Agentic AI!
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What does being a member of Rewriting the Code mean to you?
We rewrite the code together and discuss what it means to be a woman in the technology space. I rewrote the code for myself, allowing me to leverage my technical background in a business setting by working on Python automation and development whenever feasible. I enjoy being part of a supportive community where we welcome everyone, build each other up, and celebrate wins together.
You finished your CS degree in two and a half years, with Summa Cum Laude and departmental honors. What kept you driven?
My return offer from J.P. Morgan Chase and admission to Georgia Tech’s Master’s program in Computer Science pushed me through. With the support of my family, friends, and peers, I was able to complete my degree. As a result, I gained resilience, grit, and discipline throughout my undergraduate education. I hope to continue the same in my work and master’s program.
You've tutored, mentored, instructed at a summer camp, and served on Pitt's Student Advisory Committee. What does it feel like to be on the giving end of support, especially as a student still building your own path?
I provided tutoring services to support over a thousand students and met incredible people through the mentorship programs at SCI UBelong and the Computer Science Club. The experiences were rewarding, engaging with such motivated and driven students who share a common interest in technology. Even when I instructed high school and middle school students, it had been a long time since I saw such bright students interested in computer science. These students were fast learners, and to give back to the Pittsburgh community was an honor to witness firsthand. I was nominated to serve on the student advisory committee. Knowing that our feedback and advice to the Office of the Provost on advising leadership about student success initiatives, such as improving student life and academic advising, was making an impact was an incredible opportunity to partake in during my last year at university.
Your capstone project used RAG and Python to build a backend chatbot in partnership with CGI. What was the moment in that project where it stopped feeling like coursework and started feeling like real work?
We were a team. Everyone learned new technologies during the capstone and helped each other out when we needed it most. We made sure to highlight each other’s strengths and weaknesses to learn from our mistakes and grow in the technical and soft skills for our project.
Your club list spans computing, South Asian culture, and gaming. What does that say about you that your resume doesn't?
My roles as a peer mentor for the Computer Science Club, recognition as a top active member for the Women in Computer Science Club, involvement in the programming committee for the South Asian Student Alliance, and leadership as a Business Manager for a gaming club showcase my interests in computing, culture, and gaming. The club involvement I listed here is a component of my identity that made my undergraduate experience versatile and unique. I put myself out there to be with communities I wanted to connect with, such as women in computer science, South Asians, and gamers who engaged with board games, trivia, or Minecraft at the time.
Graduating early with honors while staying deeply involved in your community says something about how you move through the world. What value or principle has quietly guided most of your decisions in college?
The mentorship programs at my university guided me in my degree journey. After being on the receiving end, I wanted to give back through the computing clubs and the School of Computing and Information. I have built lasting relationships from these programs, where I felt supported in the long run.
You moved fast through a demanding degree while staying plugged into a lot of communities. What did taking care of yourself actually look like during that time, and did it change as you went?
I took time to decompress by exploring new restaurants and the Nationality Rooms, and relaxing at on-campus recreational spaces whenever I had the chance. Over time, I learned to explore different study spaces to hang out with friends, span more of campus, and explore the museums Pittsburgh had to offer. Schenley Park was also a plus to hang out at during the early fall and mid-spring semesters.
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