Zaid Haque on his years at CMU-Q: “If I could go back, I would tell myself to sleep less and enjoy the experience even more”

Zaid Haque, a 2012 graduate from the Information Systems Program, has built a career in the field of technology and design. Now living near Seattle, Washington, he visits Qatar regularly and maintains a strong connection to his former classmates.

How do you describe your experience at CMU-Q?

I was a part of Carnegie Mellon for only three years because I transferred out of medical school.  I would say these were the best three years of my life. They were three years where I worked day and night, three years where I didn’t get much sleep at all, but three years I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you could go back, what would you tell yourself to do that is different?

I slept for six hours a night, probably even less, but if I could go back, I would tell myself to sleep less and enjoy the experience more. I started a bunch of student organizations within the volunteering and global development space, but honestly, if I could go back, I would do even more. Those experiences were so fulfilling and have shaped my entire career.

Can you talk about the relationships that you built with professors?

I feel like I’ve received so much help from all the faculty. The mentorship and guidance that they’ve given me have helped me make the right decisions over the past 10 years of my life.

Is there one professor who stands out?

Professor Selma was the first person I met in the Information Systems Program. And I said, ‘Hey, I just came from med school and I have no idea what I want to do. Could you help guide me?’ And from that point onwards, I built this connection with her, which has stayed over the years. Every time I visit Doha, I make a point to reach out to her.

What was it like studying in Qatar?

One thing I did not realize before choosing a university in the Middle East was how different the lifestyle would be. At CMU-Q, we offer five-star accommodation for our students, things that you could never dream of in a dorm room in America. I was close to campus, in one of the world’s safest cities. I didn’t worry about things like, what happens if I leave my backpack on this table and go to the restroom? I could really focus on what was most important while I was here, which was my education and my experience.

How do employers in the tech industry view Carnegie Mellon graduates?

Carnegie Mellon has a really great name in the tech world. Everybody in Microsoft or Uber or Google or Amazon knows what a Carnegie Mellon degree is and knows how much value it holds. And it’s not just because of the name, it’s also because of the experiences that the students have received.

Are you still in touch with your classmates from CMU-Q?

Honestly, I developed friendships here that I think will last a lifetime. There were people who I spent all nighters with working on coding projects and assignments. And those are the people who I’m still in touch with to this day, even though I’m on the other side of the world. It’s really nice to have these people to always turn back to, whenever I need some advice. I have this network now, which consists of people, honestly, all over the world.

Anyone else?

I should have mentioned that I met my wife here, right?

What have you done since graduation?

My first job was an internship at Williams Formula One Racing as a simulation designer. Then I moved to Qatar Airways, where I worked on the technology and design aspects of the new airport. That was a fantastic opportunity, which I could have only received in Qatar, and only through Carnegie Mellon. I moved to America to go to grad school at Cornell Tech. I did an internship at Uber and had my own autonomous driving startup. After that, I moved to Amazon, and after a few years, to Microsoft.

How do you feel your CMU-Q education has helped you in your career?

At Carnegie Mellon, we have the opportunity to build our own communities, to pursue our passions. That goes a long way in the professional world. As a student you can get involved in what you like, whether you like to do sports or go on a volunteer trip to China. These things not only set your applications apart, but they help you grow as an individual. You learn how other people think, you learn teamwork, it really helps build a successful career.