Case Study: Georgia Tech MSHCI – Simulating the Real Interview Experience

Georgia Tech’s Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (MSHCI) is a renowned interdisciplinary program, equipping students with the technical, research, and design skills needed to craft future-forward digital experiences. As students approach graduation, mock interviews play a crucial role in preparing them for the job market.

Event Objective: Replicate Real Stakes Virtually

The goal was to mirror the intensity, timing, and variety of real tech interviews—from design critique sessions to portfolio reviews to behavioral interviews. In a traditional online setting, these simulations often felt overly formal or disconnected. MSHCI needed an environment where students could move between sessions naturally and engage with interviewers in a more human, intuitive way.

Simulated Pressure, Real-World Practice

With Gatherly’s timed session navigation and room-specific interactions, the MSHCI team created a fully immersive mock interview day. Students were able to rotate between interview rooms, where each space simulated a different format—UX whiteboard sessions, technical Q&As, and team-based problem-solving.

Faculty and guest professionals could easily transition between interviews, offer feedback in private coaching spaces, and connect directly with students without needing separate meeting links or back-end tools. The experience was designed to be fluid, fast-paced, and reflective of actual industry processes.

Confident Candidates, Clearer Growth Paths

For students, the experience didn’t just reduce interview anxiety—it created real clarity around what to improve and how. Gatherly helped bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing a space where performance could be sharpened under real-world conditions. And for faculty, the ease of managing multiple sessions in one cohesive platform was a game-changer.