This Go-Getter Understands 5 Languages and Thinks Spreadsheets are Sexy

Meet this 3rd year business and engineering student who has already started his own mobile development business. In addition to Rehman Pirani's 4+ years of experience working at heavy hitters like Coke, NCR, and Fulton County Schools he is a member of the team of Georgia Tech students that recently won the 2015 Ideas to Serve Competition. He has been chosen as a Human Capital Scholar Intern at Deloitte for the summer, but keep him in mind as available fall talent and let's get him excited about ATL's startup opportunities.

What is your major?
I am a Business Administration major, concentrating in Operations & Supply Chain Management with a certificate in Finance at Georgia Tech. I am also pursuing a minor in Engineering and Business through the Denning Technology & Management program.

What are you currently working on outside of class?
Changing the world one toothbrush at a time. More specifically, I am working with a cross-disciplinary team of 5 students to deliver the ease of teeth brushing to people with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. Through our T&M product development class, we were able to develop the idea of a prototype for a toothbrush specifically designed for individuals with limited motor control. Improvements include a larger foam handle for easy grip, a built in instructional song, as well as many others to provide the most effective and independent brushing experience for these individuals. We had the amazing opportunity to present our design in the Ideas To Serve Competition where we won first place. With the funding we have received, we are now in the process of creating a usable prototype. Our ultimate goal is to give every child at the Chattooga Special Needs Gym (our partner organization) one of these special toothbrushes and hopefully, provide some ease in their lives.

Additionally, I have been interning part time at an agile software development company called PowerPlan, Inc. As the Product Management Intern in the Research & Development division, I introduced a company-wide training process on a team collaboration software called Confluence. Furthermore, I produced multiple metrics with SQL that captured the overall proficiency of the company’s R&D division. These were then used to help assess the company’s internal performance at the quarterly Board of Directors meetings.

And, I’m a professional Netflix critic and currently working on finishing season 1 of Friends.

What startup/tech projects have you worked on?
Plutonium Productions, LLC / Atlanta, GA / Co-founder
January 2014 – February 2015

This past year I founded an LLC with four other college students to develop and market mobile applications for clients who are unable to create mobile applications independently. I worked with a professor from the Florida International University to convert her eBooks for her classes into interactive mobile applications. The goal of this startup was to create this specialized app that could be used as a supplement for her classes. Therefore, eliminating her need for online textbooks.

What tech/tools are essential to you?

• Google calendar is my best friend. From my internship hours to planning a date, this tool keeps my life on track.
• Being a Business major, Microsoft Excel is also an especially vital tool for me. All my internships have required proficiency in the Microsoft suite as well as in SQL.
  -The CAD software has recently become integral for my team as we continue iterating through our toothbrush design.

What are your best technical or creative skills?
As I mentioned before, I am very comfortable with Excel. I mean, spreadsheets are sexy. I am also well versed in the product and project management process. During my freshman year internship at NCR Corporation, I completed seven vastly different projects throughout the course of one summer and gained a lot of perspective on what it takes to see an idea from creation to implementation.

What’s next on your list to learn?
I really want to gain some coding experience. I’m thinking about trying my hand at JavaScript and Python. Other than that, improving my proficiency in SQL is on my to-do list as well as learning how to cook authentic Indian food.

Interested in working for a startup, mid-sized company, or a corporate giant?
I have previously had a number of internships where I have worked in a mid-sized company like PowerPlan Inc., a corporate giant like The Coca-Cola Company, and have had my own startup. With my toothbrush project going forward, I am once again involved in the startup scene. I am always searching for new, exciting opportunities where I can have the potential to add some value and acquire new skills and experiences.

Post graduation plans?

• Travel the globe, be inspired, and find my passion.
• Create a job that fits my goals and interests.
• Pursue a MBA at a top business school in the next 3-4 years.