Name: Abhishikta Bandyopadhyay

Pronouns: She/Her

Semester of Internship: Summer 2024

Major: CSEE

Current Class Level:Doctoral Student

This semester I completed a(n):Internship

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

Location of the Organization (City, State): Redmond, WA

Title of Position: Applied and Data Scientist

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

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Microsoft, where I worked on an exciting project focused on developing and enhancing Small Language Models (SLMs) for Windows Event Summarization. My day-to-day responsibilities involved working closely with data, conducting research on language model optimization, and experimenting with model architectures to improve the accuracy and efficiency of event summarization tasks. I collaborated with cross-functional teams, participated in daily stand-ups, and delivered key updates on the model's progress. Additionally, I was responsible for coding and testing model prototypes, analyzing their performance, and refining them based on feedback and evaluation metrics. The experience gave me hands-on exposure to advanced machine learning techniques, as well as the opportunity to present my work to senior engineers and stakeholders at Microsoft.

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

I first learned about the opportunity to intern at Microsoft through their university recruiting program, which I had been following closely. I submitted my application in the fall of 2022, during the early recruitment cycle for their summer internships. After submitting my resume and project portfolio, I went through a series of technical interviews, including coding challenges and problem-solving tasks, which tested my knowledge in machine learning, data science, and software development. The interviews were challenging yet rewarding, as they allowed me to showcase my skills while also providing insight into Microsoft’s innovative projects. Following the interview rounds, I was thrilled to receive an offer for the internship, which I eagerly accepted for Summer 2023. This summer I returned to Microsoft for my second internship.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?
Handshake 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?
What I enjoyed most about my position was the opportunity to meet people from various schools like Princeton, UPenn, Howard etc. Learning about their diverse college experiences was really interesting and gave me new perspectives. I also loved talking to teenagers during the interviews. Since I was once a teenager myself, I found many of the topics we discussed relatable, which made the conversations more engaging. Additionally, I really appreciated the chance to shadow my PI, who is a pediatrician. It gave me valuable insight into the field of pediatrics, which is my passion.

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

I made an impact by creating a more engaging and comfortable environment for the teens during interviews, making it easier for them to open up and express themselves. As someone young who could relate to their experiences, I helped them feel understood and safe. In the specific lab I worked at, most researchers were young adults who weren’t very active on social media, so I was able to bridge the gap and bring a fresh perspective to our discussions about adolescent relationships and social media.

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

My advice for another student seeking an internship is to start early, be proactive, and make your application show how excited you are about the opportunity. After applying on the organization’s website, send a follow-up email to show your passion for the position. Use resources like Handshake to find internships, and don’t worry if you don’t meet every requirement, focus on your strengths and what makes you a good fit. Also, talk to mentors or professors for advice and take advantage of networking to learn from others.

Most importantly, don’t give up. Keep applying, and if you face rejection, recognize what you can improve in your application. Remember, rejection is just redirection.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

“What I enjoyed most about my position at Microsoft was the opportunity to work on innovative machine learning projects that had a real-world impact, while being part of a collaborative and supportive team. The Career Center was instrumental in my success, offering guidance on refining my resume, preparing for interviews, and connecting me with internship opportunities that aligned with my career goals.”