Paige Yu
Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business
“Trying things, failing sometimes, learning always.”
Fun fact about yourself: I’m an avid Fetty Wap fan!
Hometown: Clarksburg, Maryland
High School: Poolesville High School
Major: Business Administration, Additional Major: Human-Computer Interaction
Favorite Business Course: Strategy for High-Tech Products and Services
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Tartan Marketing Association – President
- 70-110 Business Computing – Head Teaching Assistant
- Woman in Business – Social Impact Project Lead
- Undergraduate Consulting Club – Consultant, Project Advisor
- Dean’s List (2022-2026)
- Duquesne Supply Chain Management Case Competition – 1st place
- Deloitte Undergraduate Case Competition – 3rd place
- Women in Business Social Impact Case Competition – 1st place
Where have you interned during your college career?
- Deloitte (New York, NY): Strategy & Technology Intern
- Event Options (Remote): E-commerce Product Data and Marketing Intern
- Carnegie Mellon University (Remote): HCI Research Assistant
Where will you be working after graduation? PwC Strategy& Deals Strategy (New York, NY), Associate
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Don’t feel guilty about moving at your own pace! My first semesters of college felt like a constant barrage of competitive club applications, recruiting cycles, and endless coffee chats. It’s easy to feel like everyone is always trying to get one step ahead. I found myself doing the same, often driven more by obligation and “FOMO” than by genuine interest. Over time, I learned that moving at your own pace doesn’t mean doing less, it means being more intentional. What matters most isn’t how much you do, but the impact you have. Prioritize the things that truly matter to you, and commit to them fully rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Although somewhat contradictory to my earlier advice about moving at my own pace, looking back, I wish I had acted sooner and more decisively. Early in my college career, I knew I wanted to pursue consulting, but I underestimated how early recruitment timelines for professional opportunities would begin. I often felt intimidated by the competitiveness of these programs and spent a lot of time polishing applications instead of connecting directly with people at these firms or getting my name out there. In some cases, I even held back from applying at all. Looking back, I realize that building relationships, seeking advice, and taking action earlier would have given me a stronger foundation and more confidence!
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? The Tepper School has integrated AI into its programming by encouraging professors to treat it as a tool to work with rather than something to ban. Several courses now incorporate AI directly into assignments, asking students to use it thoughtfully as part of the problem-solving process. One example is a course I’m currently taking, AI, Innovation & Competitive Advantage, which blends systems thinking, human-centered design, and human-machine interaction with hands-on experience in generative AI and no-code platforms. One key insight I gained from using AI is that its value depends heavily on human judgment. AI doesn’t eliminate the need for people, but raises the bar on how clearly we define problems and make decisions. Learning how to work with AI rather than around it has reshaped how I think about the skills that will matter most in the future of business.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? My proudest achievement at CMU was leading the transformation of our American Marketing Association chapter into an independent, student-centered organization, now known as Tartan Marketing Association. The question of whether to rebrand had been revisited by the executive board year-after-year. As president, I realized it was finally my responsibility to confront it and decide what would best serve our members. I approached the process intentionally, listening to both executive board and general members to better shape an identity that reflected our hands-on marketing projects, inclusive community, and creativity.
During the rebranding, I oversaw the development of new branding that showcased our members’ creativity, our club’s inclusivity to all majors beyond Business, and clearly communicated our mission. The rebrand gave us the freedom to represent ourselves authentically, and students responded immediately. Applications increased by 50%, and general body meetings grew from half a room to consistently filling an entire classroom. Beyond the numbers, I’m most proud that the club became a space where members felt ownership and excitement, and I’m looking forward to seeing how future executive boards continue to shape the club!
Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire my mentor and friend, Lee Wang. I first met Lee when he was the Head TA for my Microeconomics class, and I was immediately struck by his knowledge, but also how earnest and down-to-earth he was. He regularly hosted exam prep sessions not out of obligation, but because he genuinely wanted everyone to succeed. Shortly after, he took me under his wing and has since taught me much of what I know about navigating the professional world. Beyond supporting me personally (especially during the stress of recruiting), Lee has dedicated himself to mentoring many other students, even while pursuing a law degree. His goal of working in healthcare innovation and regulation reflects the same values he brings to mentoring: a commitment to impact, responsibility, and service.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? While it’s difficult to thank only one person, I would choose my mom. Throughout my time at CMU (especially during the uncertainty and stress of recruiting), she supported me in ways beyond encouragement. Despite never being asked to, she took the time to research and send roles that aligned with my interest because she genuinely cared about helping me find a path that felt right. Her actions reflect the work ethic and standards my parents live by, yet they have never made those standards feel like pressure. Instead, their confidence in me has been a quiet but constant source of motivation.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1. Work internationally at some point in my career. I skipped studying abroad in college, so this feels like the adult version. I’d love to immerse myself in a new culture, learn a new language, and learn how business looks outside the U.S.
2. Graduate from mentee to mentor. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the mentors who invested in me early on. I hope to pay forward the good advice I’ve received, and make it even better.
What made Paige such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“I have known Paige Yu for over three years. In the Spring 2023 semester, she took my Business Computing course and received an A grade. Since then, she has been my TA for the same course in Spring 2024, Spring 2025 and now in Spring 2026. She returned to my TA team in Spring 2025 as a Senior TA and was promoted to be one of the two Head TAs this Spring semester to supervise a team of sixteen TAs.
As a TA, she has had two basic duties: holding office hours and grading homework assignments and tests. She has been successful in both areas. Occasionally, she even found errors in assignment solutions. I find her highly intelligent and diligent. As a Senior TA, she was responsible for working and coordinating with two (junior) TAs for grading homework for one section of students. She was reliable and responsible for her group of TAs. She offered additional assistance and suggestions to the teaching team. As a result, I elevated her to the Head TA position for Spring 2026. I have seen Paige grow over the years. She can work with others in her team, and is a shining example of what instructors look for in students. She takes initiative, owns the work product and delivers results. She has all the qualities necessary to lead by example. I am certain she will be successful in her future endeavors.”
Tridas Mukhopadhyay
Deloitte Consulting Professor of e-Business
“Not only is Paige an exceptionally talented student, she’s been highly impactful within our club community for years. She brings a steady, thoughtful style of leadership that has strengthened the Tepper School community, particularly through her two‑year presidency of the Tartan Marketing Association, which she led through a full rebranding. In addition to her work as club President, she has also supported fellow Tepper School club leaders as a mentor, helping create a more open and collaborative environment across our organizations. All of this she has balanced while earning a remarkable 4.0 QPA in Business Administration and Human‑Computer Interaction and achieving her long‑term goal of securing a role with Strategy& in New York.”
Erin O’Brien
Senior Academic Advisor and Program Manager
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