A panel of Microsoft employees, including Hofstra alumni, visited the Science & Innovation Center on April 14 as part of the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science’s Industry Speaker Series. The event offered students an engaging and insightful conversation about emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, as well as the wide range of career opportunities available in the tech sector.
The panel featured five professionals across engineering, program management, business development, and sales. Panelists included Chris Guagliano, BS, ’16, senior AI engineer; Emily Eldredge, BS, ’16, senior business development manager; Daniel Lang, BA, ’05, U.S. fintech lead; Ashely Torres Ventura, technical program manager; and Richard Ortega, principal software engineer.
The speakers shared personal stories of career pivots, lessons learned from early setbacks, and how inquiry and networking opened doors to some of the most exciting and impactful roles at Microsoft today.
“Your career doesn’t need to follow a straight line,” Guagliano said. “I started in mechanical engineering, switched to electrical engineering, then computer science – and all of those shifts helped me find a place at the intersection of robotics, AI, and human-machine teaming.”
Richard Ortega, who works alongside Guagliano, added that AI is rapidly changing the way engineers approach their work. “We’re reaching a point where small teams can go from spec to production-level code in hours. But you still need domain expertise to ensure that the AI is building something meaningful and safe.”
Ashley Torres Ventura encouraged students to take advantage of internships and leadership opportunities, noting that her decision to pivot from software engineering to program management was shaped by her early experiences. “Hackathons, student organizations, and internships helped me figure out what I didn’t want – and that’s just as valuable as figuring out what you do want.”
Emily Eldredge, who began her career in television production, described how a change of heart led to a rewarding new direction. “I realized on my first day at a TV internship that it wasn’t the path for me,” Eldredge said. “That moment led me to explore the business side of media, which ultimately brought me to Microsoft. The lesson? It’s okay to pivot.”
Daniel Lang, a Hofstra physics and math alumnus who now works in sales, emphasized the value of transferable skills and relationship building. “I’m in sales now, but it all comes down to curiosity and understanding complex systems – skills I developed in the classroom. Your path may not be linear, and that’s perfectly OK.”
The panelists also addressed the rapidly evolving landscape of AI. Guagliano and Ortega discussed how Microsoft engineers are leveraging AI to automate up to 75% of code generation in teams and how foundational knowledge in computer science remains essential to safely and effectively guide these tools.
“AI is intent driven. That means anyone, regardless of background, can use it to accelerate what they do – but you still need the expertise to guide it,” Ortega said.
The panelists were also candid about workplace culture, discussing work-life balance, remote work trends, and the importance of emotional intelligence and mentoring on high-performing teams. While their roles vary, each panelist agreed that Microsoft fosters an environment where professional development, adaptability, and collaboration are prioritized.
“This panel offered our students an invaluable window into the practical applications of their studies and the wide variety of paths their careers can take,” said Dean Sina Rabbany, DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science. “Hearing directly from alumni and Microsoft leaders underscores how our curriculum prepares students not only to enter the workforce but to shape the future of it.”
The DeMatteis Industry Speaker Series aligns with the Hofstra 100 strategic plan – fostering interdisciplinary learning, enhancing student career readiness, and strengthening industry partnerships that bridge the classroom with the professional world.