Name: Sairam Bokka

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Summer 2024

Major: Cybersecurity

Current Class Level: Master's Student

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Tenable Network Security

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

Title of position: Software Engineering Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
My focus during my time at Tenable was to develop a bot that can handle Technical Support and Customer queries about flagged CVEs and Advisory information. Based on the status of a package, the bot would reply to the Tech Support team with relevant information. As part of this project, I had to set up a Docker environment and start writing Python scripts with unit tests for each function I developed. At the end of my internship, I used Jenkins to automatically build the bot from source and deployed a bash script to automatically pull a new image after the build process was completed.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I was able to obtain this position through the BEYA Conference in February 2024. I met with the Talent Acquisition Manager at one of the Tenable booths and explained my qualifications and projects, highlighting the technologies I had used. She identified a position that was a great fit for my skills. I followed up with her on LinkedIn later and sent my resume. She then set up interviews with a Senior Software Developer and the Hiring Manager of the team I was going to join.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Career fairs, networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), LinkedIn, and other social media platforms.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
I enjoyed learning new things every day with the help of my mentor. He was supportive throughout my journey as an intern at Tenable. The HR team made the experience informative and fun through multiple networking events, listen-and-learns, and fun activities after office hours.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
My work significantly improved response times for common queries from customers and tech support engineers. The bot I developed was able to provide an instant response on Slack automatically when asked about a specific CVE. This eliminated the manual process in place, which required engineers to manually go through repositories to find a fix version for the CVE in question.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Start early, apply for positions that match your profile, and attend as many networking events as possible. The formula for success in today’s job market is Applications + Networking + Follow-ups. For help crafting your resume, cover letters, and general interview tips, make use of Career Center resources. They are professionals and your best allies during your job search.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
Continuous learning was an integral part of my work at Tenable. I was learning something new every day as part of my work. The hybrid work environment allowed me to meet my team in person two days a week, which helped me understand the project structure better and provide value in every sprint. The Career Center helped me craft the perfect resume for my internship, prepare for interviews, write cover letters, and improve my networking skills.

Mark your calendars! The upcoming Spring Career and Internship Fair is this Friday on Feb 7th! This is a unique opportunity for international students to connect with potential employers, exploring job opportunities, and leaving a lasting impression. However, attending these events successfully requires more than just showing up; it requires thoughtful preparation. 

To help you make the most of career fairs, here are some essential Do's and Don'ts that will set you up for success! Let's dive in! 

DO's

1. Research Employers in Advance- Prior to the fair, take the time to research the companies that will be present. Understand their industries, the positions they're hiring for, and whether they hire international students. This will allow you to tailor your conversations, show genuine interest and engage with recruiters in a meaningful way. You can find the list of employers on Handshake.

2. Prepare a strong Elevator Pitch! Have a concise, 30 second introduction ready that includes your name, major, relevant experiences, and career interests. Focus on what makes you a unique candidate. A well crafted elevator pitch will ensure you make a strong first impression.

3. Bring a well-formatted Resume- Ensure your resume is up-to- date, free from errors and professionally formatted. Print multiple copies (15-20 or even more!) to distribute to recruiters. Having a polished resume in hand is crucial for leaving a lasting impression after a conversation. Need more tips? Check it out HERE

4. Dress Professionally- Your appearance speaks volumes, so dress in business professional attire, such as a suit or blazer with dress pants or skirts. A polished look will help you convey that you are serious and ready to represent yourself in a professional setting. 

5. Practice Confidence and Body Language- Confidence is key. Maintain good eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and speak clearly. Strong body language can make a significant difference in how recruiters perceive you. 

6. Ask thoughtful Questions- Show genuine interest in the companies you speak with by asking insightful questions. Inquire about their company culture, projects, and their hiring process. This demonstrates that you're prepared and eager to learn more. 

7. Create a Digital Portfolio: If relevant to your field, have an online portfolio (for example GitHub for coding) to share when talking to employers. It shows you're proactive and tech-savvy.

8. Follow-Up with Employers- After the fair, always follow-up by sending a thank you email to the recruiters you spoke with. Ask for their business card. Reiterate your interest in their company and highlight specific points from your conversation. A well-written follow-up ensures you remain on their radar. Do don't forget to connect on LinkedIn! 

Bonus- Highlight your international experience. Your Global perspective is a strong asset, so highlight your language skills, cross- cultural communication, and international work or academic experience! Also make sure to upload your resume in Handshake so recruiters can locate you!

DONT's

1. Don't start off saying "I am international Student"- While being an international student is an important part of your identity, don't lead with it in your conversations. Instead, focus on highlighting your skills, experiences, and what you can bring to the table. Let your abilities take center stage.

2. Don't ask about Sponsorship right away- while visa sponsorship is a crucial factor, avoid making it the first question in your discussions with recruiters. Employers may be unfamiliar with these options, so be ready to focus on building rapport and getting to know the company's needs first, then ask about sponsorship if it becomes relevant during the interview stage. 

3. Don't arrive unprepared- Walking into a Career Fair without researching companies or lacking a clear idea of what you're looking for can give off an impression of disinterest. Prepare in advance by reviewing the companies attending and understanding what positions they offer. You can find the list of employers on Handshake.

4. Don't Hand out Generic Resumes- If possible, tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the companies you're targeting. A personalized resume shows that you've put thought into your application and can help you differentiate you from other candidates.

5. Don't Interrupt or dominate conversations- Be mindful of the recruiter's time. While it's great to engage in meaningful conversations, ensure your interaction are concise and respectful of the time as other students may be waiting. Strike a balance between showcasing your skills and listening actively. 

6. Don't be Afraid to Network with Peers- Other students at the Career Fair can be valuable resource. They may share insights from their own experiences or even introduce you to employers they've spoken with. Networking is not just about recruiters; it's about building connections with peers too. 

7. Don't Forget to Follow-Up- Not reaching out after the fair can result in missed opportunities. A thoughtful follow-up email can leave a positive and lasting impression ensuring that you stay on a recruiter's radar.

~Putting It All Together: Crating Your Elevator Pitch ~

When you introduce yourself to a recruiter, your elevator pitch should be ready to go. For example, you might say: 

"Hi, my name is [Your name], and I'm a [Your major] student here at UMBC. I am passionate about [specific field or expertise]. Through my experience in [mention a key skill, project or internship], I've developed strong [relevant technical or soft skills] that align well with roles in [specific industry or job function]. I'm particularly interested in [Company Name] because of its work in  [mention a relevant company initiative, value, or project]. I'd love to learn more about how I can contribute to your team and what opportunities you have available for someone with my background."

More Examples!

Final Thoughts and Tip Hack!

Remember, even if a recruiter doesn't have an immediate opening, the connections you make today may lead to future opportunities. The fair is a great chance to learn about industries and roles.  Stay proactive, keep refining your approach, and embrace each chance to grow professionally, and be patient.  You can now filter by CPT/OPT in Handshake to see the list of companies hiring awesome International Students like yourself! See you there! 

Believe it or not, it’s almost time for the Spring 2025 Career & Internship Fair on Friday, February 7, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Retriever Activities Center (RAC). This is the Career Center’s biggest event of the semester and we want to make sure that you feel adequately prepared. That’s why we’ve pulled together these tips that will be essential for your success.

1. Do Your Homework. We strongly suggest that you come to the fair knowing exactly who you want to talk to and where their booth is located. How do you find that information? By checking out the Career Fair Directory, and maybe even marking the location of your top employers on a hard copy or digital copy of the floorplan. Then, plan out your route so that you’re most efficient with your time. Consider visiting in-demand companies first if they have longer lines. Take a look at their current job openings to have a more focused conversation. And be ready to give them your best 30-second commercial.
   
   
2. Prep Your Materials. Once you know where to go at the fair, you need to make sure that your resume is updated and ready. Are all of your most recent and relevant experiences listed on your document, with bullet points that clearly state the impact you’ve made at that particular organization? Does your resume incorporate industry keywords that demonstrate your alignment with job posts of interest? If you need help, come to our drop-in hours at the Center. We’ll help you determine the skills and accomplishments that should be highlighted to help you stand out.
   
   
3. Leverage Handshake. In addition to the Career Fair Directory, you can review a list of employers on Handshake as well. New this semester, we’re adding a QR code to every employer table so you can check-in and your information is captured by the company. This will get you connected to the company more easily and allow you to more properly follow up after the fair (more on that below). You can also upload your most recent resume onto Handshake at the fair (so have your resume on your device) or prior to the fair so the company has that information readily available as well. Be sure that your Handshake profile is complete ahead of time and consider setting your profile to public.
   
   
4. Follow Up Post Fair. According to our latest UMBC Careers Unleashed podcast episode on Stress-Free Networking, you don’t need to worry about having little face time with employers at events like career fairs because it’s all about the follow up. What does this mean? You need to be intentional with how to (re)connect with the professionals you met at the fair. Send them a message or email reminding them of the context of your conversation. Don’t say something like, “you probably don’t remember me” because that’s presumptuous. Just thank them for the time you had at the fair and ask for another brief meeting or phone call to ask a few more questions. If you were unable to get their contact info at the fair, search for them on LinkedIn or Handshake and reach out from there.
   
   

With these essential tips, you’ll hopefully be fully prepared and ready to make connections at the Spring Internship & Career Fair. Best of luck, and we’ll see you at the RAC on February 7.