Gaurav's journey into the world of data science began with a passion for numbers and insights. Leaving his homeland of India, specifically Pune, Maharashtra, for the United States was a bold move, but he was determined to pursue his dreams.

Gaurav understood the importance of mastering skills, like SQL and Python, crucial tools in data warehousing. Gaurav says, “The most beneficial class in the data science program has been data warehousing, where I learned SQL. Those skills have helped me a lot in this internship.” This dedication led to an internship opportunity as a part of the NCM Team at Tesla's Gigafactory Sparks in Nevada, where he was impressed by the collaborative environment and supportive supervisors. Gaurav says, “I like the work culture at Tesla. If I need help, I can go to people on other teams, and people move between teams here frequently.” 

Reflecting on his journey, Gaurav recognized the role of UNT's resources and services. The career center, with the help of individuals, like Anna Motes, Career Coach, assisted him with his resume and advised on the best ways to find and apply to internships. Also, Dr. Kinshuk, Dean of the College of Information, Lisa Hollinger, Assistant Director of Marketing & Outreach, and his professors provided crucial support in securing his internship. He also appreciated the guidance from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) throughout the process. Finally, he is grateful for the part-time job he secured in the ISSS office by checking jobs on Handshake daily and applying early.

Learning to stay informed and proactive was key for Gaurav, as he followed procedures and monitored email communication from the college --discovering opportunities to get more involved such as exploring Dr. Mohammed Aledhari's research as a lab assistant.

As he prepares for the future, Gaurav's advice to fellow students is simple: Find a niche and explore deeply. With the support of UNT's resources, the possibilities are endless.