Name:Shouray Kumra

Internship, Co-op or Research Site:NewWave Telecom and Technologies Inc.

Position Title:Technical Intern II

Major(s)/Minor(s):Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Data Science

Current Class Level:Master's Student

Work Term: Summer 2020 to Spring 2021

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

My day-to-day responsibilities are based on Azure World, our company works closely with Microsoft, therefore, we make full use of Azure and other cloud services. My role is to be a specialist in Data Engineering Artificial Intelligence using Azure services so that we could offer services to our clients who are looking to switch to cloud based services. I work in a team of 5 where we each have designated responsibilities. Me and one of my team members built an automated Email system using cloud services like AI, Language Understanding, etc. It is published in Microsoft apps which goes by the name 'SmartMailAI'. Currently, our team is working on building a Search Service and will be out soon after the final phase completion. 

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

I started my job hunt journey in early December 2019 and it was late June 2020 until I had any luck. I applied for the position through Indeed. My application was promising and demanded flexibility. I heard back from the company after 20-25 days and was invited to have a virtual interview. The interview was for one hour in which I was interviewed by the VP of Engineering and Microsoft Solutions and the Data Science Head of the company. They were impressed by my resume as I had a publication which helped me to land a job there. I got help to polish my resume in a Resume Review through the Career Center, they corrected my resume and made minor changes. Finally, I used coding practice from 'Hacker Rank' and interview preparation from top 100 questions found on Google.

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

The most intriguing thing was that the company was patient with me as I did not have a background in Cloud. I was given time to learn about it as soon as I was handed over a project which required good knowledge about AI services in Azure. I was really excited to get my first project within the first month of my time there. My supervisor is very helpful and supportive which makes me comfortable and this pushes me to be more hardworking.

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

I successfully finished a project there and it was published as one of the Microsoft's Apps named 'SmartMailAI' which automates the Email process for an organization and helps them to answer thousands of mails within no time. Further, I have made some ads with the help of the creative team of an organization that will be soon published in Microsoft offerings which displays what our company is capable of in terms of AI and cognitive services. I designed the modules and services that will be provided to the customers who decide to take our services. Lastly, I am currently working in a team of 5 to build a search service like google but it offers more in terms of personal data and security. 

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

I would advise students to not lose hope and continue their job hunt. I had to try for 8 months before I landed my first job. First thing they should do is book an appointment with the Career Center for a Resume Review, which, in my opinion, is the most critical step as your resume should be flawless. Secondly, never skip a day practicing what you are studying or have on the resume because an organization can ask you unexpected questions from your resume; be thorough with the projects and publications you have on your resume.

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Key Points

• Wider vaccine access and new public health guidance allow us to prepare for a return to a vibrant campus community.

• Most courses will be offered face-to-face or in hybrid format during the Fall 2021 semester.

• Preparations are underway to reopen residence halls with occupancy up to 95 percent.

• Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to seek vaccination as soon as you become eligible.

Dear UMBC Community,

We are very pleased to share the good news that progress in COVID-19 vaccine access and new public health guidance about physical distancing now allow us to prepare for a Fall 2021 semester return to the vibrant campus and community life that we have all missed. We are planning for most courses and campus services to be offered face-to-face this fall.

We know that our students are especially eager to return to on-campus learning, residence halls, athletics, recreation, and other in-person activities. With the leadership of our COVID-19 Planning Coordinating Committee, faculty and staff across the University are working very hard to plan for a fall semester that offers these options with appropriate safety measures in place, as well as flexibility to meet diverse needs and individual health concerns. While detailed planning and risk assessments are still underway for some particular courses and activities, we can share these general updates:

• Most courses during the Fall 2021 semester will be in-person or hybrid, as reflected in the Schedule of Classes published today. Graduate student registration opens today, and undergraduate student registration begins Tuesday, March 30, 2021. We will continue to make additions to the Schedule of Classes over the coming months.

• We are preparing to reopen residence halls at up to 95 percent occupancy. Additional information is being shared with students this week.

• The fully renovated Retriever Activities Center will offer expanded recreation facilities including a track, cardio-training, weight-training, spinning, group exercise space, and basketball courts.

• Services for student well-being ﹘ including health, counseling, and spiritual resources, as well as student conduct and community standards ﹘ will reopen in a brand new facility adjacent to Erickson Field.

• Planning is underway for reopening other facilities and community spaces, including the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery, The Commons, performance spaces, and galleries.

• A full calendar of on-campus events open to both residential and off-campus students is being planned for fall.

While we look forward to a much more active on-campus community this fall, we also know that the pandemic is far from over and that the campus must remain vigilant and be prepared to modify our plans accordingly. We will continue to rigorously follow local, state, and federal public health guidance regarding such safety measures as testing, symptom tracking, mandatory mask wearing, hygiene, ventilation, physical distancing, and space occupancy. Supervisors and department chairs will work with faculty and staff on returning to work on the physical campus as appropriate.

Current public health guidance strongly suggests that as more students, faculty, and staff become vaccinated, the more we can expand in-person activities planned for the fall. The Governor has pledged that all individuals over the age of 16 will become eligible for vaccination in April 2021. We strongly encourage each of you to seek vaccination once you are eligible.

Public health conditions and plans are changing rapidly, and we understand that even good news can raise questions and concerns. We will continue to communicate frequently as more information about the Fall 2021 semester is available. In the meantime, please contact covid19@umbc.edu if you have immediate questions or concerns.

President Freeman Hrabowski

Provost Philip Rous