In their own words: MSSA mentor Adit Sheth
With over 10 years in the tech industry and more than seven years at Microsoft, I have led advancements in AI, large-scale distributed systems, and enterprise software. Beyond building cutting-edge AI-driven solutions, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career has been mentorship—helping others grow, innovate, and lead.
Mentorship isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about shaping the next generation of leaders who will modernize critical industries and redefine the AI landscape.
That’s what drew me to become a mentor with the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA). The program bridges the gap between military excellence and high-tech innovation, bringing in some of the most disciplined and mission-driven professionals, including military personnel, cybersecurity experts, and military veterans. These individuals possess leadership, resilience, and problem-solving capabilities that, when combined with AI, cloud computing, and software engineering expertise, create a powerhouse of future innovators.
Empowering military talent through purposeful mentorship
My mentoring journey didn’t start with MSSA. I mentor junior engineers at Microsoft and new interns, and am proud to have watched them all convert into full-time roles. Seeing former mentees’ growth reinforced my belief that mentorship accelerates careers, builds confidence, and fosters the next wave of AI leaders.
When I learned about MSSA I saw an opportunity to take this impact further—helping individuals that have already proven themselves in high-stakes military environments transition into tech.
So when I became an MSSA mentor I had high expectations. And the experience was even more powerful than I had anticipated. My mentees weren’t just professionals looking for a career shift. They were leaders, eager to take on the challenges of AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity—with a level of discipline and strategic thinking that set them apart.
I knew this mentorship wouldn’t be about simple training. It would be about empowering them to transform industries.
Mentoring MSSA participants was about more than walking them through coding exercises. It was about shaping their understanding of AI-driven enterprises, cloud-scale architectures, and the future of software development. We discuss scalable distributed systems, machine learning, prompt engineering, LLM optimization, AI security, and the role of automation in enterprise systems.
These professionals impressed me greatly—despite coming from non-software backgrounds, they quickly adapted and absorbed complex AI and cloud concepts at an incredible pace.
What stood out most was their ability to apply a mission-driven mindset to technology.
Whether discussing how distributed systems and AI could enhance national security, how cybersecurity principles should be embedded into AI-driven architectures, or how cloud computing could optimize critical operations, they weren’t just learning—they were strategizing. Watching them transition from uncertainty to confidence, from learning to innovating, was one of the most rewarding aspects of this mentorship.
Unlocking potential through mentorship
The impact of mentorship extends far beyond individual success stories. It drives industry transformation. Many of my MSSA mentees have gone on to join leading tech firms, contribute to AI-driven cybersecurity initiatives, and even work on national defense technologies. Their transition into AI and cloud computing doesn’t just advance their careers—it strengthens the U.S. workforce, accelerates technological innovation, and reinforces the country’s leadership in AI-driven enterprises.
Mentoring pushes me to think critically, communicate clearly, and lead with purpose
Beyond AI, I’ve guided mentees in backend development, API design, cloud-native architectures, and DevOps. Many transitioned from little enterprise exposure to mastering microservices, containerization, and scalable software systems. These discussions not only advanced their careers but also deepened my own expertise in distributed computing, cloud security, and high-performance engineering. Every question they asked pushed me to think deeper, refine my explanations, and approach AI development from multiple perspectives.
On a personal level, mentorship has sharpened my own expertise. Breaking down complex AI architectures, discussing the ethical implications of generative AI, and guiding mentees through strategic problem-solving have deepened my own technical and leadership abilities.
Mentorship isn’t just about guiding individuals—it’s about shaping the future of technology
Adit S.—Senior Software Engineer and MSSA mentor, Microsoft
One of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced as a mentor was mentoring a military veteran who was exploring AI and cloud engineering. We dove into real-world agentic systems, AI frameworks, enterprise coding practices, and cloud-native architectures. I shared how LLMs power modern apps and he quickly turned those concepts into tangible ideas.
That moment made me realize mentorship isn’t just guidance—it’s a spark that unlocks potential.
My mentee’s rapid growth pushed me to explain complex systems more clearly, deepening my own leadership and technical depth. It’s humbling and thrilling. You don’t just teach but you evolve. Mentorship is where technology meets purpose, and that feeling is nothing short of transformational.
Building the technology workforce
Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and MSSA ensures that its participants are prepared for the next wave of transformation across AI, cloud computing, and enterprise software development. From LLMs and AI-driven automation in cloud environments to high-performance backend engineering, database scaling, and real-time event processing, technology is no longer just a tool—it is the foundation of modern problem-solving.
To meet these demands, it’s important to guide MSSA mentees in the latest advancements in full-stack development, cloud platforms like Azure, networking fundamentals, API security, and software testing strategies. Understanding how to build, deploy, and maintain software at scale is just as critical as understanding AI. These discussions ensured that participants enter the workforce as well-rounded software engineers.
By equipping them with the right blend of AI experience, cloud architecture knowledge, and software engineering principles, we are creating a workforce ready to innovate, lead, and drive the digital transformation of the U.S. economy.
Why mentorship matters
Mentorship is a force multiplier. The knowledge shared with one mentee has a ripple effect, impacting organizations, industries, and even national security. If you are a tech professional, I strongly encourage you to get involved with mentorship programs like MSSA. Your expertise can help shape the future of AI, software, cybersecurity, and cloud computing while accelerating the careers of some of the most driven individuals in the industry.
Mentorship isn’t just about guiding individuals—it’s about shaping the future of technology. It’s been a meaningful part of my personal and professional development, and I would encourage anyone in tech to find a way to support early-in-profession talent like the MSSA program does with veteran talent. Through AI, cloud computing, and software engineering, we have the power to drive innovation, strengthen the economy, and build the next generation of industry leaders.
If you are passionate about AI, cloud computing, or mentorship, find me on LinkedIn, Medium, or GitHub. Let’s collaborate to advance technology and empower the future workforce.