Laying the Foundation for Three MPM Graduates

Kaiye Xu (MPM '24) earned a Bachelor of Science in construction management from Australia's University of Melbourne. He knew he wanted to build on his undergraduate experience before securing a full-time job, so he turned to generative AI.

He wanted to find a graduate program at one of the top 50 universities in the US. One that would prepare him for a career in construction management.

The answer he found was Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Project Management (MPM) program.

Xu is grateful for the generative AI application's answer.

Since graduating from the construction management specialization, Xu joined AESC, a developer of high-performance batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, where he serves as construction project engineer.

"This job exactly matches my major," Xu said, "which means it allows me to utilize what I learn(ed) in university for real-life projects."

Yanglinhao Shen (MPM '24) continues to find similar satisfaction in his job. Shen is an assistant outbound supervisor at WIN.IT America, a supply chain solution provider. The company is the US branch of China's WINIT Information Technology company.

Shen secured the full-time role soon after graduating from MPM. He spent two months as an operations analyst before transitioning to his current role, where he is helping upgrade one of the company's invoice systems and managing other outbound issues.

"Although it is stressful," Shen said, "it is full of opportunities."

Yeming Shao (MPM '24) had his mind on opportunities as well when he applied to MPM. Shao knew he wanted to transition from being a materials engineer to working in project management within the construction industry.

Today, he is doing just that.

Shao is a project engineer in the civil department at F.H. Paschen, a commercial construction and contracting company.

"My background in materials engineering sparked my curiosity about how different materials interact in construction," he said. "This interest, combined with my passion for project management, led me to the built environment sector."

MPM taught Shao the importance of adaptability. As he learned, projects rarely go as planned, so being able to adjust while maintaining efficiency is important for individual and organizational success.

He also learned how to communicate with diverse stakeholders and strengthen his problem-solving skills.

That combination gave a strong foundation in project management — a foundation he now leverages on a daily basis.

"MPM is a great platform with countless opportunities to connect with industry professionals and learn from their experiences," he said. "The exposure to real-world projects, expert insights, and networking events made a significant impact on my professional growth and career development."