🚀 Ahead of the Curve: How Mark Sand is Harnessing Technology and Heritage to Shape the Future

When Mark Sand graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2019 with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, he stepped into a rapidly evolving field where innovation never rests. From the start, he’s embraced change—not only keeping pace with it, but staying ahead of it.

After beginning his career at Texas Instruments as a Product Marketing Engineer in the mmWave radar sector, Mark moved into a Product Marketing Manager role at Keysight, managing advanced test and measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes and vector signal generators. Today, he serves as a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Epicor in Austin, helping businesses streamline operations through SaaS ERP solutions.

🌟 Passion for Emerging Technology

Mark is deeply curious about how technology transforms daily life—and lately, his focus has been on artificial intelligence.

“I am really intrigued with AI and the daily use cases, for personal and professional use. I only recently started exploring the different applications of AI at work through Microsoft Copilot. In the last few months, I have been able to automate numerous tasks and use agents almost to the extent of a fully autonomous personal assistant. I am excited about the future of emerging technology and seeing what new uses others will find.”

🌱 Lessons From Family

Mark’s resilience and drive are rooted in the example set by his mother. Her perseverance continues to guide Mark’s path—fueling not just his professional success, but also his desire to mentor and encourage others.

“My mom came to the U.S. not knowing much English and through the years she persevered and pushed herself professionally. She would always advocate to me the importance of a higher education, and to never give up, as well as always keep learning. I saw her in my younger years go through some tough times, working multiple jobs, but she always stayed optimistic and made sure we had what we needed to survive. Whenever I faced challenges in school or in the workplace, I would think back to all the adversity she went through and be grateful for where I am in life and to be strong to keep pushing. She is the reason I am where I am at today, and I make sure to pass on what I have whenever I can to others.”

💡 Words of Advice for HSC Scholars

For today’s scholars navigating college and careers, Mark offers practical guidance rooted in both technology and tenacity:

“Never stop learning, especially in this day and age of AI technology. The best thing you can do to differentiate yourself in the workplace is your ability to learn and the skillset of not giving up when faced with unknown challenges. My motto when growing up and even now, ‘If you’re not ahead, you’re behind,’ and I firmly believe this.”

✨ Closing Note

Mark’s story is a reminder of how perseverance, family values, and openness to innovation can shape not only a career but a legacy. His journey reflects the ripple effect of HSC’s mission—empowering scholars to thrive and give back to others along the way.

Mark Sand, 2019 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and former Lawrence Ramirez Memorial Scholarship recipient with the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium awarded in partnership with Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin.