This summer, the four of us explored diverse areas within the tech industry, from computer vision research and frontend development to AI model building, cloud engineering, security engineering, and API management. We applied our skills to impactful projects that improved user experiences, optimized system performance, and enhanced security for millions of users. Despite the challenges of adapting to new environments and technologies, we leveraged our problem-solving abilities, collaborative communication, and the liberal arts foundation we developed at Mount Holyoke. Our panel aims to discuss the technical and professional insights we gained, showcasing how our analytical and computational skills helped us succeed in various tech roles. Join us to hear about our experiences and how we used cutting-edge tools to solve real-world problems.

Moderator: Melody Su, Assistant Professor of Computer Science
Agile in Action: A Summer of API Management and Professional Growth - Cynthia Akanaga ’25, Computer Science major/Statistics minor
Engineering the Cloud: My Amazon Internship Journey - Priya Joshi ’25, Data Science Major & Philosophy minor
SWE intern at ENSCO - Anh Tran ’26, Computer Science & Math double major
Riding the AI wave: Switching gears into a new era in tech. - Fatima Shah ’26, Computer Science and Architecture double major.

Speaker name: Cynthia Obianuju Akanaga
Title: Agile in Action: A Summer of API Management and Professional Growth
During my internship at Bank of America, I worked on the Authentication team, which followed the agile methodology to manage APIs that safeguard user access to the bank’s website. My role involved daily stand-ups where I shared progress, resolved issues, and collaborated with my Tech Lead to address defects in our APIs. This hands-on experience strengthened my skills in problem-solving and professional communication within a team. Additionally, I applied technologies like GitHub, first learned in my courses at Mount Holyoke, to real-world projects. Beyond technical skills, I developed time management and networking abilities, connecting with peers and mentors alike. This internship broadened my understanding of software development and prepared me for my future career in tech.

Speaker name: Priya Joshi
Title: Engineering the Cloud: My Amazon Internship Journey
This summer, I worked as a Cloud Support Engineer Intern at Amazon, gaining hands-on experience with cloud technologies and solving complex technical challenges. My role involved troubleshooting AWS services, ensuring system reliability, and collaborating with engineers to optimize performance. I applied analytical and computational skills developed at Mount Holyoke, which allowed me to adapt quickly and excel in a fast-paced environment. This presentation will highlight the tools, techniques, and strategies I used to overcome challenges, along with key takeaways that shaped my career goals. Attendees will gain insights into cloud engineering and practical advice for thriving in similar opportunities.

Speaker name: Anh Tran
Title: Anh Tran
This summer, I was a SWE intern at ENSCO, focusing on frontend development where I worked closely with the tech lead and UX designer to refactor the codebase and revamp the UI application. At the same time, I also did Computer vision research project with Professor Audrey, where I developed a Python program that recognizes the number of faces in the webcam and generates music based on this number. They are both my “first-time”, first time focusing on frontend development, and first time working on Computer vision. Although they were challenging, thanks to a solid CS foundation gained from Mount Holyoke, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and successfully delivered projects by the end of summer.

Speaker name: Fatima Shah
Title: Riding the AI wave: Switching gears into a new era in tech.
On a crisp winter morning in 2022, ChatGPT made a remarkable entry into our world, reshaping it in ways we never anticipated. Since then, AI has increasingly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives and the tech industry. This discussion explores the profound impact of AI on the evolving technological landscape and the unique opportunity it offers to position ourselves at the forefront of modern innovation.