If you’ve ever felt the sheer panic of tackling a new technical skill while trying to survive grad school, UMBC international student Soumya Bhate’s new video is the ultimate comfort watch. Released as part of the "DoIT Student Digital Stories" series, the video features Bhate’s journey from a data-loving student to a confident campus IT professional. Balancing demanding coursework with hands-on roles as an IT assistant and Business Intelligence analyst, Bhate shows how on-campus jobs can turn intimidating concepts like SQL into a fun, real-world playground.

The heart of the video lies in Bhate’s relatable, down-to-earth advice for anyone stepping into a new job: never be ashamed to ask questions. She credits her supervisor with creating a super-supportive workspace where no technical doubt was too small, and mistakes were just stepping stones. This welcoming vibe didn’t just help her conquer data analytics; it also helped her shake off the unique nerves that come with adapting to a brand-new professional culture as an international student.

Looking ahead, Bhate is ready to take on the tech world with a smile, playfully noting that "it's data all around" as she eyes her dream career as a data scientist.