Usman Moazzam - Class of 2018

As a Software Engineer at Microsoft within the Commerce and Ecosystem Organizations, Usman Moazzam (’18) is always focused on improvement. Most recently, Usman redesigned a tool called the Releases Workspace which helps project managers and engineering leaders map, track, and deploy new features for internal portals, AI-based Copilot, and other Microsoft products.  

Usman credits his Overlake education as a key contributor to his current success as a software engineer. “Overlake introduced me to the concept of a growth mindset by emphasizing the importance of embracing challenges and being unafraid of not knowing the answers,” shares Usman, further noting that “this approach helped me see obstacles as setback and opportunities to learn and grow, a perspective that has been instrumental in my work as a software engineer, where problem-solving and continuous learning are essential.” Even Beyond work, Usman notes that having a growth mindset has helped him navigate daily life challenges — whether that’s adapting to unexpected situations, managing setbacks, or staying resilient when things don’t go as planned. “Overlake instilled a growth mindset in me early on. It gave me the confidence to face challenges head-on and taught me that growth comes from effort rather than some intrinsic talent or acuity, a lesson I carry with me every day.” 

When he’s not busy improving products and tools at Microsoft, Usman is usually studying for his master’s degree in computer science with a specialization in AI, a degree he’s pursuing from Columbia University while also working fulltime at Microsoft. And yet, Usman still finds time to volunteer at a local free medical clinic, play Ultimate Frisbee with his friends, and participate in group park runs around the area.