Every summer, we welcome interns to the Karsun Innovation Center for our annual internship program. These innovators are embedded in our research and development teams, contributing to projects led by center experts. In this interview, Manjodeep Dakavaram, a computer science master’s student, shares his experience using his software engineering and full-stack development skills to enhance the experience of Karsun team members accessing training, toolkits, and other resources.
Finding His Next: From Computer Science Student to Future Startup Founder
First, please tell us about yourself. Where are you going to school? What are you studying? What do you like to do in your free time?
Manojdeep: This is Manojdeep Dakavaram, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder. In my free time, I enjoy working on personal projects, particularly those involving full-stack development and machine learning. Apart from that, I enjoy cooking, watching anime, and strength training.
What do you want to do after this internship? What are your career goals?
Manojdeep: After this internship, I aim to complete my master’s degree and, further develop my skills, and gain more experience in software engineering and full-stack development. My immediate goal is to secure a full-time role where I can work on challenging projects, especially those involving AI, machine learning, and cloud technologies.
Manojdeep: In the long term, my ultimate goal is to start my own startup and eventually grow it into a successful enterprise. I am passionate about leveraging technology to create innovative solutions that address real-world problems. By gaining diverse experiences and building a strong foundation in various technologies, I aim to be well-prepared to launch and scale my own venture.
Making an Impact with Enhanced User Experience
Over the course of his internship, Manojdeep contributed to four projects in the Karsun Innovation Center. Through automation, centralization, bug fixes, and other enhancements, his development work and problem-solving improved the user experience of tools used by Karsun teams. As part of its mission, the center uses its research into emerging technologies to build toolkits and resource libraries to support the work of Karsun’s customer-facing teams. Interns, including Manojdeep, support the ongoing development of these resources. That includes maintaining toolkits such as ReDuX AI. These resources assist teams as they analyze, migrate, and modernize complex legacy systems. One component of that toolkit is AppPilot, which uses AI code generation capabilities to accelerate certain parts of the modernization process. Manojdeep applied his React frontend skills to address bug fixes and provide enhancements to this toolkit.
In addition to its toolkits, the Innovation Center provides both virtual and in-person professional development training resources as part of its Karsun Academy program. As part of his internship, Manojdeep enhanced user experience by automating user access to Karsun’s O’Reilly virtual training library.
Could you share a little bit about the project you worked on as part of this internship? What challenge does it solve? What technologies and tools are you using?
Manojdeep: During my internship at Karsun, I had the opportunity to work on several impactful projects:
- Task Manager Application:
- Challenge: The Task Manager Application addresses the need for a centralized and user-friendly task management system, helping users stay organized and improving productivity through real-time updates and team collaboration.
- Technologies and Tools Used: React JS, SpringBoot, PostgreSQL, JUnit, Podman, Git, REST API
- Automation of O’Reilly Platform User Management:
- Challenge: The manual process of managing user access to the O’Reilly platform was time-consuming and prone to errors.
- Technologies and Tools Used: Google App Sheets, Google App Script, Postman, Rest API, Google Sheets.
- Document Service:
- Challenge: There was a need for an efficient and secure document management service.
- Technologies and Tools Used: React JS, SpringBoot, PostgreSQL, Amazon S3, LocalStack, JUnit, Podman, Git, Jest, REST API
- React Frontend Bugs for App Pilot:
- Challenge: App Pilot, a Karsun product, required bug fixes and enhancements in its React frontend to ensure a smooth user experience.
- Solution: I am currently working on identifying and resolving these frontend bugs, improving the overall functionality and user experience of the application.
Manojdeep: These projects have allowed me to apply my skills in full-stack development, enhance my problem-solving abilities, and gain hands-on experience with a variety of tools and technologies.
Collaboration, Experimentation and Camaraderie
What is your favorite part about working with the Karsun Innovation Center? Is there a weekly meeting or ritual you enjoy? The opportunity to learn more or get a new certification?
Manojdeep: My favorite part about working with the Karsun Innovation Center is the collaborative and innovative environment that encourages continuous learning and growth. Here are a few specific aspects I particularly enjoy:
- Collaborative Environment: Working with talented and experienced professionals who are always willing to share their knowledge and provide guidance has been incredibly rewarding. The collaborative culture fosters creativity and innovation, making it an exciting place to work.
- Bi-Weekly KIC Show Don’t Tell Meetings: I enjoy our biweekly Show Don’t Tell meetings where the team gathers to discuss and demonstrate ongoing projects, share updates, and brainstorm solutions to any challenges we face. These meetings keep everyone aligned and provide a platform for sharing insights and learning from each other.
- Innovation and Experimentation: The freedom to experiment with new technologies and approaches is another highlight. I am encouraged to explore innovative solutions and think outside the box, which enhances my problem-solving skills and keeps my work engaging.
- Playing Table Tennis: I also enjoy playing table tennis with my colleagues. It’s a great way to unwind, build camaraderie, and foster a positive work-life balance.
Manojdeep: Overall, the combination of a supportive team, regular interactions, and enjoyable activities makes my experience at the Karsun Innovation Center both enjoyable and fulfilling.
What is your biggest takeaway from your experience as an intern at Karsun?
Manojdeep: From my internship at Karsun Solutions, my biggest takeaway has been the immense value of hands-on experience in a real-world environment. I’ve been able to apply a wide range of skills, from developing full-stack applications and automating processes to debugging complex products. This practical experience has really solidified my understanding and proficiency in these areas.
Manojdeep: I’ve also had the chance to work with various technologies and tools, such as React, Spring Boot, Google Appsheets, and Amazon S3. This exposure has broadened my technical toolkit and made me more versatile as a developer.
Manojdeep: Tackling bugs and working on products like App Pilot has shown me the real-world challenges of maintaining and improving live systems, which goes beyond theoretical knowledge. Additionally, automating processes, like user access management for the O’Reilly platform, has demonstrated how impactful automation can be for efficiency and productivity.
Manojdeep: Finally, working in a team has helped me enhance my collaboration and communication skills, which I know are crucial for any tech career. Overall, this internship has been incredibly valuable in preparing me for future roles and challenges.
Manojdeep participated in Karsun’s 2024 internship program as a member of the Karsun Innovation Center. Head over to our KIC page to learn more about our in-house research and development unit, Karsun Academy, our modernization toolkits, and ReDuX AI.