Reposted from UMBC News: https://umbc.edu/quick-posts/umbc-delegates-conference-in-india/

Photo credit: The UMBC team of (left to right) Ramana Vinjamuri, Anupam Joshi, Upal Ghosh, Karuna Pande Joshi, Govind Rao, and David Di Maria at the PIWOT conference. (Photo courtesy of Karuna Joshi)

A six-person UMBC team built international connections at the “PIWOT – World of Technology” conference, held in late January in Mumbai, India. The conference is organized by the alumni association for graduates of the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and attracts many of the leaders in science and technology in India and around the world. The CEO of Alphabet, Inc. (Google’s parent company), the co-founder of Sun Microsystems, and the CEO of IBM are all graduates of IITs. 

UMBC was represented at the conference by Anupam Joshi, acting dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology; Upal Ghosh, professor in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; Ramana Vinjamuri, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and director of the NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center; Govind Rao, director of the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology and professor in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering; Karuna Pande Joshi, professor in the Department of Information Systems and director of the NSF IUCRC Center for Accelerated Real Time Analytics; and David Di Maria, senior international officer and associate vice provost for international education at UMBC. 

Dean Joshi spoke at the conference about the impact of technology on education. (Photo courtesy of Govind Rao)

The UMBC team staffed a well-trafficked booth in the Expo Hall. As an extension of the meeting, they also visited IITs at Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Tirupati, and met with the directors of these institutions to discuss institutional agreements and lay the groundwork for international faculty and student exchanges. 

This year’s PIWOT conference focused on the impact of technology across multiple dimensions of life, from the professional to the personal. Dean Joshi took part as a speaker on a panel about the impact of technology on education. The UMBC booth also displayed the low-cost infant incubator developed by Professor Govind Rao

The UMBC booth displayed the low-cost infant incubator developed by Professor Govind Rao. (Photo courtesy of Karuna Joshi)

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Internships in the tech industry are highly competitive, but with the right search strategy, you can secure an opportunity that will set you up for future success. Whether you're interested in software development, cybersecurity, data science, IT, or others, here are some key steps to help you land a tech internship.

1. Build a Strong Resume and Portfolio

Tech employers seek candidates with relevant skills and experience. Highlight coursework, personal projects, hackathons, or freelance work that demonstrate your technical abilities. If you’re in software development, create a GitHub profile showcasing your code, add the link to the top with your contact information, and reference aspects of your GitHub throughout your resume. For UI/UX roles, build a portfolio website with your designs and write a narrative about how you completed projects from start to finish.

2. Gain Hands-On Experience

Practical experience is crucial to land a tech internship. If you have yet to land something formalized, consider working on open-source projects, participating in coding competitions, or taking on freelance work. Many companies also offer virtual internships and apprenticeships to help students build experience before applying for formal internships. You can also consider checking out sites like Parker Dewey and Forage. 

3. Network with Industry Professionals

Networking plays a huge role in landing tech internships, as you’re 10x more likely to get a job from a referral vs. a cold application. Attend career fairs, tech meetups, and industry conferences to connect with recruiters and professionals in your field. Engage with alumni on Retrievers Connect and LinkedIn, and join student chapters of professional organizations like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). You can also find professional associations that are relevant to your interests through our Majors Resources page.

4. Apply Early and Strategically

Many tech companies recruit interns months in advance, so it’s wise to start your search earlier than you may think. For example, you can start searching for a summer internship in the fall semester. To help with this process, first go to Handshake to and review its internship postings. Then, you can also use platforms like Steppingblocks, LinkedIn, and company career pages to find openings. Tailor your applications by incorporating keywords and industry jargon to your materials, emphasizing relevant skills and quantifying achievements.

5. Prepare for Both Technical and Traditional Interviews

Most tech internships require technical assessments or coding interviews. Practice with platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal, which have free options for students and junior developers. Review common data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques to improve your chances of success. For more traditional interviews you want to make sure you’re prepared to answer questions about yourself, your work, and the role. Practice your responses using Big Interview, or schedule an Interview Prep or Practice Interview appointment with the Career Center.

Time to Take the Next Step

As previously mentioned, one of the best ways to find a tech internship is by attending networking and hiring events. The Maryland Technology Internship Program 2025 Hiring Event is an excellent opportunity to connect with Maryland-based tech employers. There are also opportunities to meet with UMBC alumni in Data Science and Health Information Technology, as well as our Technology and Engineering Industry Fair as part of Career Month in April. Register now for these events to meet with professionals in tech and increase your chances of securing an internship. You got this!

Name:Gayatri Priya Mellacheruvu

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Fall 2024

Major: MPS Data Science

Current Class Level: Graduate

This semester I completed a(n)...:Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):Datafy Systems

Location of the Organization (City, State): Columbia, Maryland

Title of position:Data Analytics Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

During my internship as a Data Analyst at DataFy Systems, I gained hands-on experience in various aspects of data infrastructure and application development. My daily responsibilities included debugging and making code changes on GitHub, testing both web and mobile applications, and suggesting improvements using Trello. I contributed to enhancing the functionality and interface of the company website, ensuring a better user experience. Additionally, I automated backend database refresh processes with shell scripts, optimized SQL queries for efficient data retrieval, and streamlined the generation of sales reports to support decision-making.

I also analyzed the database integration pipeline, connecting backend systems with frontend applications, and identified key KPIs in inventory and delivery modules to provide actionable business insights. This experience allowed me to improve my technical skills, collaborate with a talented team, and develop solutions that added value to the organization. It was a rewarding opportunity that equipped me with the skills and confidence to excel in the field of data analytics.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I first came across the job posting on Handshake and decided to apply through the platform at the beginning of September. After submitting my application, I was invited for an interview, which I completed successfully. By mid-September, I was thrilled to receive an offer for the position, marking the start of an exciting opportunity.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Handshake

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I’ve enjoyed most about my position at DataFy Systems is the opportunity to work on impactful projects that directly contribute to the organization’s goals. Being able to debug code, suggest improvements, and optimize backend processes has been both challenging and rewarding. I particularly appreciated the collaborative work environment, where feedback and ideas were valued, whether through Trello discussions or hands-on development.

The organization’s culture of mentorship stood out as a highlight. Learning from experienced professionals like Sumit Khaneja was invaluable, as they provided guidance and insights that helped me grow both technically and professionally. Additionally, I enjoyed the chance to test and improve applications, contribute to interface enhancements, and see the direct impact of my work on user experience and business outcomes. This combination of technical growth and a supportive team environment made the experience truly enriching.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe I made a meaningful impact during my time at DataFy Systems by contributing to projects that enhanced both operational efficiency and user experience. By automating backend database refresh processes and optimizing SQL queries, I helped improve the speed and reliability of data retrieval, enabling smoother operations. My work on debugging and making code changes on GitHub, as well as testing applications and suggesting improvements through Trello, directly enhanced the functionality and quality of the apps.

Additionally, my efforts in improving the website interface created a more user-friendly experience, while automating sales report generation and streamlined data-driven decision-making for the team. By identifying key KPIs in inventory and delivery modules, I provided actionable insights that supported business strategies. Overall, my contributions not only added value to ongoing projects but also helped optimize processes and deliver better results for the organization.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

If you’re looking for an internship, start by using platforms like Handshake and LinkedIn, and check out your school’s career services. Find positions that match your skills and interests, and make sure your resume and cover letter highlight your strengths and relevant experiences.

Before your interview, research the company and practice answering common questions. Be ready to talk about your skills, how you solve problems, and your eagerness to learn.

Once you land the internship, don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek feedback, and take on tasks beyond your role. Building good relationships with your team and mentors can help you learn more and grow professionally.

Most importantly, stay open to new challenges and opportunities. 

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

I really enjoyed the chance to apply my skills to real-world projects and see the impact of my work. The Career Center’s resources and guidance made the application process smoother and helped me feel prepared every step of the way

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Enjoy lunch with fellow UMBC commuters and connect with on-campus resources! There’s no better way to spend your afternoon! 

Join us for Good Afternoon Commuters (GAC) on Tuesday from 12 PM to 2 PM in UC 312. Lunch is complimentary with your Commuter Gold Card.

Gold Cards are a one-time per academic year purchase and are available to be purchased at every GMC with cash only.

Gold Cards at $5 for Commuters
$10 for Residential & Graduate Students

**if you purchased a Gold Card in Fall 2024 then it is still valid!