How did Purav Parekh transform from International student to NIST professional? Discover the twists and turns of his American journey, from GWU halls to cutting-edge research."
Guest: Purav Parekh, Full Stack Engineer, NIST
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/purav-parekh/
Website | https://purav-parekh.com/
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Host: Saman Fatima
On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/saman-fatima
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Episode Description
Are you from India? Wishing to come to the USA for your studies? Is your dream university - George Washington University? If yes, grab a pen, paper, and water, and you are all good to know everything. From researching the dream university to getting selected and beating the elephant in the room (i.e. the VISA process) to settling up - you need to know EVERYTHING because, at the end of the day, it is a foreign land with a lot of newness, loneliness, and self-dependency.
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Resources
Join the BBWIC Foundation Community: https://www.bbwic.com/
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For more podcast stories from Off The Record With Saman: https://www.itspmagazine.com/off-the-record-with-saman-student-abroad-podcast
Watch the video version on-demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0954PDs3hFI&list=PLnYu0psdcllS96iavkI5nQsErJ3795ow6
GWU to NIST: Purav Parekh's American Quest - An International Student's Path from D.C. to Maryland, Navigating Academia and Professional Success | Off the Record with Saman — Student Abroad Podcast
17:16:41 Hi, everyone! We're back again with another episode of off the record with me, someone on itspad.
17:16:49 So so far we've done a lot of people, you know. We it, masters, be it doctorate. And then we've traversed through different universities. And now back to the eastern side again.
17:17:01 And we have another guest today from George Washington University. So that's 1 university. I really have heard a lot about it, and I stumbled upon.
17:17:12 And we will be talking a lot about the university. The program he did, the current job he has, and all sorts of.
17:17:21 Prepped up with him on a lot of things that could help us.
17:17:25 To go through and be part of that university. So Hi, welcome to the podcast we're so glad to have you and listen to your experiences as a graduate student with George Washington University.
17:17:40 Hi, Simon! And Hi, everyone 1st of all. Thank you so much for.
17:17:44 Inviting me to the. To this podcast and sharing my experiences with coming to the.
17:17:49 Coming to the United States and.
17:17:51 Doing. My master's here.
17:17:53 And.
17:17:54 I hope.
17:17:55 I hope my experience also.
17:17:57 Helps others, and makes it easier for them as well to come. Your.
17:18:02 It, it will, it will, so.
17:18:04 We should not wait much. Let's just talk about more, you know.
17:18:09 When did you come here? Where did you come from? And what is your current job role, your organization? And where are you right now, so let our audience know more about you.
17:18:21 Yeah, so.
17:18:22 My name is Paula Parik, and I'm I.
17:18:26 Come. I came from Bangalore, India.
17:18:29 I finish my undergrad in PS. University again in Bangalore.
17:18:33 So I have a, I did a dual degree. I have a major in mechanical engineering with a minor and computer science.
17:18:41 And then
17:18:43 I, I finished my master's from the George Washington University in Computer Science.
17:18:48 And I'm currently working with the National Institute of Standards and technology as a software engineer.
17:18:54 In meeting in Maryland. So on the very close to Washington, DC.
17:19:00 That's great. And the very humorous part here is that the minor course became a major course in the Master's degree, like when we see from the undergrad to the masters.
17:19:11 So some, somehow, something went great with computer science that the masters was picked up in computer science so welcome to the community of commute.
17:19:19 Thank you. Yeah. So that's 1 actually.
17:19:23 I, my.
17:19:25 Interest for computer science started.
17:19:28 So I was very much interested in cars and all of that. But when I did come to signs, mine, that's been like, okay, this is more fun.
17:19:37 And that's when I.
17:19:39 Shifted my focus to computer science. And now we are.
17:19:44 That's amazing. Like, I totally understand, there's a lot of pros and cons to computer science.
17:19:50 So thanks again, and I know moving from Washington to Maryland would have been a big change. But we'll see how things were there during your student years.
17:20:03 So. 1st of all, when we, you know, hit here with the 1st question is, why George Washington University, I know. When we come up as an international students, we as Indians like, or we like international students like which college to go. For you know, a lot of factors come into picture like fees like city, like.
17:20:29 Whether how close your friends you can find there to that particular area and a lot of other things, the curriculum and everything. So what was your key? Factors of choosing George Washington University? And then we'll come up to the course as well like. Why, that course.
17:20:45 Yeah. So.
17:20:48 When I was looking for universities back in 2019.
17:20:54 George Washington University was not a very.
17:20:56 Well-known university. It was, you know, one of those universities which is very good, but hidden from the Indian students. So that was what it was.
17:21:05 One advantage is George Washington University is that it has a very small class size.
17:21:10 So they don't take a lot of students.
17:21:14 Back. Then, when I was looking for universities, there are very small class size. So that is actually beneficial, because you.
17:21:21 The professors become more easily accessible.
17:21:25 You can talk to them. You can email them personally, and they also.
17:21:28 Because they have. They are teaching small class size. They also remember you. And you know, they know that. Okay.
17:21:33 Student is in my class.
17:21:35 Because that was one big reason why I chose that university.
17:21:39 Second was
17:21:42 I.
17:21:44 Used to attend a lot of international university back in Bangalore.
17:21:47 And
17:21:48 I came across John Washington University during one of those.
17:21:52 And once I spoke to them. Then I went on their websites
17:21:57 Research about the University, and George Washington University was one of the most responsive universities.
17:22:04 So they used to respond to my questions, queries.
17:22:06 So that was also a good.
17:22:10 Thing about the university, so that, you know they are actually looking at.
17:22:13 Students and the prospective students.
17:22:16 So that was another benefit, and of course the 3rd one was the course and the flexibility that they had with choosing of the subjects that I wanted.
17:22:25 So that these were the main 3 reasons.
17:22:28 That I chose George Washington University, and one more reason that.
17:22:32 Help me, decide finally.
17:22:34 George Washington was because I received a scholarship.
17:22:37 So that I'll use my expenses quite a lot. So.
17:22:41 That also helped.
17:22:42 It's case, yeah.
17:22:48 Yes.
17:22:43 I know that that just creates a major 50 bent toward that university. It would have that finance, financial help from that particular university. I can say it from personal like experience. That's 1 thing that I got from my university as well.
17:23:00 So you know, those were really good pointers. And actually I wanted to take a moment for the audience as well that so far in these episodes we've actually talked about, you know, networking and being part of different you know events, webinars and etc, where you know a lot about the university. And this is one good example that I wanted to like highlight here with you being in India.
17:23:23 But still attended a lot of international university as well, where you were able to know a lot of universities. So I suppose this is one thing that a lot of folks from India or any other country could do it as well. If it matches with your time zone to go ahead and network and know more about these universities, so that if in future you plan to you still have, like a 1 0 experience being part of such fairs.
17:23:48 More about it. So that's 1 thing that I wanted to highlight. Thank you so much for sharing that.
17:23:53 And you know, since we touched upon that scholarship part.
17:23:57 So before going on to that scholarship thing, I really wanted to understand from my audience that what was the application process that looked like for George Washington. University. What are the different steps that you took to submit that application process and.
17:24:15 Yeah, so join Washington universities.
17:24:18 Application process is pretty much similar to all the other universities.
17:24:21 So they require one sop.
17:24:24 3. Las.
17:24:27 And yeah, and they have.
17:24:29 A very good website where you can go. Fill out the form, put in your details.
17:24:34 Upload your credit cards and markets.
17:24:37 So they don't really want you to upload.
17:24:41 The actual official ones, while applying.
17:24:44 So they can. They're okay with the official transcripts.
17:24:47 So so these 3 things are the main things.
17:24:50 And.
17:24:53 Yeah. So one more thing that you, I think.
17:24:57 Lot of students don't know about.
17:24:59 Is that before applying to any university, you can email the University's Admission Office.
17:25:04 And ask for an application. Fee, waiver.
17:25:06 So a lot of universities respond back. And actually, they give a code that.
17:25:11 Manage your application fee. So that's what happened with me, with Gw. As well.
17:25:15 And a lot of other universities that applied to as well. So that's you know.
17:25:30 Yes.
17:25:17 Nice. I I wasn't. Yeah. I wasn't aware of this thing like this is for the 1st time I'm hearing. But that's great, like, you know, per application. It's like something like 78. Your Max, like 90 or $100, something under 100.
17:25:32 Somewhere. It's $50 somewhere. It's 60 70. But waving that off is also a big thing like, because sitting back in India, when you're not in the same currency. It just feels a lot like that application.
17:25:45 Yes.
17:25:46 Yes.
17:25:46 That's great sharing that.
17:25:48 Yeah, that's so that's 1 thing that I did.
17:25:51 Out of the 10 universities that I applied, I think, 5 to 6 of them gave me.
17:25:57 Application, fee, waivers.
17:25:58 So that really helped my case, and Gw. Was.
17:26:14 Actually at the top.
17:26:02 Nice. Nice, that's amazing. That's really amazing. And I wasn't aware. So maybe a lot of people may not be aware of it. So go ahead and email, it's like, just a little, ask that doesn't harms you. And if it helps you, yeah, there's no harm. And anyways you will pay it, and if it doesn't like, it works best.
17:26:20 Yes.
17:26:21 So
17:26:22 So, you know, obviously, I wanted to put out a word here like you can check the current process like the application process with, it's more of back in 2,019. It's been 5 years.
17:26:34 So may have been updated or.
17:26:37 That that he's a lot right.
17:26:41 So. Yeah, but you know we're all very proud of you, you know.
17:26:45 Back in like 2,019, 5 years back he was a student, and now you know.
17:26:50 Best background that we could see it, you know, working with NIST.
17:26:38 Problem.
17:26:59 Thank you.
17:26:55 That's like a great, great achievement for me. It is. So. It's yeah.
17:26:59 So just I was saying, like, you can check the application process again. If anything has changed.
17:27:05 The website would be.
17:27:07 You know, easily accessible, and if not, I guess college advisors and everything would be listed there for you to. You know know more about.
17:27:16 But
17:27:17 One. I would like to add one thing here.
17:27:19 So
17:27:21 Sometimes, even if you cannot reach out to the college advisors.
17:27:25 There are a lot of student ambassadors that the University has.
17:27:30 So I was actually one of them. So.
17:27:33 What you can. We can talk about this later. But as we are talking on the admission process.
17:27:38 They do have a web page where all the.
17:27:41 Student ambassadors are listed.
17:27:43 You can directly chat with them by just clicking a button, so that the message directly goes to them.
17:27:48 And it's a simple app that you use on the phone like Whatsapp.
17:27:53 Not Whatsapp, but similar to Whatsapp.
17:27:54 So.
17:27:56 The ambassadors get the notification immediately, and they can respond to you on the fly.
17:28:00 So that also gives a lot of inputs into the admission process and a lot of other things. With respect to Gw.
17:28:09 Oh, that's amazing! That's like a great help, like more of like current or alumni batch is actually like serving as ambassadors, and could help you anytime anywhere.
17:28:22 Oh!
17:28:20 Yeah, I think it's more of the current students who are currently in Gw.
17:28:25 And yeah, one more thing to note is that this is only for the school of engineering.
17:28:29 I'm not sure if they also have the school of business of the law School or the medical school.
17:28:35 But they definitely have this for the school of Engineering.
17:28:44 Yes.
17:28:38 Okay, school of engineering. Pay attention. And obviously, we'll talk in lens about the student ambassador thing. How can you become one? And how are you helping the new folks? We will talk about it in the later section of the podcast.
17:28:53 Coming back to the course like, I know you just mentioned that there were 10 universities that you applied to along with George Washington. So.
17:29:03 What is something like that stood out for you for this curriculum that you did with Gw. Like what really stood out for you, that you chose this.
17:29:14 So in gw, to finish your degree you need to earn 30 credits.
17:29:18 So that's 10 subjects across.
17:29:22 3 or 4 semesters, depending on what you want to.
17:29:26 Out of that only 3 courses were mandatory.
17:29:30 And if if you are from your company's background, then you can also actually get a waiver on 2 of those courses.
17:29:37 But as I was not from a computer science background, I had to do all the 3 courses.
17:29:42 And the rest 7 courses. I could choose.
17:29:46 Whatever course that I want.
17:29:48 And another benefit is that you can choose 2 courses outside of the Computer Science Department itself.
17:29:53 So if you want to do courses in the business goal, you could do.
17:29:57 Or if you want to do
17:29:59 Courses in the art school. You can also do that.
17:30:01 So that was another. You.
17:30:03 Big advantage that I felt would help me.
17:30:07 So.
17:30:08 That's why I chose. And also they have a lot of courses.
17:30:12 Because they have a lot of relevant courses.
17:30:15 So that's also another beneficial.
17:30:18 Benefit for Gw.
17:30:24 Yes.
17:30:20 Oh, that's nice, like it was more of gives you a lot of flexibility to choose your courses. And obviously, if you had.
17:30:28 A commuter's background. You could have, like skipped couple of subjects as well.
17:30:32 Yes, that's true. Yeah.
17:30:34 Well, that's great. And when we talk about like in the terms of.
17:30:41 Is it like just a fall degree or a like? Is it like a fall intake or a spring intake? Or it's both, or it's just one season intake like for your particular degree.
17:30:53 No! So there are. There is fall, intake, and also spring intake as well.
17:30:58 Okay, and.
17:30:58 They ask you.
17:30:59 Yeah, there are certain courses that are only
17:31:02 You know, offered in the Sol.
17:31:04 And there are certain courses offered only in the spring.
17:31:07 Okay.
17:31:08 So you need to.
17:31:10 Yeah.
17:31:08 So you have to decide like when to take those subjects and when to take the spring ones, and when to take the fall ones got it.
17:31:17 Got it? Yeah.
17:31:17 Okay. So like, it's like a good thing that people can come up in fall and spring as well. So you know, intakes are both the ends. Okay.
17:31:25 Yes.
17:31:26 So we talked about you know the curriculum and everything. But I just wanted to understand on the scholarship. So I will talk in more detail on the finances part. So I understand you got the scholarship. So if you can walk us through, you know, if he is, exclude that scholarship? Or how did you actually apply for that scholarship? Is it like given to all international students or.
17:31:51 Apply it separately. And then how? How was the bifurcation of the finances like? How much of your pockets? And if there was a stipend or cpt like. Sorry your tr is involved. What was all those things.
17:32:06 Yep.
17:32:07 So.
17:32:08 1st thing that all of the all of us should know that Gw. Comparatively is an expensive school.
17:32:15 So there are certain reasons for it, because it's in Washington, DC. It's a private funded university.
17:32:21 But.
17:32:23 Despite being an expensive school, they also offer a lot of scholarships.
17:32:27 And one very good thing about Gw. Is that you do not.
17:32:30 Have to apply for any scholarship separately.
17:32:33 So, if you apply to your.
17:32:35 Apply for admission, then you are considered for.
17:32:39 The Scholarship.
17:32:41 Yeah. So when they give out the admission decisions.
17:32:45 In the offer letter is when they specify. When they mentioned that you know whether you have been off. Given a scholarship or not.
17:32:53 They usually give you 25% or up to 50% scholarship.
17:32:58 On the entire course.
17:32:59 So that's like, basically when you, when you mentioned about the application process, you mentioned that they take like the unofficial transcripts as well, that's basically deciding the merit of 25. Or you get 50 scholarship depending on your profile.
17:33:21 What?
17:33:17 Yes, not just the transcripts, but also the sops and the los, and also, of course, the resume as well.
17:33:23 Okay.
17:33:24 Yeah.
17:33:25 Is it coming?
17:33:24 So like, it's like full collection of it. Okay.
17:33:28 And one thing that I know about is that all these applications actually go to the professors.
17:33:33 In the computer Science Department.
17:33:36 And they are the ones who look at your profile.
17:33:43 Yes.
17:33:41 Let's say a future professors are actually done.
17:33:44 Yes. Yeah. So.
17:33:46 So first, st how the process works is that 1st Admin team makes sure that you're eligible for admission.
17:33:54 If you have submitted all the documents, if you are eligible.
17:33:57 And then they are the.
17:34:01 Applications are passed on to the professors.
17:34:04 And then they are the ones who review it, and then.
17:34:07 Give out the decisions.
17:34:10 Okay. So it's basically like, whatever your entire application is just judging you, how much call should you get.
17:34:17 Exactly. Yes.
17:34:18 Like, do you have any idea like? Do they have like anything of that sort that.
17:34:24 Everyone will get scholarship like every international student would get it. Or it's like there are rules that maybe few international students may not get it because of the profiles or anything.
17:34:37 So in my batch. Not all of them had got scholarships.
17:34:40 Some of them had got 25%. Some of them are called 50%.
17:34:46 Okay.
17:34:45 But not everyone has a scholarship.
17:34:47 Got it. So it's basically how your profile is standing out in front of the professors, and then they are.
17:34:54 You know, putting on the judgment.
17:35:00 Yes, I think so.
17:35:03 Yes.
17:34:56 Got it. So you know, you'll you need to have like a strong profile for George Washington. It's like full all rounder, and you get okay. So if we consider the scholarship amount then, how did you like manage your tuition fees and everything else? Considering staying in Washington and being part of that university.
17:35:19 So.
17:35:21 Initially. When, before I came to the university, I plan to pay off my tuition with a student loan.
17:35:27 So I took a student loan with Hgfc. Credula.
17:35:31 And then once I came here. So that was the loan amount was
17:35:39 Excluding the scholarship.
17:35:40 So after.
17:35:41 Okay.
17:35:42 After the scholarship, how much amount is left.
17:35:45 I took a loan for that amount.
17:35:47 That's that's, I guess my decision. Actually, yeah.
17:35:50 Yeah.
17:35:51 So that was one thing and another. One thing that I actually did was I did not ask the bank to disperse my entire amount at once.
17:35:59 I asked them to do it in batches, so that I don't incur.
17:36:02 The entire interest rate from the beginning itself.
17:36:05 So.
17:36:05 That that's Marty's value.
17:36:07 Yeah, so that is another thing that.
17:36:10 Students can actually request them to do it.
17:36:13 And yeah. So what I did was I just asked them to.
17:36:18 Disperse my.
17:36:19 50% of the.
17:36:21 Amount.
17:36:23 That. That helped me cover. I think.
17:36:26 1st year of my expenses.
17:36:28 And expenses were only tuition, fee.
17:36:31 Yeah, the tuition fee or the association fees, and all of that.
17:36:36 The moving, your and the initial expenses that you need to set up your house and up.
17:36:41 But.
17:36:42 Yeah, yeah.
17:36:43 Yeah. So that was so. That was a loan. And as soon as I came here, before, even before I came here, actually.
17:36:50 Gw. Has a very good on campus job portal.
17:36:55 Where students can go on and start applying for jobs for employment.
17:37:00 And they can actually have a job before even they step into the Us.
17:37:04 So that's a very good thing with Gw. They have an employment portal for students.
17:37:10 A lot of my friends. Actually, you and I did not know about this employment portal until very late around August.
17:37:16 It's not thing around. End of July.
17:37:19 So if you start applying early, then you that chances of you getting a job becomes very high.
17:37:26 Got it, got it. So there's nothing like that. You get like a T and position along with the you need to apply for it through the portal.
17:37:35 Yes, so for tears and rs, how it works is so a lot of this process for.
17:37:42 Our batch was little different than how it would be now, because.
17:37:46 Our batch was the 1st batch after Covid.
17:37:49 Okay.
17:37:50 So we were the 1st batch to start on campus after Covid. So a lot of things were still, you know, a little here and there even the professors are figuring it out.
17:37:58 Because the campus had just opened.
17:38:01 Okay.
17:38:02 Yeah, so what?
17:38:04 What we. What I did was I was suggested by someone that you know email, the professors.
17:38:10 After you get your admin.
17:38:13 I started reaching out to them, saying that you know you're interested in Re, or you're interested in ta.
17:38:18 And you can also become a grading assistant like.
17:38:21 You don't have to teach anything, but you can just grade papers.
17:38:26 So there are 3. Yeah.
17:38:26 Okay, yeah, that's that's the PA thing. Yeah, you make papers, make assignments, and.
17:38:33 Check them.
17:38:34 Yes, yeah, you don't.
17:38:36 So back in Arabic, I think.
17:38:41 T. As in Gs work differently.
17:38:45 Yes. Yeah.
17:38:50 This is yes.
17:38:54 On getting.
17:38:42 Yeah, it may differ from college to college, like the professor, want you to be more of like the research thing where you work, and ta and ga like. I don't know what is ga like. Is it graduate.
17:38:55 Grading assistant.
17:38:58 Yeah.
17:38:57 Oh, it's totally different. Okay.
17:39:09 Okay.
17:39:00 So for us like I guess me being a ta, I was making the papers. I was making the assignment papers, and then I was the one who was checking it as well, so that plugged everything into ta for you. I guess.
17:39:13 Creating a system is another one who checks and teaching assistant is the one who makes the papers.
17:39:19 Yeah. So for us, I think.
17:39:21 I'm not sure if any of my friends mentioned.
17:39:24 That they were.
17:39:26 Making assignments, or making papers.
17:39:28 Okay.
17:39:29 But they all. They didn't mention that they were grading a lot of papers, so.
17:39:33 So g.
17:39:35 Yeah. Yeah. One more thing that during our bench lot of T is given out.
17:39:40 Because professors still.
17:39:42 Understanding their budgets and all of their requirements. So we had a lot of Gs, but don't think we had any tas. That's why I'm not very clear about what the Tas web.
17:39:58 Yes.
17:39:51 No worries. That's not an issue, but it is something that you yourself, to the professors, and, you know, get hold of those positions and.
17:40:02 Then start working right.
17:40:03 Yes.
17:40:04 So basically it's like you.
17:40:07 Are already a part of the University, even before you step into the Us.
17:40:10 So you reach out to the professors, you have to convince them that okay.
17:40:14 I can do this. I have this experience. I have this course. These are my grades.
17:40:19 And some pros. Some professors, also, you know, agree to interview on video on zoom.
17:40:24 So that's also another benefit that you get.
17:40:27 Do we not.
17:40:30 I know.
17:40:29 Basically sell yourself to the professors.
17:40:49 Awesome.
17:40:52 Okay.
17:40:31 Yeah, I had like an interview with my professor when I like. Joined college like 1st week, and then she interviewed me. And I don't know what she saw into me that she took me for the entire year like my entire degree program, and I was just under her, just floating across the Nra. So you know I don't know what they see in 2, 3 questions.
17:40:56 Because they just see a resume. And you know, how are they like judging? If that person could grade, or you know.
17:41:03 She was more of like. There are professors like my professor was looking more towards like
17:41:10 Like, how is your English like, you know? I really want you to, you know. Make paper as I really want you to write answer keys.
17:41:18 So I really want those things like everything. So she was that like strict that, you know, if you've written a sentence, there should be a comma full stop proper, you know. Sentence case should be there.
17:41:31 So she was like, Are you good with that part? I was like, yeah, that is like something we can do it. And then.
17:41:39 Later I got to know she really like is like a gram Nazi like, you know, she'll pinpoint where to use a semicolon where, to use a cooler, and, you know, have to put all those things. And she, really, you know, pushes with a deduct marks on these things for students.
17:41:53 Okay. Okay. No.
17:41:54 Have to be like 12%.
17:41:57 Probably by comedy.
17:41:58 I'm saying, okay, got it? Got it. Now I understand what she was meaning by. Do you know the English of writing sentence cases and everything. So yeah, I I also went through like a face to face interview where she asked me a couple of questions, and she was like done with it. But for other folks there was students in my badge
17:42:18 Who were done like through emails, only like their zoom, is shared.
17:42:23 And they were like shortlisted.
17:42:25 Completely in. So it depends from professor to professor how they propose.
17:42:30 So.
17:42:30 So I actually
17:42:32 Was not a grading assistance, because I didn't have a background in compressions.
17:42:36 So that was one major reason. But then.
17:42:40 I.
17:42:41 Always had an on-campus job.
17:42:43 So I was actually, luckily I was a web designer 1st for the Transportation Department.
17:42:51 And yeah, so.
17:42:53 As we were talking on the expenses, so.
17:42:55 My on campus job actually paid for my day to day expenses.
17:42:59 That's nice.
17:43:00 Tired. 2 years of my graduation of my masters.
17:43:04 That's great like that is something we really look out for, like the extra money that you can use it for groceries and like survival thing. And I would just wanted to say, like, you know, you have maybe, like move from different departments as well on your on campus. So you mentioned about the transportation.
17:43:26 And then we move to other areas as well.
17:43:28 Yes, so for the 1st year I was with the Transportation Department.
17:43:32 But then.
17:43:34 My manager, the director of the Transportation Department. She left University.
17:43:39 So.
17:43:39 There was a little bit of.
17:43:41 You know.
17:43:42 They had to hire a new director and all the budget allocations so.
17:43:45 Okay. Yeah.
17:43:47 In. During that time. I was like, Okay, I need to find new job. I can come back here. So then I found a job.
17:43:53 As the same job with the language center.
17:43:56 So my experience in the 1st job helped me get the second job.
17:44:02 Oh, nice! So you also gave him like a resume, and then interview processes as well.
17:44:08 Yes, so.
17:44:11 My 1st job. She actually looked at my website.
17:44:16 So I had a website back then, and I had published it, and all of that. So she that Link was on my resume.
17:44:22 So when I went for the interview, when she called me for the interview after it, I reached the Us. She actually had my entire website printed out.
17:44:32 And in her, in her folder.
17:44:34 And I think that's what got me the job like, she wanted a website designer. And I had a website that.
17:44:40 Had been.
17:44:42 So that actually really helped me get my.
17:44:44 You never know what all things really help here.
17:44:47 That.
17:44:48 Guys. Yeah. So during during the Covid, I was, you know, I had designed that website. I'm like.
17:44:52 I'm just gonna do it right.
17:44:54 What's the harm? And then I realized.
17:44:57 Why I did it, and how it helped me.
17:44:58 Yeah, things really help you here. So I guess my professor also checked my website as well, although it's not like made from scratch, it's on a different platform, where I just, you know, updated day by day. But she was like really happy seeing like somebody has like a place.
17:45:18 Where it's all the collection of you like me there, like whatever I have done so far. So she was really happy, like Lord of student do it. Only undergrad students do all these things, but not the master's 1. So.
17:45:35 That was one, you know, a plus point for me as well.
17:45:39 Yeah, so.
17:45:40 That helped me a lot.
17:45:43 Okay, so it's it was more of, like, you know, part time job paid hourly basis. And obviously, the you know, the prices differ from state to state and city. So we're not going to that much, but it was more of 20 h per week.
17:45:59 Yes, I made sure that I did all the 20.
17:46:01 Okay.
17:46:02 Yeah, I didn't know.
17:46:04 That's like.
17:46:03 Obviously, we want to get all the pay for 20 years.
17:46:06 Exactly. Yes.
17:46:09 Yeah.
17:46:10 So great. So how is your experience there like with the college? Timeline like? What was your college hours of people attending the class. And then this thing like what was your availability on both the site and how you are managing it?
17:46:26 So one great thing about.
17:46:27 Everyone here is that they understand.
17:46:30 That everyone's scheduled is.
17:46:33 Different.
17:46:34 And your especially with students. A lot of managers are very flexible.
17:46:40 So my manager did not have any specific timing that she wanted us to work.
17:46:45 So.
17:46:47 Before every semester. She used to ask us, what what is our schedule.
17:46:51 And what are when, when do we have our courses, and what our schedule would be best to work.
17:46:57 So. And another good thing about Gw. Is that we have. We have all the classes in the evening, from 6 to 9.
17:47:04 So you have the entire day in the morning is free. You can do whatever you want.
17:47:09 And we have classes only on 3 days a week. So you have 3 h.
17:47:14 On!
17:47:15 So 3 h each of each subject.
17:47:17 Okay,
17:47:18 8 days a week.
17:47:19 Okay.
17:47:19 So the rest of the time you can spend working doing your on campus.
17:47:25 You know.
17:47:26 Preparing for interviews, and all of that. So that was.
17:47:28 Good thing that we have this flexibility.
17:47:31 Okay, great, great. And remind me if I did not ask about it. But this was a stem degree as well. Right.
17:47:39 Okay.
17:47:39 Yes, this is the standard.
17:47:41 Okay, and.
17:47:44 It was a stem degree, and also it allowed you to take Cpt as well before you move on to.
17:47:50 Yes!
17:47:52 Yes.
17:47:52 So like as in my degree like, why I'm asking is this? Because in my degree we were.
17:47:59 Like. It was a compulsion for us to do like our CPU.
17:48:03 Like you have to do your Cpd within the, You know degree program. It's like you should have one outside experience. That is something on the Cpd part that you take it.
17:48:14 Okay.
17:48:16 So was this something like a necessity that you had to do? Or you know, if you do it on the campus as well. They were good with it.
17:48:25 No! So Cpt was not a necessity.
17:48:29 So they were okay with us, not doing a CPU.
17:48:33 And.
17:48:35 Another thing with Gw. That they don't.
17:48:38 Support co-ops. So that's a little.
17:48:41 Hello!
17:48:42 Here.
17:48:42 That's something that I was not really sure of when I joined Gw.
17:48:46 Yeah, so they don't give permission for co-ops.
17:48:51 Okay, so.
17:48:51 Until unless it's outside like, if it's in DC and you're attending.
17:48:55 College.
17:48:56 In person.
17:48:58 They're okay with it.
17:48:59 But or if you're working from home, that is also okay. But you cannot take enough semester off and then extend your.
17:49:06 I don't know.
17:49:07 Masters. So that is one thing that Gw. Does not allow.
17:49:11 I guess.
17:49:12 That's 1 thing that you can.
17:49:13 Some instances it's fair as well, because they have, like a particular curriculum, designed in a way.
17:49:33 Yes.
17:49:21 That it ends at a particular mark, and obviously they make it compulsory. You know, to have in person classes, especially for international students they want like a 3 0 Gpa, in all this semester. So.
17:49:36 If you miss like, for instance, in my university classes.
17:49:43 Like in person.
17:49:44 You really are dropped from that course.
17:49:48 Hold it up.
17:49:49 Company with that. So like you can't like just miss in person, without, you know, informing the professor. And it's like a case like, obviously you are sick or.
17:50:01 Something has happened. It's an emergency.
17:50:02 That is like.
17:50:05 Okay, but you're just sitting at home and joining through zoom classes, and most of our professors never allowed zoom classes like.
17:50:13 They really like. If it's really a dire need of the professor, then we switch on to the.
17:50:19 In a virtual site. It's always in person, like, you know. There were instances where there was like storm, and any something coming up in Atlanta. So you know that day the classes were off. But you know, somehow it's like all the time you are there in the class, and.
17:50:37 You just can't.
17:50:38 So I think in Gw. That way. Professors were very.
17:50:42 Easy going they used to always have in person, and.
17:50:46 Online classes.
17:50:48 And they're used to really not take
17:50:51 Attendance.
17:50:52 So it was, Ok, if you would skip classes. But there were certain professors who actually.
17:50:58 Took attendance, and.
17:50:59 You know the they actually troubled the students a lot. If they did not attend the classes.
17:51:04 I know, and to the point, like my class, is 20.
17:51:09 So how much you can hide like, you know.
17:51:11 Yeah, that's you.
17:51:17 Yes, please.
17:51:12 Can't hide much out of 20 folks as well, and I guess so is your case like less.
17:51:17 Yeah. So I think there's only one course that has over 100 students.
17:51:23 And it was, it was obvious because it was data structures and algorithms.
17:51:27 So there. So that was like, it was obvious that that course is gonna have a lot of students. So that was only course that had.
17:51:33 Over. I think.
17:51:34 20 students.
17:51:36 The smallest class that I've been is around 8 students.
17:51:41 And the maximum that I've been is probably 15 to 20.
17:51:46 It exclude the infrastructure. Yeah.
17:51:48 Okay.
17:51:49 And that's right.
17:51:50 I've never always been in a class of 20, I guess. Semester by semester, because there were couple of Mba students as well joining those subjects. So because of that, the strength went on to 20. But you know, in different other like classes, I was like, we were like good 16 people only like set.
17:52:13 15 or 16 people, and out of which
17:52:16 You know, 5 or 6 were usually of the Flex Mba program. They were taking those subjects, or, you know, there were students who, you know, could not complete their degree in the.
17:52:28 Time period, because of some part of that course. They just sit for one or 2 classes like subjects.
17:52:36 And then they're off. So you know it's I've always been in a class of 14 people. So not much you can do with like, you know. You know, skipping classes, or you know anything of that sort like the professors know you by name by face.
17:52:52 Because.
17:52:52 That's true.
17:52:53 That's that's a deal. 15 folks they can just remember you.
17:52:56 Yeah, that's correct.
17:52:57 Hmm.
17:52:58 Some professors used to always, you know, deduct.
17:53:01 Grades. If you used to not attend classes.
17:53:06 I was just.
17:53:04 I agree they they silently judge you how much you are inclusive in the class, how much you're speaking up and stuff like that so that that was the case.
17:53:15 And I think there was one professor I don't remember who actually had.
17:53:20 Marks.
17:53:21 For.
17:53:23 Attending classes.
17:53:25 So if you don't attend classes, you, you lose out.
17:53:28 That was the case. So.
17:53:29 I had one professor, like a funny thing in my last semester, when I was like this much in water that I just need to be done with it now, like I can't continue with any further.
17:53:41 So that Professor had, like weekend classes and virtual.
17:53:46 And for the entire summer semester, because summer, mostly Monday to Friday, everyone was working, and then Saturday, Sunday, we had my classes.
17:53:56 I'm that professor like the same you said for attending classes. He had marks.
17:54:00 Our professor had marks. If your video is turned off.
17:54:04 He used to deduct like you have to always be on video.
17:54:08 I always like morning. 8 o'clock to.
17:54:11 2 o'clock, like, you know, good amount of hours as well.
17:54:16 And he used to live.
17:54:18 Probably take names like switch audio by, have you switched off your video? So now it.
17:54:24 That's 1 thing that I remembered from, you know, attending class. But he, acting like you, have to be on the video.
17:54:29 Yeah.
17:54:30 So I always. You always have those one or 2 professors which.
17:54:34 Trouble you a lot.
17:54:36 A lot a lot, and that, too, in the last semester that was really like too much for me. I was like, Okay, I'll just sit like this.
17:54:46 Perfect.
17:54:44 If I'm learning also sit like this, and I will go on.
17:54:49 Especially getting the end of the masters. You're like, okay, I just want to get done with it like.
17:54:54 I've I've done enough now. I just want to get done with it. Assignments and.
17:54:59 Finish it.
17:55:00 I agree, and summer was the toughest one. I had just had 2 subjects. But you know all these keep your video on and stuff like that. And after you, you're working for Monday to Friday during your summer semester. And then Saturday, Sunday, you still don't get any rest. But you're doing your college.
17:55:18 So it was like good Monday to Sunday. I was like.
17:55:22 Things were coming and going, coming and going, and I was still in the same like sitting. And you know, working, and there was no gap or break.
17:55:30 That's the thing with master, like once you're into master until you finish it.
17:55:36 No, no.
17:55:35 There is no break like you are constantly have assignments.
17:55:43 Hanna.
17:55:45 Exactly.
17:55:40 Exams, and then you have to prepare for interviews. Job hunting is just keep going for 2 of us.
17:55:53 Yes.
17:55:46 And I was like, I guess we were both at the same time, like I graduated in 23. You also graduated in 2023 right? And we were just into the same era of job hunting, where you know.
17:55:58 I don't know how.
17:56:05 Oh, it was.
17:56:01 Things worked out for me, but you know it was really a difficult time. I still remember, like July this time.
17:56:11 I was just wrapping up my college like 31st July was my confident day. I was just waiting for my Ed to come up.
17:56:19 Because it was getting so delayed, and everything.
17:56:22 So, you know, it's just.
17:56:24 Really bad phase of last year, like all these months, July, August, September, and then September end. I got my offer so.
17:56:32 It was the bit. But you know
17:56:35 Really stressful times with the job in that as well.
17:56:39 Yeah, yeah, basically, yeah. One more thing that actually, you mentioned that all students require 3 Gpa to.
17:56:47 Graduate.
17:56:47 Hmm.
17:56:48 So one thing that Gw. Also does is that when they give out, offer letters for admissions.
17:56:54 There are certain conditions in their operators that you need to satisfy.
17:56:58 Or and above the already set conditions.
17:57:01 So, for example.
17:57:03 When they require English language. Course.
17:57:07 So they they take 3 exams tofu
17:57:13 Hi, Alex.
17:57:14 I.
17:57:10 They take tofu. They take lingo, and they take ivs.
17:57:16 So they take 3 exams, and if you do not pass a certain threshold.
17:57:20 Then you need to take a English proficiency.
17:57:24 Of course, or in your 1st semester.
17:57:28 And that so so that is another.
17:57:32 Valid. Something that a lot of students don't know about.
17:57:35 So.
17:57:36 I'll.
17:57:38 That course is fully paid, so we have to pay for the course.
17:57:41 And it is a very extensive course, like it takes a lot of your time.
17:57:46 Luckily my score was above the threshold, so I did not have to take that course.
17:57:51 But a large student lot of my friends and my roommates had to take that course and they were fed up. They actually spent a lot of time doing the English course than the actual computer science.
17:58:01 That's funny.
17:58:03 And.
17:58:04 In June.
17:58:04 Nothing, like.
17:58:10 Excellent.
17:58:05 Yeah, nothing today, you know, that is one part that you are paying for that course as well. So.
17:58:11 So.
17:58:11 I mean Aj does not add to your credits. So it's like, instead of doing the 30 credits you're doing 33 credits.
17:58:18 Yeah, so.
17:58:27 Yes.
17:58:19 Anyways, it doesn't count like if you do this English course. Still, this is off that 50 credits. Right? It's over that. Okay, it's not included as well. Okay.
17:58:30 Yeah.
17:58:33 And actually, one more thing that you can do is that if you, for example, scores, and if it's not above the threshold.
17:58:38 Then you can give a longer test or an quote.
17:58:42 Which will, which can you know.
17:58:44 Cross the threshold, and then.
17:58:46 Hmm.
17:58:46 The veil.
17:58:47 Course should be then later off.
17:58:49 Okay, so yeah, point to be noted for everyone to like, look through the website, what is the current part that they want in these exams? And.
17:58:59 Probably try to get it, or else you're paying for a.
17:59:16 Afternoon.
17:59:01 3 credit scores would be expensive. I agree to that point. And it takes a lot of time. So if any course you're taking it here. It just takes a lot of your time with assignments, group projects, case studies, and whatnot the professor can come up with, so probably try to pay at one place, you know, by giving the exams and getting that scores rather than paying the 3 credits that.
17:59:28 Yep.
17:59:26 Would be expensive in dollars, so it's better to get a school. Thanks for sharing that.
17:59:32 Okay, so we talked about the course, the curriculum, the scholarship, the finances, and it was pretty clear for us how one can get the scholarship, and how to have like a good profile, and then.
17:59:44 The on campus job in everything. So we really like to kill the elephant in the room and talk about the visa process. So I know you came to college just after Covid, like August 2021. And how was your visa experience when we talk about the f. 1 visa and slot bookings and interviews and everything. How was it being.
18:00:10 Okay. So.
18:00:12 One suggestion that I would like to give all the students is start early.
18:00:16 Do not leave things to the end.
18:00:19 Start collecting your documents.
18:00:21 Know what documents you require. And one big thing that a lot of students are currently facing, that even I faced.
18:00:28 Is actually getting a appointment for an interview.
18:00:32 So because I was. It was during Covid.
18:00:35 When I had my admit letter.
18:00:39 The Visa consulates hadn't opened at all.
18:00:41 So I'm like, okay, I have.
18:00:44 Admit later, but I don't know if I can go or not.
18:00:47 So interestingly. I had. I was supposed to come here in 2020 August.
18:00:51 But that's when Covid hit and the entire world shut down.
18:00:54 And then I had to.
18:00:56 Push my admit.
18:00:59 By one year. And that's another reason why. Actually, I chose gw, because.
18:01:04 Gw.
18:01:05 Allowed me to push my admit by one year.
18:01:09 While a lot of other universities were like. No, you need to reapply, and you need to do the whole process again.
18:01:15 Yes.
18:01:14 So you were able to defer it to the next phone. Okay.
18:01:17 Yes, I was able to defer it via.
18:01:20 Yeah. So come back to the visa. Start early, get a documents ready you know all your.
18:01:26 Of course. Port, make sure. One very important thing about coming to us is that make sure your passport is not going to expire.
18:01:35 At least 3 years after you come out.
18:01:38 That's what it is recommended by everyone, because it's a little difficult process to, you know. Get your passport in the Us.
18:01:46 You have Indian consulate that they do a bit. Good.
18:01:50 What process like. It's very quick.
18:01:53 In the way that you can apply very quickly, very easily, but.
18:01:56 It takes time for you to get the new password.
18:02:05 That's true.
18:02:00 Yeah, like, why do we? You know, if I do put yourself in a hassle in a new country with an expired visa, it's better I get it. So.
18:02:08 I came in 2022, and I don't know for some reason my passport, like my 1st passport, got expired in 2020.
18:02:17 And the entire family just went like, let's just renew up.
18:02:22 You know passports.
18:02:24 That that is just out of the world that we have to go somewhere. Let's just get it like renewed like dads do like. Let's just get it all sorted.
18:02:40 Yeah.
18:02:34 And 2020. I got it like renewed and 22 I flew. So I'm like sorted like, you know, that is headache, that all that is off my shelf, that my passport is valid for another 10 years, like.
18:02:56 Yeah.
18:02:48 For now it's like another 6 years. So I'm good like, I don't have to worry about that. So that's 1 thing like that's a good advice that we give up like I've heard couple of folks who, you know travel back, or, you know, just ask questions on various groups that you know my passport is getting expired. How anyone has an experience, or anything so getting like sorted from your own country itself.
18:03:12 Like. It's like, you know, you have to get as many things as of your plate of before you come here so that you don't have any other extra things to worry about.
18:03:20 Anyway, here your plate is like loading like dripping off, and then you add up your password as well. So I, considering the fact.
18:03:33 I am really scared of any ways. The official work, like, you know. Be it's be it Ops, or anything of that sort. I try to be as crisp as possible, like, you know, it's all cut to cut what is needed, is there? So you know.
18:03:49 I, anyway fear of all these activities that they would find something like, you know, there is something so.
18:04:06 That's true.
18:03:55 I better be off from these things and get it all sorted from my own country, because here you don't know anything like how things process and consulates, or anything old country. You're aware of things and you can get hold of, you know, multiple times. But here it's
18:04:13 I do hose.
18:04:15 Yeah. Yeah. And then, even if like, if.
18:04:18 By chance. If you miss out.
18:04:20 2.
18:04:21 On renewing your passport, you can also affect your Cp. It can affect your ad.
18:04:24 Young.
18:04:25 All of that process as well. So I think.
18:04:26 Because your passport is the major identification you have here as in as an international student. So that needs to be always valid like if that is invalid. But go.
18:04:38 Yeah, let's do that.
18:04:40 So.
18:04:41 Start early. Make sure all your documents are ready.
18:04:44 And 3rd thing is like, be honest about you, about your background in India, or about any of your relatives here in the Us. Just be honest about it, because they actually know.
18:04:56 About everything about you before even you step into them to see.
18:04:59 That's 1 advice that I would give, and.
18:05:02 Of.
18:05:03 So this is actually a very interesting insight so one of the.
18:05:08 While I was standing in the visa interview.
18:05:11 A student in front of me was giving his interview, and he was asked that, why did you choose this university?
18:05:17 And he said that this is the only university in the world that has a plus accreditation or something.
18:05:25 So, and I.
18:05:26 And at that point I was, you know, in my own world. I didn't think about it a lot.
18:05:31 But then that.
18:05:33 He, his visa, was actually rejected.
18:05:36 So I just my point being that, you know.
18:05:39 Try to be as honest as possible, and do not.
18:05:43 Make make up your own stuff.
18:05:45 Because.
18:05:46 You know it doesn't make sense.
18:05:49 Yes.
18:05:48 You see all my feet. They know everything like there are couple of things that you come across right when I was in my line as well. In front of me. There was something not an f 1 person, but somebody else.
18:06:00 And they just were talking, and the same did not relay on the Ds. 160. So there was a discrepancy of what that person was saying, in order.
18:06:12 And that really pissed off the officer.
18:06:15 That I was the next one, and I was really like, looking like, can somebody please change my window? And that officer is really pissed off because.
18:06:26 They were completely opposite things that the person was talking about. So it's better you'll be honest, and don't be robotic in being honest, but somehow.
18:06:37 Be confident in what you say.
18:06:39 Yes.
18:06:39 I'm not like a plus. But basically talk about your curricula or the.
18:06:45 Course, and what it provides you, rather than the accreditation.
18:06:49 Got it.
18:06:50 Got it? Yeah.
18:06:51 And also I've seen like for me my officer visa actually asked me the same question twice.
18:06:59 All the questions that he asked.
18:07:01 Twice, not because he couldn't hear me.
18:07:02 But he was making sure that.
18:07:05 I'm actually answering.
18:07:06 The sea.
18:07:07 Honestly, and answering the same thing.
18:07:09 That is one thing that a lot of students should know about, and second, is, be prepared for all the questions that they ask you.
18:07:16 So during our times.
18:07:17 I see. Yeah, especially the finance is their favorite question.
18:07:21 Yes.
18:07:22 So you should not fumble, or you shouldn't seem oh, like under confident that you don't know.
18:07:29 But you should be clear like these are your finances. And how? So? They asked me. And I was like, pretty confident that, okay, this is the amount, this, this that. And he himself said it. Okay, there's a scholarship, I see. Okay, this. So be confident in what you say and be clear with your finances. Question. That's their favorite question.
18:07:50 Yeah, so.
18:07:51 That, and.
18:07:53 Yeah, just.
18:07:55 Know what you're going to say like they might also cross question and.
18:07:59 So be prepared. And yeah, one more thing that I would like to mention for all the audiences that.
18:08:04 There are a lot of Whatsapp groups, telegrams.
18:08:08 That students discuss questions that they have been asked, or they could be asked.
18:08:14 That actually helped me a lot.
18:08:15 Because a lot of questions that I.
18:08:17 Thought, would never be asked.
18:08:20 Where.
18:08:20 On, that.
18:08:23 Hi! You!
18:08:22 January groups, and one of those questions also was asked to me. So I'm like.
18:08:26 Grit.
18:08:27 That helped me.
18:08:28 I agree? Yeah, I'm.
18:08:29 On that point, like, I also came across a lot of folks like really good people who created their transcript.
18:08:36 Of like 30 seconds, or what we did of whatever they were asked.
18:08:41 And couple of things that I prepped up from those questions as well, and they were asked as well, because they are the common questions of finances, and why this university and stuff.
18:08:50 So.
18:08:51 Later. What I did was, I also created my transcript of like.
18:08:56 30 seconds, where I was asked like quick questions, and I kept it ready for anyone you know who would come and ask me, so I've shared it with a lot of folks like okay, and even like I've done it in the same way, like counter number this add consulate. And you know, this was the total duration. Everything like how was officers moved riding everything so that you could be used from other folks as well? So.
18:09:21 That was the best part that I did, and I shared with a lot of juniors who came in.
18:09:26 Up to me, and I just take this transcript like, you can take few questions from here as well. So that was really helpful. And I agree to that point like groups and people telling those questions.
18:09:38 Yeah, so that was actually very helpful.
18:09:40 And.
18:09:41 Yeah, I mean.
18:09:43 More it's.
18:09:44 The key here is to start early and get an appointment as soon as possible.
18:09:47 Because I remember, because my consulate ha! Open.
18:09:54 The day I got my visa and.
18:09:56 The day I left I had 10 to 15 days only.
18:10:00 That space.
18:10:02 That was a very short, very short.
18:10:04 Time for me.
18:10:05 Because.
18:10:05 I had not started packing, because I was not sure whether I'll get the visa and not get the visa.
18:10:11 And because it was Covid they were not giving out visas.
18:10:14 Easily.
18:10:16 So.
18:10:18 Make sure you start all these.
18:10:20 My biggest advice would be.
18:10:22 Nick, that that's really like.
18:10:25 App device that you should start early, because, you know, late things can also affect a lot of things for you to reach late to the campus or miss out on stuff, so it's better to apply early.
18:10:38 Thanks. For yeah.
18:10:40 Yeah. So now, like, for example, like, we're done with the curriculum, we're done with the visa process. So you know, cut to India.
18:10:50 For Washington. So how was like the.
18:10:52 1st couple of weeks. They're like settling.
18:10:57 Was it? Obviously it would have been overwhelming. Experience.
18:11:01 For all of us.
18:11:02 But how is it like the 1st couple of weeks being in the capital of United States? And you know, roaming around places, and you know.
18:11:10 Oh!
18:11:11 Yeah, like, there are a lot of places in Washington like I've been there. I know it's beautiful.
18:11:17 It is beautiful. Yes.
18:11:18 So it's worth staying there for 2 years.
18:11:22 Definitely like
18:11:26 It actually took a couple of weeks to, for it took a couple of hit to hit me that. Okay, I'm actually in the Us.
18:11:33 Like, because, you know, I was preparing for it for such a long time. I started my process around 2,019.
18:11:39 And then it got late because of Covid. So you know, i 1.
18:11:43 I think, 2019 to the time I came almost 2 years.
18:11:48 So that you know that whole process was so long. I had to go through so much of.
18:11:54 So that this stress of you know visa appointments and admits, and all of that.
18:12:01 When I came out, I was like, Okay, I'm here. But it actually hit me that. Okay, I'm actually in the Us. After a couple of weeks.
18:12:08 And it was a serial moment, and.
18:12:11 It was beautiful, like I was just like. Finally, I'm your.
18:12:16 Yeah.
18:12:14 I've got what I wanted that I've been waiting for.
18:12:17 So it was.
18:12:19 It was a very.
18:12:20 I still remember that moment, and where I was, what I was doing.
18:12:24 I still remember that moment.
18:12:25 It's like, after all this. Finally, I'm here, and you know.
18:12:30 I can actually live around with my masters, and in the beautiful city and everything else.
18:12:35 And advantage of being in Washington is that.
18:12:39 It's a it's a city not like.
18:12:41 Other cities, like.
18:12:42 If you go to, for example, Texas or Arlington in Texas, or if you.
18:12:48 Go to San Francisco. You go to other.
18:12:52 College. Colleges! We see San Diego.
18:12:54 So DC. Is more of a.
18:12:57 Downtown city that, you know has good public transport.
18:13:00 You can walk around everywhere.
18:13:04 So.
18:13:05 So this is what.
18:13:06 Benefits of Dcs, like.
18:13:09 You can walk to grocery stores, which I don't think is gonna be possible in a lot of other universities, because they are just university towns, so they don't.
18:13:17 Have a lot of things other than the University itself.
18:13:20 Yeah, it's it's far off when you talk about other universities as well. Yeah.
18:13:24 Yes, so.
18:13:26 Gw. Is actually in the heart of.
18:13:28 Washington, DC.
18:13:29 And it's an open university. It's not like a closed university.
18:13:32 So along with the university buildings that are also offices, there's.
18:13:38 A lot of other students that are not associated with the University.
18:13:42 But they are privately owned, and universities. There are general.
18:13:51 9.
18:13:48 There's a lot of grocery stores. There's also liquor stores. If you see.
18:13:55 There's there's everything.
18:13:54 Nice, nice, like everything is like.
18:13:57 Located nearby itself to the university as well, because it's like.
18:14:07 Thanks for that.
18:14:02 In downtown. So everything. It's just a university area. You'll not find anything else but.
18:14:12 You'll still have chicken.
18:14:13 Yeah, you have to have support where you have somewhere.
18:14:16 Okay.
18:14:16 You have everything.
18:14:18 And.
18:14:18 Nice nice.
18:14:19 And we also have the Metro station right on the campus.
18:14:23 So that was very helpful.
18:14:24 I know that's pretty good. I haven't travelled in it, but I've heard like good, and it like connects you.
18:14:35 Yes.
18:14:31 Till Virginia side as well, like the best gate stations and everything. So it's pretty convenient to connect to that side as well.
18:14:39 Get connected to Virginia and Maryland.
18:14:42 Okay, okay, that's true.
18:14:43 Look.
18:14:42 Yeah. So it's both ways that this is in the middle. So.
18:14:46 You can actually go around this, the Tri State area.
18:14:56 Okay.
18:14:50 Oh, nice, nice! It just feels like Deliards where you have the metro all through the area, covering up everything. It feels like that like.
18:14:58 Okay.
18:15:00 And.
18:15:00 Good snakes.
18:15:01 Yeah.
18:15:01 Yeah.
18:15:04 What does this say? Yeah, I mean the public transport, not just the metro. The buses are also good.
18:15:08 The frequencies. Frequency was good when I came, but over time it has kind of.
18:15:14 I know they have had budget cuts and budget constraints so.
18:15:17 Public transport. So it's kind of holding up right now.
18:15:20 And.
18:15:22 So one thing that I felt was this, I never.
18:15:26 You know. Thought that. Okay, I need actually need a car to go anywhere.
18:15:30 I could easily walk. I could, you know, take the take the Metro, take the bus.
18:15:35 That was one big advantage that okay, I never felt like I wanted a car in DC, even.
18:15:40 Great.
18:15:41 Fun question, like in the span of 2 years.
18:15:45 Notice.
18:15:46 Like. Do you think that you have covered all the monuments, all the museums.
18:15:53 All the historic places that are like open in Washington like, do you think like, have you left anything on your.
18:16:02 While the monuments yes.
18:16:04 Multiple times.
18:16:05 Okay.
18:16:07 I but I've not been inside house. That's on my bucket list.
18:16:11 You can actually.
18:16:11 Hi nath.
18:16:13 Really.
18:16:12 Can actually get into the White House. But you.
18:16:15 Yes, you. So. How that works is that.
18:16:16 I don't go inside it, and I just click the pictures from outside.
18:16:21 So.
18:16:23 Inside White House devices. You can actually go. But you need to actually plan at least 3 to 4 months in advance.
18:16:30 I've been inside the Supreme Court.
18:16:32 Like. There was one thing as a tourist I did it like went inside that a couple of sections that they let you be part of.
18:16:41 Hotels like that.
18:16:41 I've been inside the Capitol Hill, and I've seen the Congress in session.
18:16:47 So.
18:16:48 At my time, I guess.
18:16:50 The capital building was under construction. It's still under construction.
18:16:54 It is still.
18:16:55 In Anderson.
18:16:55 It is still under construction, but you actually can go inside.
18:16:58 So it's it's just outer structure that is being.
18:17:00 Only accessible to local who live in Washington.
18:17:07 Actually, even I got to know, after staying so long in DC.
18:17:11 Okay.
18:17:12 So there is the you can actually go to the captain website, and you can book your store and.
18:17:19 Once you book your cloud, you can. You have to. So that's not only gets you entered into the Capitol Hill.
18:17:24 But if you want passes into this.
18:17:27 Chambers, the Congress sessions. Then you need to ask the help desk.
18:17:31 Inside, the.
18:17:33 Capital hill. So you don't get it online. You don't get it anywhere else.
18:17:37 That's great. I guess my audience will know it, that apart from the college and everything they can reach out to you for all these extra curricular activities.
18:17:44 In DC. Yes, in DC. Yes.
18:17:49 Definitely.
18:17:55 I think, actually also.
18:17:47 Good afternoon.
18:17:56 Yeah.
18:17:57 You can actually go on the top of the Washington Monument.
18:18:01 Oh, my God, this is too much! You don't need to connect with you. Offline to know all these things.
18:18:06 Yeah. So so that's another thing that you can do.
18:18:10 You can just go to the White House.
18:18:12 Blame.
18:18:13 I'm not. I've not done all the museums.
18:18:15 But I've done all the major ones.
18:18:20 Sometimes they arrange.
18:18:20 It takes a lot of time, I guess, because there are a lot like every historical event is in.
18:18:27 I like Washington itself. So it's a lot.
18:18:29 A very historical place, so.
18:18:32 Out of here.
18:18:32 Yeah, it is, it is. And if, like.
18:18:35 Like.
18:18:36 It's like.
18:18:37 Any part of it is really beautiful. That's like one feedback I had like I went in during the winters and.
18:18:45 Just in front of the Lincoln Memorial, that whatever was full frozen, and we would just like ice skating with my friends.
18:19:04 Okay.
18:19:10 It just.
18:18:55 And it was beautiful like you know I and then, you know, I saw majority of the places during the night, and then I saw it during daylight as well to feel the difference like, how do they live in the night and then in the day? But it's beautiful like it's it's.
18:19:11 Every area is, and Washington is meant to be called like a beauty state.
18:19:17 Because everything is there, and.
18:19:20 It is, it is especially in the summers.
18:19:22 Like if you are, if you not summar like around.
18:19:26 March, April, when it's not very cold, and it's not very hot.
18:19:30 It is amazing. The grass is so green. You see a lot of people, their picnics. People are playing.
18:19:36 Yeah.
18:19:36 It is just amazing.
18:19:40 Perfect. We got really derailed on that one question, but I have couple of 2 or 3 more major questions, and then we can wrap this up. So I I know that we were graduated during a time when you know, Job Market was really not at a good point, and I know you know you are really successful working as a software engineer with me.
18:20:03 So I just wanted to understand what were few things that worked out for you, any sort of things that you want to quickly share it with the audience. And then how this current role is aligned with what we learned from the curriculum as well from Gw. So that we can talk.
18:20:21 Yeah.
18:20:23 So for the job process, I would suggest all students coming to the Us.
18:20:27 To start job hunting from day one.
18:20:30 So.
18:20:31 One thing that I did not know about was some of the internships.
18:20:37 Were already open the day before. I stepped into the Us.
18:20:41 So I was looking for summer internships. In the summer of 22.
18:20:46 And some of them had already opened.
18:20:49 In the summer of 21.
18:20:50 So one year in advance, companies open up their internship positions.
18:20:55 And so let me talk about internships first, st and then I'll come to the job jobs.
18:21:01 So internships.
18:21:03 You start off.
18:21:06 One thing is, have your resume ready.
18:21:08 Do not wait for.
18:21:10 Building your resume after coming to the Us. Because you're gonna lose out on precious time.
18:21:16 Have your linkedin ready.
18:21:17 Like.
18:21:19 It should be up to date. A good photograph, good headline.
18:21:22 You know all the experiences.
18:21:25 Education updated to the date and.
18:21:28 So a lot of Indian students feel that you know placements here in the Us. Happen the same way that happened in India that companies come to universities.
18:21:35 But that is not the case.
18:21:37 You know.
18:21:39 Universities, just.
18:21:41 You know, help you with.
18:21:42 Comparing it, as you may know, polishing your Linkedin, but they do not help you finding jobs. Some universities do have tie-ups with some companies. But it's not the case on the universities.
18:21:53 So you are to find internships and jobs you're on your own. So start applying as soon as possible.
18:21:59 As early as.
18:22:00 Possible, because.
18:22:01 If your resume.
18:22:04 Goes in early. Then you are. You have a very high chance of getting a call for.
18:22:08 That's what I've noticed in the last 2 years of my job hunting.
18:22:13 So that's 1 thing. And.
18:22:15 Especially for compassion students.
18:22:16 If you're looking at core science like front and engineering or software engineering back end developers.
18:22:23 Back in engineering.
18:22:25 Then you need to.
18:22:26 Consistently.
18:22:28 Be in touch with the current technologies.
18:22:31 And also.
18:22:33 Completely be clear of your basics. So data structures and algorithms is what they ask you in.
18:22:39 Every day.
18:22:41 Yeah. So all companies will send you out.
18:22:45 Test first, st and then they'll have introduced so.
18:22:47 It's all on data structures and algorithms.
18:22:50 So have your need code.
18:22:52 Basics.
18:22:53 Very.
18:22:54 You know, very clear.
18:22:55 And another thing that I consistently did was alongside doing was reaching out to people on Linkedin.
18:23:03 So, for example, I have a company.
18:23:06 So I used to software developers of engineers.
18:23:10 In my position.
18:23:11 Who are the same role as.
18:23:13 That I want. I used to reach out to them, connect with them, and then.
18:23:17 Talk to them about what the company requires.
18:23:20 And how? How? As an interview, because they are the ones who interview you.
18:23:24 So what they look in for candidates.
18:23:28 And.
18:23:29 Sometimes not sometimes like. I used to always ask for reference.
18:23:33 Now you refer me in this company.
18:23:35 So the system of reference works very good here that you know.
18:23:40 Employees can refer you.
18:23:43 When when you, when your application is attached to the referral, then you get a higher
18:23:48 You know there are higher chances of you being selected for.
18:23:52 So reach out to people, connect, to connect with them, network with them.
18:23:56 It's going, it's it's a little time consuming. But I think you should spend a little time on that.
18:24:02 And if you can get Linkedin premium is what I.
18:24:07 Because it gives you more insights into applications, and then you can, I think, when when I had come they did not have any restrictions on on us, sending messages to people while you connect to them.
18:24:19 But now I think they've added a lot of restrictions and lot of that. So Linkedin premium actually, now helps a lot.
18:24:26 Than it used to before.
18:24:27 So get Linkedin and.
18:24:30 Yeah, just stay consistent. Don't lose hope and just stay consistent with what you're doing.
18:24:35 Yeah and and like, that's 1 thing that really helped me. And a lot of folks that I've talked to during the podcast is the networking bit, because, you know, cold calling is something like cold. Messaging is something.
18:24:48 If not, you're just building relationships. And somehow, things just like falls into picture like, somehow, those connections work up. And then some. And yeah, I definitely think really strong here. So you know, go for that one as well. And I went up, you know.
18:25:06 Your network on Linkedin should be really diverse, like, you know, you can connect to as many folks from different of organizations, and, you know, somehow, get those, build those relationships. And you know.
18:25:19 That networking will really take a long.
18:25:22 Yes, that's.
18:25:22 So that is, that is like completely fruitful.
18:25:28 Obviously, before we head on to the student ambassador part like, do you want to talk more about your current role, and how it majorly aligns with your degree, that you did.
18:25:39 Yes, so I'm.
18:25:42 Currently working with the Applied Economics Office in.
18:25:45 Missed.
18:25:47 So I'll just give a small background. What NIST actually does. So NIST is a part of the Us. Department of Commerce.
18:25:54 An Isd stands for national standards and technology. And they basically.
18:26:00 Bid, and bid.
18:26:02 Policies, built.
18:26:03 Set, the standards.
18:26:05 And build products tech products for the Us. Government and.
18:26:09 For the.
18:26:11 Industry in the Us.
18:26:13 So that's what they basically do.
18:26:15 So.
18:26:16 For example, like.
18:26:17 To give a small insight of what exactly they do is that.
18:26:21 The Us. Is working on an AI policy.
18:26:23 And actually missed is the one actually preparing the AI policy along with.
18:26:28 Getting getting.
18:26:30 All the stakeholders together. And that's what basically does starts the process.
18:26:34 And then just stays there.
18:26:36 And let's the industry take over and build the policies and products and all of that.
18:26:42 So right now, I'm working as a software engineer.
18:26:45 Also building products.
18:26:47 Currently I'm working on.
18:26:50 More of python right now.
18:26:52 But previously I was working on react and.
18:26:56 Front end and back end. But now I'm a little towards the back end with working on python and.
18:27:02 Extracting data building data sets. All of that.
18:27:06 So that's and this.
18:27:07 So this is what I actually studied in my.
18:27:11 You know. Get extraction.
18:27:13 Software engineering.
18:27:15 Software paradigms.
18:27:18 Different structures and algorithms. So.
18:27:20 It just aligns with what I did, and also my previous experience back in India.
18:27:24 Was also in react.
18:27:26 Okay.
18:27:26 So that just continued.
18:27:28 With me for your.
18:27:29 So that's just.
18:27:30 It's amazing.
18:27:31 Our lines, everything. Yeah.
18:27:33 Yeah.
18:27:34 I guess this is something that I've heard from a lot of folks from the software engineering background.
18:27:41 That. You know, they usually talk about what is new in the industry, what is on the front end side? What is on the back end. You know a lot of things that I see on Instagram and Linkedin as well like, you know, these are couple of famous.
18:27:55 Things which a lot of organisations are following. These are the things on.
18:28:02 Like, really working the most with the organizations.
18:28:06 Yeah.
18:28:08 Feet.
18:28:08 And another.
18:28:09 Okay.
18:28:09 Yeah. Go ahead.
18:28:11 Sorry. No, I mean
18:28:12 Yeah. So another thing that I wanted to add for job processes that try to build your own.
18:28:19 You know.
18:28:20 Online presence.
18:28:21 It might not be in the sense of an influencer.
18:28:24 But have a website where everything's up to date, you know. Build your Github profile, you know.
18:28:31 Whatever projects you do during your coursework.
18:28:34 Have it public it to Github, so that you know.
18:28:38 Companies and recruiters actually know that. Okay, this candidate is reliable. He knows what he's doing.
18:28:44 And it also showcases that, okay, you know how to build a website.
18:28:48 You know how to use Github. So these are the main basic things that.
18:28:51 A lot of software engineers are expected to know.
18:28:55 So that also helps.
18:28:57 I agree like
18:29:14 Yes.
18:29:00 Having your presence on all these platforms, you and lets people know about your work as well like what you've done back in college, you know not. Everything can go on your assuming, but your Linkedin profile is also one thing that can stand with all these things together. So you know all sorts of projects, all sorts of publications, anything like.
18:29:22 Like. I've also seen people like worked with, you know, freelance groups.
18:29:27 You know, you know they have gained that experience like a volunteer.
18:29:32 And they published those things as well on their github. So you know, you can see what was their part. And this is somehow that signifies that you worked in teams.
18:29:41 That you've worked with a lot of folks together, so a lot comes out of it to the recruiters and the hiring managers that can help. So this is like a beneficial to build your profile way before, like.
18:29:53 Whatever you're doing during your call, just put it everywhere.
18:29:57 On your social, so that you know people know what things are working.
18:30:01 That's true. Yeah. And I would also suggest everyone spend on building a website.
18:30:07 On your tweaking your resume, making sure that you use the right keywords.
18:30:11 Because it might be time consuming and useless in the beginning.
18:30:14 But over time it's actually gonna.
18:30:16 Be the most beneficial.
18:30:19 For you while finding jobs.
18:30:21 When you land that job, these all things would really look small, like.
18:30:26 Yes.
18:30:26 You know that you've done it. But those were the things that actually helped you all through.
18:30:31 Yeah.
18:30:32 That's great. I know that we are really at mock at the time, but I really want you to talk more about quickly about the student ambassador thing that you know, anyone who is coming in the future could be part of.
18:30:46 And learn. How can we be part of as a student ambassador? And what are the things that they need to do.
18:30:52 Yes, sure. So this specific student ambassador program is.
18:30:59 Specs. I I think this is specific to Gw. I'm not sure about other universities.
18:31:03 But
18:31:04 So the school of Engineering has this wonderful student ambassador program.
18:31:09 Where current students.
18:31:11 Answer questions.
18:31:13 That.
18:31:15 Prospective students might have.
18:31:16 So there is no middleman, there is no, you know, going through the university and then reaching out to the students directly from student to student.
18:31:24 And there.
18:31:26 They're around. I think.
18:31:28 10 to 11, student ambassadors chosen.
18:31:30 From each department.
18:31:32 So there is one master student and one Pst. Student.
18:31:36 So there are. If you have questions about Phd. You can ask them.
18:31:39 Student Dsd student.
18:31:41 And if you have questions about master, you can ask the master students. And the reason it's very beneficial is that because these students are.
18:31:49 They have a lot of idea about the University itself.
18:31:52 Do you have idea about the housing situation in and around the University?
18:31:56 And they can answer from a student's perspective.
18:31:59 Because they have.
18:32:01 Gone through all of that process.
18:32:02 So it makes it lot of makes it very easier for the prospective students, you know, simplify and
18:32:10 Help them in the process, because this is what happened to me.
18:32:13 When I was a prospect student, I actually connected to one of the student investors.
18:32:17 And I was in touch with him.
18:32:21 Even after I came back to the Us. And he's actually one of my very good friends. Now.
18:32:25 And he was the one who helped me apply for the student ambassador.
18:32:33 Yeah.
18:32:30 So it was a circle of life for me, asking questions to student, to student, ambassador.
18:32:37 And then, 2 years later. So one year later, answering them as a student ambassador.
18:32:42 So.
18:32:43 That whole process actually.
18:32:45 That's amazing, like, you know.
18:32:48 One day you were asking, and the other day you were being asked questions so.
18:32:53 Yes.
18:32:54 Full. Circle. Yeah.
18:32:55 It's okay. So that was.
18:32:58 So it actually helped me a lot because he told me about housing opportunities around University.
18:33:05 And then about transportations and.
18:33:08 Along another thing that students that come to the university can do is that connect to the.
18:33:13 Indian Student Association. If they're from India or student associations in the University.
18:33:18 There are so quite helpful.
18:33:21 And, in fact, when I 1st came to the university, someone from the Student Association was there.
18:33:26 To resume me at the quote and get me to the University. So.
18:33:30 A lot of students did that actually.
18:33:32 So that is also, that's also one way to connect with your current students.
18:33:37 And connecting the student ambassadors.
18:33:40 Helps a lot in all these kind of things that.
18:33:43 The university might not be.
18:33:45 You know, able to help you.
18:33:52 This.
18:33:46 Yeah, do you know, like having university play role everywhere is difficult. But such programs, really, you know, help a lot with the newly, you know. Admitted students. And then.
18:34:05 Let's hit.
18:34:01 Who will better know this scenario more than the current students itself, like they would know that, like in in and out of everything, like every sort of smart work, hard work. They know what to do, and they can, you know, help you with the same.
18:34:15 Yes, that's cool. Yeah.
18:34:19 That's that's perfect. So that, that makes us come to the end of the podcast and we'll wrap up with just one question with you. I know a lot of things were shared here. A lot of fruitful information was shared here. But one thing that you would like to share with all the incoming international students to maybe Gw. Or to any other university.
18:34:41 Any advice that you want to give out to all of those students.
18:34:47 So. One thing that I realized after coming to the Us was.
18:34:52 How contact in such a protected environment. I was back in India.
18:34:57 So.
18:34:57 Once you are in the Us. You are on your own.
18:35:00 So it's gonna be it's not gonna be easy, is what I want to be brutally honest with all the students that are coming here.
18:35:06 So they think, Okay, it's us, you know, it's gonna be fun. It's gonna be this and that.
18:35:10 But.
18:35:11 It's it's
18:35:14 If you're if you're doing hard work.
18:35:15 And if you're consistent.
18:35:16 Then you're going to have a lot of fun.
18:35:18 But if you're here to have fun, then it's gonna be very difficult for you to. You know.
18:35:24 Be here and get in, especially in this job market.
18:35:26 It's gonna be really hard. So.
18:35:29 Come here, do the hard work. You will have a lot of fun.
18:35:32 Travel don't, just because you're in masters, just, you know, try to travel at least locally and see all the places.
18:35:39 I most importantly take care of a health.
18:35:42 Just in the stress. Don't forget that, you know you have a body to take care of.
18:35:47 Play some sports. Don't! Don't lose out.
18:35:50 Your interest that you had in India or back in your home country.
18:35:53 Don't lose them out here after you come here.
18:35:56 Is like on the other. Advices, like they already know.
18:35:59 But these are my from my personal experiences.
18:36:01 Yeah.
18:36:02 So.
18:36:02 Yeah, that that would be it.
18:36:04 It's always the thing like there are struggles everyone has their own like would have had his own struggling times with things.
18:36:14 I have had different struggling moments others would have different. But you know, it just makes you a stronger person here who you tackling everything like you are the sole person who will tackle a job.
18:36:31 Who will clean the house, who will submit and.
18:36:40 Thanks team.
18:36:35 Also, you know who will be, you know, catering to everything. Be it your health, be it your assignments. Everything is you.
18:36:43 So, you know, I'm really glad that you picked up that point, that you know your health is your priority here, because.
18:36:50 One glass of water is just you who can give yourself.
18:36:55 So you know, it just makes you feel a lot of independence here when you come here and do a lot of things on your own, and we would say, like, nothing is.
18:37:06 That difficult. It's just you have to like that way for yourself.
18:37:11 And things would really work out.
18:37:27 You guys.
18:37:29 Yeah.
18:37:14 Like, you know, the job market was difficult. But network, you, you know, connect with folks, and somehow things land up. But if it doesn't. It's it's okay. But you know you have to try here. You can't be just sitting down, and things would come up to you. No, it's not that? Who else? We are part of anymore.
18:37:33 Yeah.
18:37:33 Yes.
18:37:34 So yeah, things you have to work out. And things really work out here. Eventually, it just takes time. But
18:37:40 Desktop.
18:37:42 Yeah.
18:37:43 That's amazing. Like, we had a lot of discussion today about the university, the program curriculum and a lot of things together. And there were a couple of things that you told us about the city, about the college as well, that.
18:37:56 Stood out different from other colleges as well. So I would like to thank you for taking our time and coming up talking about all these things. So thank you so much on behalf of its P magazine. It was really great. And hopefully, a lot of people like get that help connect with you and know more about other things that we couldn't discuss in that podcast.
18:38:17 But I really want to keep the conversation open and hopefully. People take that help and connect with you as well.
18:38:25 Oh, thank you so much, for you know inviting me.
18:38:29 Letting me share my experiences with with everyone, and I hope.
18:38:33 It helps everyone.
18:38:35 And anyone can connect with me. Oh, I think all my links are down below.
18:38:39 And I think someone is also going to share it everywhere. So.
18:38:42 Yeah.
18:38:43 Anytime you can message me. I'm always there to help you out, guys. So.
18:38:47 On the best.
18:38:48 Yeah, we'll have all his links in the description box below, so you can connect with him on all the platforms together, and.
18:38:56 To the time we will come up with another guest again. So see you, everyone.