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Name:
Akhil Kanukula

Pronouns:
He/Him

Semester of Internship:
Fall 2024

Major:
Data Science

Current Class Level:
Master's Student

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

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):
Ardent Privacy

Location of the Organization (City, State):
Baltimore, MD

Title of position:
Software Engineering Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship as a Front-End Developer at Ardent Privacy in bwtech, I was responsible for developing and enhancing web application features to meet the organization’s business requirements. My primary focus was on front-end development using Angular, where I worked to ensure seamless integration and user-friendly interfaces. One of my key projects was developing the DSR feature, which enables users to access, modify, or delete their personal data in compliance with data privacy regulations. This involved designing effective UI components, implementing responsive layouts, and ensuring secure communication between the front-end and backend services. We utilized Node.js for server-side logic and Cockroach DB for handling database interactions. My day-to-day responsibilities included writing clean and maintainable code, participating in code reviews, debugging issues, and collaborating in daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress and address challenges. This experience significantly enhanced my skills in front-end web development, problem-solving, and working in an agile development environment.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I learned about the Software Engineering intern position at Ardent Privacy during the UMBC on-campus career fair held in September 2024. At the event, I had an engaging conversation with the company leads, where I expressed my interest in their work and shared my resume for the available positions. Following this interaction, I was invited to an on-site technical interview at bwtech, which went well and allowed me to demonstrate my problem-solving skills and technical knowledge. After successfully completing the technical round, I was asked to attend a discussion with the CEO and founder of the company. This conversation was insightful and further solidified my interest in joining the team. Although I did not have extensive prior experience in Angular-based web development at the time, the company appreciated my enthusiasm and willingness to learn, ultimately offering me the opportunity to contribute and grow through hands-on experience during the internship.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.)

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I enjoyed most about my position at Ardent Privacy was the supportive work environment and the organization’s strong emphasis on continuous learning. The encouragement to explore new technologies and enhance my skills made the internship both rewarding and enriching. I especially appreciated the opportunity to learn something new every day with the guidance of my mentor, who was consistently supportive throughout my journey. His constructive feedback and willingness to help not only boosted my confidence but also played a significant role in my professional growth during the internship.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
I believe I made a significant impact through my work at Ardent Privacy by contributing to the development and enhancement of web features aligned with client requirements. The frontend components I developed improved the overall user experience and interface for the web application. Additionally, the enhancements I made to the existing codebase after discussions with the mentors not only optimized performance but also improved code maintainability and readability.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
I encourage fellow students to actively engage with seniors and participate in networking events to broaden their professional connections. Building relationships with peers who have industry experience can provide valuable insights and guidance. I also highly recommend seeking early resume reviews to refine and tailor your resume before applying, as presenting yourself effectively is crucial in securing internships. Additionally, taking advantage of the numerous conferences, career fairs, and networking events organized by the UMBC Career Center can significantly enhance your chances of landing internship opportunities. Being proactive in LinkedIn and Handshake like platforms might help a lot.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
I truly appreciated the supportive work environment at Ardent Privacy and the chance to learn new skills under the guidance of my mentor. The UMBC Career Center played a significant role in my journey by providing helpful resume reviews and hosting career fairs, which helped me to grab the internship opportunity.