STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

As interesting as that sounds, Google Maps was the application which marked my prominent brush
with technology and caught my attention. My interest in knowing more about the technology behind it
propelled me to initiate myself into the world of technology. It was a simple case of being lost at an
unknown place and needing someone to provide me with the right direction, leading to google maps.
When I first used Google Maps several years ago, I was fascinated by how it worked, showing so
many alternative approaches, and accurate assessment of the time taken to reach a destination. These
questions led me to read articles and watch YouTube videos on google maps, and then I learned that it
all boils down to code and some algorithms that are used to make it efficient. This venture gave me an
intense passion for technology and computer science. It pushed me to pursue an undergraduate degree
in Computer Science and explore various technologies like AI, ML, Blockchain, Cybersecurity & IoT.
Eventually, my efforts placed me in General Electric, one of the global leaders working in
incorporating technology to make the world a more accessible place to live in.
Google Maps not only played a crucial role in my adventure with technology but also served as an
inspiration for one of my projects, "Quadratic Assignment Problem for Hospitals," where I aimed to
minimize the average time taken for patients to get from the registry to their consulting departments
or emergency rooms, ICUs. I had researched and understood several graph algorithms to improve my
code's efficiency, but I still felt something needed to be improved; it required better time prediction or
an excellent UI. This experience made me want to work in a corporate environment to understand
how my code is compared to industry standards. It led me to secure my first summer internship at
Tech Trunk Ventures Private Limited and opened my eyes to another whole domain of data. I worked
as a data analyst for three months. I perceived the importance of data for financing a company and
improving the product to bring in more customers. I believe this skill can be enhanced when I pursue
my degree from the prestigious Arizona State University. During my undergraduate, I studied
subjects such as Data Structures & Algorithms, Calculus, Internet and Web Programming, which I
believe will also be of immense aid during this degree I aspire to attend.
In my pursuit of understanding emerging technologies, I came across IoT and soon began to
understand its critical role in building the future. This served as an inspiration for another project of
mine, "Smart Plant Irrigation System," where I led a team to develop a mobile app where we could
not only check the amount of moisture in the soil but also control the amount of moisture by
sprinkling water with a simple click of a button. However, this could be improved by automating
moisture control and not having any manual intervention. I am confident that I could develop a
comprehensive solution to such problems by pursuing a deeper understanding of multiple
technologies. These experiences matured me as a developer and allowed me to secure an internship at
GE, where I transitioned to a full-time role.
My internship with GE was one of the best learning experiences I had in my journey with technology.
I witnessed top-tier industry code and worked with highly experienced developers. I networked and
communicated with Product Owners, Software Architects, Product Managers, and Clients. My
perception of sound quality code also improved by a significant margin. I got to understand the
importance of code reusability, why to minimize database calls, time and space complexity of code,
the role of UI/UX on any web page I designed and how vulnerable my code is to external attacks.
Exposure to all these new thoughts gave me a fresh outlook on coding. I am of the conviction that all
these events can only be enhanced by undertaking a MS Computer Science degree at Arizona State
University. I continued my journey with GE by accepting a full-time role as a developer. Furthermore,
I wanted to improve my leadership skills. Hence, I took up additional responsibilities as a Scrum
Master. It was a great decision as I worked with multiple developers to understand their pain points
and translate them into user stories as and when required.
Through my academic and professional endeavours so far, I have built a diverse portfolio across
multiple languages and platforms like Java (SpringBoot, Spring framework), Python3 (Flask, Pandas,
Numpy, Matplotlib, Seaborn, AI, ML), Databases (PostgreSQL, Oracle SQL Developer, MongoDB,
Firebase Real-time DB), IoT (Sensors, NodeMCU, Arduino, Raspberry Pi), Front end frameworks
(Vuejs, Polymer.js, Axios, HTML, CSS), Version control tools (Git, SouceTree), Testing platforms
(Postman, Swagger), deployment software (Jenkins, Sonar), Unit Testing (Junit, Mockito). This has
been made possible only through a mix of experiences from classroom learning, project work,
internships, clubs, research, and full-time roles.
Additionally, I also participated in various extracurricular activities by being a part of the TAG
(Technology and Gaming) club. I conducted a gameathon, which is a mini Esports event that we
organize at Vellore Institute of Technology and since I am an enormous badminton enthusiast, I
organized badminton tournaments at GE. I also was the engagement focal at GE during my first year
with them; I organized many team lunches and outings, thereby encouraging people to network,
especially after COVID, which disrupted many engagement activities. This highlights my
interpersonal skills and ability to handle academics and co-curricular activities simultaneously.
By cumulating all my experiences, I understand that I would like to seek a new venture into Computer
Science. Though I possess foundational knowledge, some gaps remain in my understanding. I will
feel assured knowing that pursuing my graduate studies at Arizona State University will be ideal for
the knowledge upgrade I seek due to the balanced mix of theoretical and experiential learning it
provides. I am eager to learn in the collaborative learning environment on campus under the guidance
of world-renowned faculty. I wish to dive deeply into this domain and explore it further. Arizona
State University’s Computer Science program perfectly fits my professional goals and will allow me
to network further, building meaningful connections. Your comprehensive curriculum involving
subjects like Information Assurance and Security & Planning and Learning Methods in AI will open
new avenues of learning for me. Besides curriculum, great peer networks and excellent infrastructure
cater to my interest of attaining a high level of expertise in Computer Science. I also look forward to
working closely with Prof. Gail-Joon Ahn, whose research interest in the domain of Security analytics
and Big data driven security intelligence is of foremost interest to me because I too plan to conduct
consolidated research in the same bailiwick of study. I am convinced that my engineering degree from
India will make me a unique addition to the class.
After graduation, I plan to return back to my country and work as a well rounded Software Developer
at a well-reputed top-tier organization like MAANG because they are the industry leaders in new
technology and have been technology pioneers for a long time. These companies are working on
incorporating multiple new or emerging technologies into their products or solving any real-world
problems, creating an ideal environment for me to explore new technologies and incorporate them
into daily life activities or issues. Eventually, I see myself as a Software Architect, leading a team of
developers to create new products, technologies, or solutions.
To summarize, I have the essential skills and ambition required to succeed in this degree. Now I am
looking for the right platform that will assist me in achieving my goals. In this regard, your university
stands as my first choice because of the brilliant curriculum design that it follows. Moreover, the
learning environment ensures that I shall be undergoing holistic personal and professional
development. Thus, I respectfully request that you examine my candidacy, allow me to grow and
contribute to your prestigious institution.