The future of AI came into sharper focus for San José State University students on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, thanks to the NVIDIA GTC Student Experience. This immersive four-hour event, hosted at the Provident Credit Union Center, allowed students to participate in the excitement of NVIDIA’s global AI conference. Highlights included a livestream of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s highly anticipated keynote, fun swag giveaways, and a thought-provoking panel discussion focused on careers in AI, featuring voices like MBA student Saudia Jones, ’24 Marketing, ’26 MBA.
We reached out to a few students, including Saudia, to gather their key takeaways from this experience.
Saudia Jones, ’24 Marketing, ’26 MBA
Sammy Spartan, SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, and the Careers in AI panelists, including Saudia Jones,’24 Marketing, ’26 MBA, gather for a group photo at the NVIDIA GTC Student Experience. Photo by Florian Pilsl.
“Being a panelist at NVIDIA’s GTC for the ‘Careers in AI’ session at SJSU was such a special experience. As an undergrad who graduated last May, coming back to share my journey just a few months later, now as a Generative AI Analyst and SJSU MBA candidate, really felt like a full-circle moment. It was surreal to look back at where I was just a year ago, sitting in those same seats as a student, and now I was up there sharing what I’ve learned since then.
Talking to current students about my own experience and offering advice on how to navigate the job search felt really meaningful. I could relate to where they were coming from, and I loved being able to share the things that helped me succeed—whether it was networking, staying updated on industry trends, being open to learning, or just being persistent. I think a lot of them could see that it’s not just about technical skills, but also about staying proactive and not giving up when things get tough.
It was honestly a sentimental moment for me, and I really hope the students took something away from it that helps them as they start their own journeys. It felt great to come back and give a little back to the place that helped me get to where I am today.”
Saudia’s key takeway: “One of the most valuable takeaways from my experience as a panelist at NVIDIA GTC was realizing that transitioning into the AI space is rarely a linear journey. Hearing each panelist share their unique experiences really reinforced that there are many paths into this field—whether through engineering, product management, marketing, or business. I appreciated the authenticity and insight they brought to the discussion, which made me reflect on my own journey and the importance of staying adaptable and open to continuous learning.
As I continue in my role as a Generative AI Analyst and work toward completing my MBA, I’m more motivated than ever to keep building my technical and strategic skill sets. This experience has deepened my commitment to growing in the tech and AI space, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.”
Azfar Khan, ’26 MBA
Azfar Khan, MBA ’26 and Carter Abdallah, founding engineer of Brev.dev, an AI and machine learning platform that was acquired by NVIDIA. Photo courtesy of Azfar Khan.
“I thought it was a great student experience to see a company who is at the forefront of AI. I loved that we could connect with professionals at NVIDIA who took time to share their insight. A big thank you to the panelists for sharing their knowledge and advice to us young aspiring professionals.”
Azfar’s key takeway: “Social media is the new way to put yourself out there, it’s not just LinkedIn. [You] post what you do on other platforms to expand your brand and get noticed by professionals who may want to get to know you and understand you. It’s a two-way street— they want to get to know you as much as you want to get to know them.”
Anika Shah, ’25 Management
Anika Shah at the NVIDIA GTC Student Experience, which took place in Provident Credit Union. Photo courtesy of Anika Shah.
“NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, delivered a compelling keynote, highlighting so many amazing accomplishments at NVIDIA, especially the advancements being made in AI & Robotics. My standout moment was seeing Blue, the robot, onstage- reminding me a little bit of Wall-E!”
Anika’s key takeway: “It’s exciting to watch these innovations occur in real-time. As a graduating senior seeking opportunities, it’s inspiring to see companies like NVIDIA expanding into these key areas. I look forward to learning more throughout my career and am so grateful to have been a part of this moment.”
About Lucas College and Graduate School of Business
Lucas College and Graduate School of Business faculty, staff, students and alumni consistently make a significant impact in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Many graduates have gone on to excel in various industries, with a notable presence in Silicon Valley. These organizations recognize and value the exceptional education and skills our alumni bring to their roles, making San José State University a key contributor to the region’s thriving economy. With competitive tuition and outstanding career outcomes, our college is among the top institutions for return on investment (ROI), delivering unparalleled value for money in higher education. We offer MBA, PMBA, MSFA, MSAA and MSTM degrees at the graduate level and 14 different BSBA concentrations at the undergraduate level, the largest set of offerings among the CSUs. These include accounting, accounting information systems, business analytics, corporate accounting & finance, entrepreneurship, finance, general business, hospitality, tourism, & event management, human resources management, international business, management, management information systems, marketing, and operations & supply chain management.