Name:Sai Venkatesh Kurella

Internship, Co-op or Research Site:Collins Aerospace

Position Title:Software Engineering Intern

Major(s)/Minor(s):Computer Science

Current Class Level:Master’s Student

Work Term:Summer 2020

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

I had the pleasure of working for Collins Aerospace as a Software Engineering Intern for Summer 2020. During my internship, I was assigned to a team that works on building a new web application for Aircraft Cabin Services Management, tracking and value-added services. As an intern, it is really a great opportunity to be an integral part of the team. As the internship experience was remote due to the pandemic, it was a whole new dynamic to get started, communicate with the team and deliver the tasks. I was coordinating with my Team Lead, Scrum Master, Manager all through. After my orientation, I was assigned a few tasks/user stories.  I was responsible for development and delivery of software modules for desktop, mobile, tablet views. We had daily stand-up calls, weekly status meetings, retrospection meetings with teams in other countries to make sure everything is in place and discuss the strategies, seek feedback, changes. Also, I was involved in regular customer demonstrations, received and implemented customer directed changes, worked and collaborated across multi-national development teams. Apart from these, there were also fun activities, events to get to know more about the projects, technologies, and interact with fellow interns. This internship taught me new techniques and approaches.

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

I applied for the position through a careers website. A couple of weeks after applying for the position, a recruiter from the company reached out to me to set up a phone interview. After the phone interview, another interview was scheduled with Lead Developers and a Manager. There were two more interviews which included questions about programming and system design. After a week, a video conference was scheduled discussing further details. Within a week, I heard back from the recruiter through an email with an offer letter containing the details of the internship.

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

I was always amazed by the way Aircrafts work and I am glad that I could associate with an organization that works for Aircrafts. Given the current situations due to the pandemic, we have been working remotely and constantly connected via calls, video conferences. I really enjoyed learning, working on the latest technologies, learning about the avionics domain, communicating with team-members whom I have never met before in-person yet, working together as a team, and delivering the tasks. Communicating with the team has been very important in this setup to make sure everyone is on the same page. There were also weekly fun activities as well like Kahoot, Scribble games, Cohort programs, Quizzes, interactions with Senior Management, Talent shows, etc. which were really refreshing and insightful.

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

Starting as a remote intern and having never met any of the team members before, I believe gaining the trust of the team, bonding, communicating with the team has been crucial due to the remote work setup.  I had all the weight for making critical decisions for developing the application, so I had a liberty in how I chose to implement it as per the standards. As I see the application evolving and performing as expected, I get a sense for just how important my work really is. Accommodating the evolving requirements, learning and implementing new technologies  was challenging and rewarding.

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

My advice would be to keep a close watch on UMBCworks and other job portals that would help you find an internship or job opportunity. The Career Center is an incredibly helpful resource to improve your resume and strengthen your interview skills.

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Please see the latest updates on UMBC’s Retriever Ready website. Questions? Email covid19@umbc.edu.

COVID-19 Health & Safety

• UMBC’s Public Health Dashboard was updated with new data on November 18. The dashboard provides timely data about the prevalence of COVID-19 within our main campus. There were 14 new positive cases during this reporting period.

• Check out this important information from the CDC about masks and their role in the prevention of COVID-19 infection; please read and share with those you care about.

Reminder: Protect Yourself with a Seasonal Flu Shot

• University Health Services (UHS) has a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccines. Flu shots are available by appointment only at UHS on the ground floor of Erickson Hall for students, faculty, and staff approved to be on campus during the fall semester. Call UHS at 410-455-2542 to schedule your appointment before Thanksgiving. Remember that getting a flu vaccine has never been more important in protecting yourself and  our community.

• In addition, you can visit the UHS flu shot page for off-campus locations in the Catonsville-Arbutus area offering flu shots. Most health insurance plans will cover the cost of the flu shot; be sure to have your health insurance card with you. Remember to call ahead to ensure the location you plan to visit has vaccines available.

Women of Color Coping Circle

• The Counseling Center hosts a virtual Women of Color Coping Circle on Fridays at 

2 p.m. Information on the Friday, November 20 session is available here.

Brave Space Forum: Anti-Asian Violence and COVID-19

• The Women’s Center is hosting a Brave Space Forum: Anti-Asian Violence and COVID-19today, Thursday, November 19, at 4 p.m.

Mental Health Week Begins November 30

• University Health Services (UHS) will offer special events and resources during Mental Health Week, November 30 ﹘ December 4. These include a Mental Health Week Challenge and a drop-in session on Seasonal Depression and Stress. Follow the UHS myUMBC group for more information. 

Update on Campus Card and Mail Services Operations

• The Campus Card Office in the University Center will close for the year on November 25. Campus Card staff will continue to work remotely; all requests should be submitted via a Request Tracker ticket. 

• Mail Services will continue to operate from 8 a.m. ﹘ 12 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

UMBC Together

• Visit the UMBC Together website for recent social media posts and the UMBC Together myUMBC group for information on upcoming events.

Dear Colleagues,

This is the time of year to reflect and share our gratitude with others. UMBC's Maryland Charity Campaign is an ideal way to recognize the hard work that so many do to uplift our communities. Your campus coordinators are doing an incredible job helping each department understand the value and also how to navigate the process of donating to one of the many incredible nonprofits connected to the campaign. We wanted to take this opportunity to share some of the organizations that they are passionate about, in their own words. 

You can find a cause you are passionate about in the 2020 Giving Guide.

I give to LARS (Laurel Advocacy & Referral Svcs) Because they are doing amazing work helping families in need and they are doing it in my area. I feel empowered when I help those around me, as I believe it builds up the community. When you help smaller organizations near you, you create a domino effect that transcends to many other areas in your community.

Menchu Esteban, UMBC Campus Card

I have made my pledge to support The Samaritan Women based in Catonsville, Maryland where I volunteer because I feel passionate about stopping human sex trafficking and helping to restore the lives of the victims who have been severely damaged by this atrocious injustice.

Dawn Stoute, CNMS

I give to FreeState Justice because when my wife and I needed legal counsel, in order to set up protections for our family, they helped us and with the current issues facing the LGBTQ community, FreeState Justice's mission to combine direct legal services with education and outreach to ensure that the low-income LGBTQ community in Maryland receives fair treatment in the law and society is vital.

Erin McGonigle, '08, UMBC Bookstore

Mark your calendars for UMBC’s annual holiday celebration, which will be virtual this year, on December 16 at 3 p.m. As is our tradition, there will be a prize drawing for anyone who donates to the Maryland Charity Campaign. Please consider completing UMBC Together’s Grit and Gratitude Survey to help us prepare for the event. 

Thank you for considering participating in this year’s campaign and for all that you do to support the UMBC family.

Dana Burr Bradley and Christopher Steele 

2020 Maryland Charity Campaign Co-chairs