Lisa Gohil

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Empathy is the most important, and ultimately challenging, part of my job. Big hairy problems can be relatively easy to solve in a vacuum or academic setting. Solutions to those problems become infinitely more difficult to develop when you introduce the range of different perspectives and experiences from key stakeholders. Reconciling those views to develop an elegant solution for all parties can be incredibly challenging, but very rewarding.

What is the most important thing you learned while studying at Cal?
How to systematically break down and approach a problem, and find an optimal solution!

Do you have any advice for current IEOR students?
Take advantage of the incredible access you have to resources (e.g. professors, classes, peers) to figure out your interests, strengths, and motivations. I think success and happiness come from decisions guided by these things.