Testimonial: Lili He (MSSM '19)
By Jordyn Pike
Master of Science in Software Management ‘19
Lemon8 Technical Lead,
Lili He graduated with a Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) and now works at TikTok as a Technical Lead for the sister platform Lemon8, where she is building out the US engineering team.
Time in the MSSM Program
When Lili He sought to advance her career in software engineering, she knew she wanted more than just a technical upgrade. While she respected Carnegie Mellon as an institution, she was initially unsure which program would best help her achieve her goals. After discussing the curriculum with Master of Science in Software Management (MSSM) alumni, Lili learned that the coursework trains future product managers and entrepreneurs, focusing on more than just technical proficiency. Since she was already technically skilled, she appreciated this broader approach. Lili enrolled in the MSSM program and joined the Silicon Valley community, drawn to the emphasis on leadership, communication, and a product-oriented mindset.
The MSSM curriculum equipped Lili with vital soft skills, including collaboration, leadership, and the ability to process constructive feedback. Most courses featured team-based projects, a factor Lili valued because they mirrored the real-world situations she would later encounter in her career. These teams rotated depending on the project, giving students experience working with diverse groups and balancing varying perspectives. Within these teams, Lili practiced advocating for a product’s direction and leading peers—skills that prepared her directly for her current leadership role at TikTok.
Working as a Technical Lead
Lili works as a Technical Lead for TikTok’s sister platform, , and is currently responsible for building out the US engineering team. She started her career at TikTok as a software engineer and applied her MSSM degree throughout her different roles at the company. When she began working at TikTok, she was assigned to one feature, but by applying the product mindset taught by the program, she realized it could become a set of features. Lili took ownership of this project and found a chance to lead.
Lili also credits the MSSM program for leveling up her communication skills, both verbal and written, which she uses every day in her career. She became very comfortable with writing during her degree and can produce roadmaps, technical design documents, performance reports, and one-pagers with ease. Verbal communication was another skill that Lili honed during her degree, and she found that she developed a proficiency in presentation and proactive speaking. Presenting to executives or speaking up during meetings, Lili found that MSSM gave her the confidence to share her ideas and findings with others, increasing her visibility within organizations and advancing her career.
