An MTSU Student’s Journey in the Nashville Technology Scene

At the Nashville Technology Council (NTC) Innovation Summit event this month, we met Santiago Campoverde, a graduate student at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). What struck us wasn’t just his excitement for attending the event, but his story: a student actively bridging the worlds of software development and business, eager to learn, connect, and contribute to the Nashville technology community. 

As a company founded by two MTSU graduates, staying connected to the next generation of talent matters to us. After the NTC event, we reached out to Santiago to get a student’s perspective on what it’s really like out there in Nashville right now: balancing school, career goals, and a field dominated by AI. 

Hello Santiago! Tell us a little about yourself. 

Santiago: My name is Santiago Campoverde, and I’m 24 years old. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Systems at MTSU. I came here after completing my undergraduate degree in Software Engineering at Iowa State. I’ve always loved technology, but one thing I realized while studying was that technical skills alone don’t always translate well into the business world. That’s why I wanted to expand my perspective, learning not just how to code, but how to connect technical work to business needs. 

What brought you from Iowa to Nashville? 

Santiago: Iowa is a great state, it’s beautiful, but I wanted to be closer to a city and more opportunities. When I discovered MTSU’s graduate program and saw that it offered an IT assistantship, I knew it was the right choice. It checked all the boxes and gave me a chance to continue learning while also gaining hands-on experience. Not to mention that the Nashville technology community is very vibrant! 

You went from an undergraduate in software engineering to a graduate degree in information systems—what sparked that shift? 

Santiago: During my undergraduate studies, I led a hackathon club and began to notice a consistent pattern: many engineers were very technical but struggled when it came to communicating with businesses or stakeholders. That experience opened my eyes to the fact that it isn’t just about the code, it’s about understanding the people who will use it and the organizations it will impact. My senior project drove this home even further, as I saw firsthand how mismatched expectations between developers and stakeholders could stall progress. That’s when I realized I wanted to be that bridge, someone who understands the technical side but can also translate it into business solutions. 

Where do you see yourself in the future? 

Santiago: I believe that a project management or a business analyst role would really fit what I want to pursue. I still love problem-solving and coding, but I see the gap between business needs and technical execution as something that must be solved. My goal is to be flexible and lean into the technical side when needed, while also translating that into solutions that make sense for businesses. 

What brought you to the Nashville Technology Council event? 

Santiago: My graduate assistantship with Carlos Coronel at the MTSU College of Business actually opened the door. He encouraged me to go to the event. And, since I’m new to Nashville, it was an excellent opportunity to meet companies, make connections, and learn about the Nashville technology scene. It has really helped me feel a part of the community. 

What stood out at the Nashville Innovation Summit? 

Santiago: The energy was amazing. I met a lot of great people that I wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t gone. It was both fun and motivating. I saw how much was happening in Nashville’s software development, artificial intelligence, and technology sectors, and how open people are to connecting. 

Let’s discuss AI, the current hot topic in the industry. What’s your take? 

Santiago: At first, I was hesitant. I didn’t want to depend on AI and lose sight of my core skills. However, over time, I’ve come to view it as a tool, something that, when used wisely, can enhance a developer’s abilities. At MTSU, we are encouraged to explore AI technologies like Copilot, Perplexity, and Gemini. For me, though, the key is balance: use it, but don’t let it replace your own understanding. I’m hoping to explore AI further, but I’m still developing my core skills. 

You also walked away as our guitar giveaway winner! What’s the story there? 

Santiago: Yeah, that was awesome. I was entered into your drawing, and I was the first ticket you pulled out! It was a complete shock, but I was so happy to win! My dad is a big guitar player, and I used to play too, but I had a wrist injury that made me stop for a while. Winning that guitar felt like a sign to pick it back up again. It’s been great to get back into playing some of the songs I used to love.