Columbia University School of Professional Studies’ Career Design Lab, in collaboration with the M.S. in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) program, hosted Bridging Data, People, and Strategy: Careers for 2026 and Beyond, an evening dedicated to exploring how emerging technologies, evolving industries, and human-centered leadership are reshaping the future of work.
Held at the Career Design Lab’s Midtown Manhattan space, the event brought together SPS students, alums, and industry professionals for networking conversations centered on digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data strategy, and career development. Through a series of rotating discussions, attendees engaged directly with leaders working across technology, finance, consulting, healthcare, and public service.
Featured speakers included professionals from organizations such as Meta, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, Intuit, Amazon, and the New York City Department of Health. Across industries and roles, a common theme emerged: technical expertise alone is no longer enough. Success increasingly depends on the ability to connect analytical thinking with communication, adaptability, and an understanding of human needs.
For many students, the event offered an opportunity to see how the interdisciplinary foundation of the IKNS program translates into diverse professional pathways.
Dhiandra Verdine Amandanisa reflected on her conversation with Jasmine Clarke, AI Product Manager at Goldman Sachs, which expanded her understanding of product management opportunities within financial services.
“As someone with experience in product management and banking, it was inspiring to see how product roles continue to evolve across different areas of finance,” she said. “Our discussion reinforced that career paths do not need to be rigid or linear.”
That emphasis on adaptability surfaced repeatedly throughout the evening. Students heard how professionals navigated career pivots, developed transferable skills, and positioned themselves within rapidly changing industries. Madison Hendry, VP of Firmwide AI at Morgan Stanley, discussed the importance of personal branding and strategic storytelling during interviews, encouraging students to frame their experiences through the lens of growth and versatility rather than a single predefined trajectory.
Other conversations focused on how artificial intelligence is affecting day-to-day work across sectors. While many attendees arrived with questions about automation and job disruption, discussions often returned to the continued importance of human judgment, creativity, and empathy.
IKNS student Mungasia Zack Mulekyo reflected on leaving the event with a clearer perspective on the role AI is likely to play in professional environments—not as a replacement for human expertise, but as a tool that can support more strategic and innovative work.
“Understanding the human experience remains crucial to the success of any product or service.”
The event also highlighted the breadth of opportunities available to IKNS students beyond traditional technology pathways.
IKNS student Neha Tewari found particular value in speaking with Adria Zern, a data analytics leader at the New York City Department of Health, whose career path demonstrated how data and strategy skills can create impact in the public sector.
“Given my own background in data analytics, I found her journey into public sector work particularly insightful,” Tewari said. “She shared how her path into government roles was shaped through nonprofit experiences, which offered a helpful perspective on alternative entry points into the field.”
Tewari also noted the openness of the speakers and the collaborative atmosphere throughout the evening.
“What struck me most was her clarity and genuine enthusiasm for her work,” she said. “The event as a whole created the kind of environment where real, meaningful conversations could take place.”
The evening reflected a defining characteristic of the IKNS program itself: the integration of data, people, and strategy as interconnected components of leadership and decision-making. Rather than treating technology as separate from organizational or human considerations, the event demonstrated how successful professionals increasingly operate across disciplines.
As industries continue to evolve alongside advances in AI and digital transformation, students left with more than networking contacts. They gained perspective on how to navigate uncertainty with curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to human-centered thinking.
For many attendees, the event reaffirmed that the future of work will not be defined solely by technological advancement, but by the people capable of using those tools thoughtfully, strategically, and collaboratively.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Information & Knowledge Strategy (IKNS) degree integrates data, people, and strategy skills for the AI age. The flexible and interdisciplinary curriculum trains leaders across the entire value chain of data-driven management: Getting the data and analytics right (e.g., AI adoption, business analytics), creating a high performing, people-centric culture (collaboration, team/project management, organizational psychology), and finally the right change management to turn your strategy into reality.
IKNS is available full-time or part-time, online or in-person on Columbia’s landmarked campus right here in New York City. To maximize opportunities for networking and community building, our online students join our New York-based students on Columbia’s campus for three in-person Residencies during their studies. The STEM-designated Master of Science degree offers International Students (F-1/J-1 visa) an opportunity for Curricular Practical Training during their studies (CPT) and 3 years of work authorization in the US upon completing their studies (OPT).
Students train under world-class faculty, including former and current executives from Google, IBM, NASA, and Oliver Wyman, and join a powerful global alumni network in coveted positions, including at Alphabet, Goldman Sachs, Nike, Pfizer, and the World Bank.
For more IKNS insights, news, and events, please go to our website, connect with us on LinkedIn, or attend one of our online info sessions. Visit the School of Professional Studies website to learn more about the SPS Student Experience.
