A member of NYU Shanghai’s inaugural class, Samanta Shi ’19 is now an experience researcher at Google, and her journey serves as an inspiration to current and future students, demonstrating that with an open mind and a willingness to embrace new challenges, anyone can forge a successful path. Did we mention she is also a talented musician?
You were among the first class of students in 2013. What made you choose NYU Shanghai?
I was born in Hawaii and then moved around with my family from Sweden to England, from Kuwait to the United States. I learned to embrace changes, appreciate the similarities and differences across cultures, while getting to know people from diverse backgrounds. I am very grateful for how my upbringing has positively impacted my outlook on life.
I have Chinese ancestors but I didn't know any Mandarin and never lived in that part of the world. Though intimidating, I felt that this was a missed opportunity for me. The decision to join NYU Shanghai was driven by a combination of curiosity and a desire to connect with my heritage. The idea of being part of the inaugural class of a global university was also exciting. I was enticed by the idea of building something from the ground up. NYU Shanghai offered me a unique opportunity to study in one of the most vibrant and rapidly evolving cities in the world while pursuing my undergraduate degree. What else could I ask for?
What were some of the most rewarding things you learned at NYU Shanghai?
My initial major was physics, which I struggled my way through before switching to IMA. The foundational mathematics courses that I completed while being a Physics major helped me lay a solid foundation for data analysis, which has been very useful for my career. However, I have the IMA classes to thank for preparing me to participate in a series of hackathons while I was studying away in New York, including the TechCrunch Disrupt NY ’16 and the HackMIT ’15. Meanwhile, I took classes at a few different schools in NYC. At Tandon School of Engineering, I took Intro to Game Development and Intro to Web Development, through which I learned how to design and build prototypes. The skills I learned in these courses were immediately applicable to my first internship in NYC. I loved that I had a lot of freedom to build my own path. Thanks to these courses, I was presented with the choice of two great offers, a design internship for a rapidly evolving startup and a VR developer internship for Frameworks.
You made a bold move, taking two gap years to work full-time. How did that experience help you in your career path later on?
Having participated in a few hackathons, my team applied to and secured a spot in the Summer Launchpad Program of NYU’s Entrepreneurial Institute in 2016. It’s a 10-week accelerator program by the NYU Entrepreneurial Institute that NYU students can apply to. If accepted, you secure $10,000 in funding, mentorship, and a community of aspiring entrepreneurs. We started a company called MediVis, a healthcare company aimed at advancing surgical care with AR. In 2016, I was offered a full-time position after interning at Voyat, a tech company that offers software solutions to drive direct bookings for hotels. It was a tough decision for me to stop my studies and work full-time. Looking back, it really kick-started my career in design and research. I learned everything from designing and implementing campaigns to data analysis and user experience research. I worked with the company until 2019 and then I decided to return to NYU Shanghai to complete my degree. Because I took as many courses as I could in the evenings while working in New York I was able to graduate in just one semester.
Shortly after graduating, I landed a new job with Equinox, a luxury fitness company. I worked at Equinox for five years, where I conducted all kinds of research, from user experience (UX) to market research. I joined Google as a Senior UX researcher in July this year, where I conduct research for YouTube Ads. I’m really excited about this opportunity and look forward to learning and growing more as a researcher and making an impact.
You also are a singer-songwriter and DJ performing under the name Samanta Liza. Tell us about your music career.
I started playing acoustic guitar at the age of 13. I also sang and wrote songs. I participated in a talent show during my first year at NYU Shanghai’s campus at ECNU. It wasn't until the global COVID-19 pandemic that I started to learn how to produce music and DJ. My music genre is a mix of electronic dance music with pop and indie elements. It has underground charm to it. I performed at music venues when I lived in New York City and released my debut album in 2022.
Music is a big part of my life. It is my second career. It has helped me connect with people and get better at storytelling. I think that the creativity I foster by creating music is helpful for my job, too. When you are an artist and a performer, you need to craft an impactful performance. Whether you are DJ-ing a room of 10 or 100 or 1000 people, you need to understand how to manage the energy of the crowd and how to influence the vibe. There are some unassuming parallels between being a researcher and a performer. And, I love that I can learn from both of my careers to impact the other positively. I will continue to work on music in the coming years. I'm really excited about my second album, uninvited, which just came out on all major music streaming platforms on September 20.
What’s your advice for current or incoming NYU Shanghai students?
Fully embrace the opportunities that come your way and approach college with a sense of curiosity and openness. NYU Shanghai offers a unique environment where you can learn from some of the brightest minds from around the world. Take advantage of it by exploring different fields and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.
Another piece of advice: Do not underestimate the power of community. Engage with your peers, participate in campus activities, and contribute to the University’s evolving identity. Building strong connections with your peers and faculty can provide support, open doors, and offer valuable perspectives throughout your career. The collaborative spirit and diverse perspectives that you will encounter will most certainly enrich your experience and prepare you for making a meaningful impact on the world.
Remember that your time at NYU Shanghai is just the beginning. Use it as a foundation to build a career and life that you are passionate about.