I Used To Wonder How Things Worked — Now I Build Them

I grew up in a place where software and technology felt like something distant — something that happened 7,000 miles away in Silicon Valley. But even then, I was endlessly curious. I loved breaking things down, solving puzzles, and figuring out how systems worked. That algorithmic way of thinking — looking for logic in the chaos — is what pulled me toward computer science. And eventually, into the world of AI.

At first, I didn't fully realize how transformative Drexel's environment would be. My first co-op at JSW Steel as a machine learning engineer put me at the center of operations that impacted tons of steel production. I wasn't just writing models — I was helping reduce waste, optimize production, and prevent system failures that could affect entire factories. It was my first experience seeing how AI at scale could move an entire industry forward — and I got to be at the heart of it.

There was a moment when I realized this was no longer practice; this was the real thing.

While JSW gave me my first real-world breakthrough, my second co-op at SAP deepened that learning in new ways. As part of a team within the Center of Excellence department, I worked on customer-facing solutions for some of the largest clients in the world, helping automate workflows and bringing real-time AI insights into decision-making processes. These weren't just internal tools — they were products used globally, across industries, with impact reaching thousands of end users. I got to work on core product logic, touch critical business flows, and contribute to early-stage prototyping that fed directly into enterprise solutions. There was a moment when I realized this was no longer practice; this was the real thing.

One of the most unforgettable moments came when I won SAP's hackathon. My team built a one-of-a-kind financial platform prototype for underbanked communities that judges said was ready to be pitched to Silicon Valley founders. It was surreal but also validating. It reminded me of why I do this — because building meaningful, innovative tech has always been the goal. That experience didn't just boost my confidence, it expanded the ceiling of what I believed I could do.

As I returned to campus, that momentum didn't stop. Everything I was learning — in class, in co-op, even in conversation — started to compound. My grades improved, I found myself contributing at higher levels, and new doors kept opening: more advanced projects, new opportunities within co-op, and deeper connections with faculty and peers. It's a kind of upward spiral I never saw coming — and it all traces back to that decision to come to Drexel in the first place. The University didn't just give me opportunities. It gave me the mindset to recognize them, the resilience to pursue them, and the perspective to grow from them.

Looking back, I realize I'm still that curious 10-year-old who wanted to understand how things worked — but now, I get to help build how things will work next.