Industry Insights prepares Tufts students for future careers

“You’ve got to make decisions and never second guess them, but make them right,” advised co-founder of Rocket Software Andy Youniss to a group of Tufts students at a recent Industry Insights event. When pressed on how to always make the right decisions he replied, “When they’re wrong, you fix them until they’re right.”

In 1990, Youniss co-founded Rocket Software, a New England-based global technology provider specializing in systems modernization. For three decades he served as president and CEO of the company, and he currently serves as the company’s executive chairman. He recently visited Tufts University for a compelling conversation, “From Beats to Bytes: Turning Passion into Purpose in Technology,” which spanned his love of music, his reflections on the tech industry, and his advice for emerging entrepreneurs.

Leading with values brings success

Youniss previously visited Tufts to deliver the 2019 Dean’s Lecture in the School of Engineering. At the time, he spoke about the growth of Rocket Software with a strong emphasis on four values: empathy, humanity, trust, and love. Now, six years later, the same core values have continued to drive Rocket’s success. Youniss encouraged students to seek employment somewhere that matches their personal values, whatever they may be. “Find a place at Tufts, and beyond Tufts, that has the same value system as you. That will be the most rewarding.”

He also encouraged students to embrace all parts of themselves, even ones that may seem contradictory at first. “At every point, put your full self into it,” he reminded them. For Youniss, that meant blending his music-loving persona with his software engineer persona. Music has been a powerful throughline in his life. He found that his work as a software engineer improved when he applied skills from the music world to his professional career. Doing so opened new paths of collaboration and strengthened his presence as CEO. According to Youniss, “If it’s authentic, it works.”

With over 3,000 employees, Rocket Software serves large banks, government agencies, manufacturing companies, and other major corporations. They are the largest supplier of software to IBM. Operating at such a high level requires a keen listening ear to ensure customer satisfaction. At Rocket, employees are dedicated to listening well and treating one another kindly. Whether he’s jamming with friends or meeting with a client, Youniss embodies these principles. “Model the behavior you want and do it over and over again until it becomes embedded in the company culture,” he advised students.

AI and the future of Rocket Software

Youniss sees innovation like a muscle that needs to be constantly exercised. Operating under the assumption that today’s technology will quickly become outdated, Rocket employees stay on the cutting edge through semi-annual hackathon events called Rocket Build. Creating time for employees to exercise their creativity keeps the company’s innovative spirit strong and helps them adapt to the constantly evolving technology landscape.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the latest innovations to emerge in the tech world. The company is implementing AI on two different levels. First, they are using AI to make operational improvements internally. Second, they are experimenting with how AI can help give their clients better results. For example, Youniss discussed how AI could help clients modernize their legacy systems. The company is also training AI to help manage client data and deliver useful insights. 

The Rocket-Tufts connection

Rocket has a strong history of employing Tufts alumni. The shared emphasis on innovation for social good at both Tufts and Rocket makes Tufts students a particularly good fit for the value-driven company. Youniss also appreciates the well-rounded education that Tufts candidates bring. “What I have seen with Tufts students is they know how to read, how to write, and how to speak,” he said. Three Rocket employees attended the event, including Jared Hunter, A01, EG06 a double Jumbo who earned his bachelor’s in philosophy and his master’s in computer science at Tufts. He has worked at Rocket since 2004 and currently serves as a strategic architect for security.

Youniss has been the guiding force behind Rocket’s innovation, acquisitions, partnerships, strategy, culture, and values since the company launched. He has been recognized as New England Technology Entrepreneur of the Year (2017) by EY and is one of the world’s foremost experts on making an impact through modernizing mission-critical legacy technology. He and his wife, Mariann, J83, (Vice Chair of the Tufts Board of Trustees), are longtime supporters of Tufts University.

Following the fireside chat, students had a chance to network with Youniss, Rocket Software employees, and Tufts alumni over dinner. The Industry Insights Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the Tufts President’s Office and the Tufts Career Center. Invited speakers highlight Tufts’ Social Mobility Initiative through the stories of prominent alumni and leaders from Tufts University’s business and community partners. The evening was moderated by Vice Provost for Education Cidgem Talgar.

Attendees included a mix of undergraduate and graduate students from the School of Engineering and School of Arts and Sciences. Regardless of their academic discipline, Youniss’ main piece of advice remained the same, “You have to believe that what you’re doing is the right thing. That conviction will get you through every bump in the road.”