1. With around 3+ years industrial experience, what advice would you like to give to your juniors stepping into the industry?
Ans: Do not hesitate. No question is right or wrong. Ask for help if you feel you are stuck. Rather than getting stuck in a problem for a long time, ask for help. Look for mentors in the company and be vocal about your career aspirations.
2. You have been a Software Engineer Intern at Microsoft India What tips would you like to share with your juniors, applying for such internships?
Ans: Prepare well for the interviews, on campus opportunities are the best way to get it. Be confident in interviews. And ofcourse, prepare and practice coding questions as much as possible.
3. How has your journey so far at Microsoft been?
Ans: I have been in four distinct roles at Microsoft in past years. So, Microsoft has a lot to offer and supports your career. I consider myself blessed to get great managers who could see my zeal. Work-life balance is amazing, and it feels good to work there.
4. How was your journey in Georgia Institute of Technology?
Ans: GaTech journey was one hell of a ride. It gave me the right amount of exposure to newer technologies and the technical depth I was looking for. Learning from the people who are doing wonders in their field is an exceptional experience. Computer Vision was by far my favorite class.
5. Are there any expectations you had about this career path that you have found different from reality, in both a good or bad way?
Ans: Yes, this career path exceeded my expectations in a good way. I never wanted to be a computer engineer, somehow landed in the right place though. But I have found this career path to be acceptable and full of accessible opportunities for aware souls. I have seen people coming from diverse backgrounds and excelling in this field so well.
6. When and why did you decide to pursue higher education?
Ans: After hitting 2.5 years at Microsoft, I decided to pursue higher education to grow my technical expertise and get foreign exposure. My aim was clear that I want to remain in tech field and live in a different country to experience diversity/culture.
7. How did you manage to balance both college/work and preparation for admission exams to Georgia Institute of Technology?
Ans: Definitely, it takes effort to manage both at the same time. But I was firm on my vision about my career. I used to effectively manage my time after office and plan well.
8. What tips would you like to give your juniors who aim to pursue Masters in the future?
Ans: Prepare for exams like GRE, GMAT etc. in college time itself as they are valid for a longer time. You may not want to do MS/MBA at that point, but it is a worthwhile investment for opening future opportunities. Same goes for other exams like CAT, XAT etc.
9. How has your journey at IGDTUW shaped you into the person that you have grown into?
Ans: IGDTUW gave me the right direction and opportunities which helped me reach where I am today. Getting an internship and full time job in Microsoft from the campus changed my career journey altogether. Apart from that, undergraduate research projects helped me establish my interest in research.
10. Did you feel college prepared you for the workforce and the real world?
Ans: In a way, yes because it was the college which enabled me to apply for internships and then jobs. However, it depends on us to grab them and act right.
11. What advice would you like to give your juniors for handling rejections, stress and imposter syndrome and staying motivated.
Ans: Nobody has it sorted, so focus on the next step. I got the Microsoft Internship, after I failed the Expedia & Intuit internship opportunity. Then I didn’t get the Microsoft PPO. So, I prepared again for full time, failed Amazon then got Microsoft later. It’s never a straight path.
12. You must have had a memorable time at IGDTUW. Do you miss being a part of it? Share a few good memories.
Ans: I miss the pasta from the canteen and not so our “Stree-Shakti” food. Then our faculty, Jha sir, always pushed/motivated me to pursue MS.
13. What is your suggestion/guidance for your juniors?
Ans: Keep exploring and learning, otherwise you will never know what you want or good at