🌟 Debarshiya Chandra - Student Spotlight 🌟

👋 Meet Debarshiya Chandra (she/her), MSCS student graduating in Spring 2026 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who will be joining Microsoft as a Software Engineer for AI/ML starting July 2026! 🎉

🧭 She applied to Microsoft in August, showing that applying early can truly make a difference in receiving a callback. In late November, she completed an online assessment, followed by interviews in early December. Her interview experience reinforces something we consistently observe: interviewers genuinely want candidates to succeed. The conversations were thoughtful and technical rather than intimidating, and the interviewers created an environment where she could think clearly, engage confidently, and perform at her best.

It’s a reminder to be less fearful and more engaged during interviews.

💡 Debarshiya’s few words to students:

Be intentional about the experiences and courses you choose. Ensure they develop a deep understanding of the field you truly care about.

🌱 She also credits professors, mentorship, and hands-on experience at UMass CICS as key parts of her journey. She is especially thankful to Prof. Bruno Castro da Silva, Prof. Joanna Jeneralczuk, Prof. David Jensen, and Aline Weber. Through the Data Science for the Common Good internship at UMass Amherst CDS-AI, she worked on a computer vision solution for Save the Elephants, applying ML/AI concepts learned inside the classroom to solve a real-world problem. She is also grateful to Virginia Partridge and Prof. Andrew McCallum for the opportunity to be part of this impactful program.

✨ Her story is a powerful reminder that applying early, choosing courses thoughtfully, building strong foundations, and seeking mentorship can open incredible doors - even in the toughest market.

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