do.

Mishra during her internship at Tesla.

How did Purdue Engineering and the MEM program prepare you for your career?

Purdue MEM empowers students to chart their own path. It’s not just a flexible program — it champions exploration. Purdue’s ecosystem led me to three top-tier internships: Tesla, Walmart and ABB. My opportunity at Tesla came through Purdue’s strong alumni network, where past MEM student success helped open doors. Walmart came directly from the Purdue Industrial Roundtable, where over 400 companies recruit on campus. ABB was the result of attending the Society of Women Engineers Conference in Los Angeles, made possible through a travel scholarship I received from MEM.

What hands-on exposure did MEM provide?

MEM gave me more than a curriculum; it gave me a proving ground. In my first semester, I led three major consulting projects. At Caterpillar, I managed 12 data scientists on an analytics initiative, leveraging my three years of pre-MEM industry experience. At Juniper Networks, I served as a product operations consultant under the mentorship of a VP. At Bayer, through Purdue’s Social Innovation program, I helped a farming startup expand across the U.S., UK and Africa. These weren’t just “projects” — they were real, high-stakes engagements that required me to operate with rigor, lead with clarity and deliver with impact.

Any special memories you’d like to share?

Every experience — from leading consulting projects to interning in three different industries — felt like deliberate preparation for the career I wanted to build. I explored hardware engineering at Tesla, supply chain innovation at Walmart and electrification strategy at ABB. That diversity wasn’t coincidental; it was encouraged.

Purdue’s commitment to educational freedom allowed me to explore, experiment and refine my goals. Now, as I step into my role at Walmart, I carry not just experience, but conviction. Purdue didn’t just support the vision I had — it gave me the space to define it for myself.

Mishra graduated in May with a master's in engineering management degree.

What was the most important thing you learned as a Purdue MEM student?

Prioritization with laser focus. The program is selective for a reason. It demands rigor and consistency. To succeed, I had to treat prioritization as a life skill. Managing deadlines, recruiting and balancing overlapping responsibilities left no room for excuses. Over time, this discipline became part of my daily life — professionally and personally.

What makes the MEM program special?

It asks a lot of you but gives just as much in return. The ecosystem is built to support student success at every level. From academic advising and career coaching to alumni networks and recruiting pipelines, every resource you could possibly need is already in place. MEM doesn’t just prepare you for the real world — it immerses you in it. If you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll find unlimited opportunities to thrive.

What was the most surprising thing you learned?

I thought I’d graduate with a degree—but instead, I’m leaving with a community. I expected a lot as a student, but I hadn’t anticipated the deep and lasting relationships I would build. The professors, peers and advisors I met through MEM didn’t just support me in the moment — they’ve shaped my thinking and will continue to influence my journey as mentors in the years ahead.

Interested in exploring MEM? Maya offers these tips: 

• Understand it’s not just a degree — it’s a community: Unlike research-based programs, a professional master’s like MEM thrives on alumni engagement and a culture of paying it forward.
• Be open to experimentation: While it's good to enter with a vision, be willing to evolve it. The MEM journey throws a wide range of experiences your way — from industry projects to new perspectives from peers — and being adaptable is key. Some of the best outcomes in my journey were shaped by opportunities I hadn’t planned for.
• Lastly, resilience matters: Not everything will go your way. There will be disappointments, missed offers and moments of doubt. But what defines your experience is how you show up despite that. Make the best out of what’s in front of you. That mindset, more than anything, is what will prepare you to lead in the real world.