Meet Poornima Muthukumar, a seasoned product supervisor at Microsoft with a wealth of expertise spanning over 8 years. Specializing in cutting-edge domains like cloud computing, synthetic intelligence, and large knowledge programs, she holds a Grasp’s Diploma in Knowledge Science from the College of Washington and boasts 4 patents at Microsoft within the realm of AI & ML. Past her skilled achievements, Poornima is a devoted advocate for group engagement. As a agency believer in giving again, she passionately shares her experience by mentoring on the College of Washington Foster Faculty of Enterprise and actively champions girls’s participation in knowledge science as an Ambassador for the Girls in Knowledge Science Puget Sound Neighborhood.
Do you’ve gotten a favourite quote?
One in every of my favourite quotes is from Albert Einstein:
“Creativeness is extra essential than information. For information is restricted, whereas creativeness embraces your complete world, stimulating progress, giving beginning to evolution.”
I like this quote as a result of it jogs my memory of the ability of creativity and innovation. Information is effective, but it surely will also be limiting if we do not query it or problem it. Creativeness permits us to discover new prospects, to ascertain new options, and to create new realities. I feel this quote is related for anybody who desires to make a constructive distinction on the earth, whether or not in science, artwork, enterprise, or another area.
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
One of many achievements that I’m most happy with is finishing my grasp’s diploma in knowledge science from the College of Washington. This was a difficult and rewarding journey that required me to stability my research with my full-time position as a Senior Technical Product Supervisor at Microsoft, the place I led a number of modern initiatives and delivered high-quality options. On high of that, I used to be additionally anticipating my first baby and on the point of embrace motherhood. I’m grateful for the help and encouragement that I acquired from my household, pals, colleagues and mentors all through this course of.
Many ladies really feel that they’ve to decide on between having a household and pursuing a profession, particularly within the aggressive and demanding area of expertise.
What’s the most significant a part of your job?
Probably the most significant a part of my job as a Senior Technical Product Supervisor working at Microsoft within the Microsoft 365 staff is to create options that empower folks to attain extra. I like collaborating with gifted engineers, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to ship merchandise which are modern, accessible, and user-friendly. I take pleasure in seeing how our merchandise make a constructive impression on the lives of hundreds of thousands of consumers all over the world, whether or not it is serving to them work smarter, talk higher, or be taught quicker. I really feel proud to be a part of a staff that values range, inclusion, and social accountability.
What recommendation would you give to your youthful self?
If I had the possibility to journey again in time and meet my youthful self, I might share these three items of knowledge along with her:
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Do not evaluate your self to others. Everybody has their very own path and tempo in life, and you do not have to measure your success by another person’s requirements. Focus by yourself strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations, and work onerous to enhance your self day-after-day. You might be distinctive and priceless, and you’ve got one thing to supply the world.
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Do not neglect your well being and well-being. Your bodily, psychological, and emotional well being are essential, and it’s best to maintain them as a lot as you’ll be able to. Eat nicely, train often, sleep sufficient, and keep away from unhealthy habits. Discover methods to deal with stress, anxiousness, or melancholy, and search assist when you want it. Encompass your self with constructive and supportive individuals who will raise you up and encourage you
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Remember to benefit from the journey. Life shouldn’t be a race or a vacation spot, however a collection of experiences and classes that form who you’re and what you turn into. Do not get so caught up sooner or later that you simply miss the current. Respect the small issues, have a good time your achievements, be taught out of your failures, and cherish the individuals who matter to you. Be pleased about what you’ve gotten, and be optimistic about what lies forward.
How did you find yourself the place you’re at present?
That is my story. I used to be born and raised in India, the place I excelled in lecturers. I ranked sixth within the state board exams and received admitted to the Nationwide College of Singapore, top-of-the-line universities in Asia. There, I studied Laptop Engineering. After graduating, I joined Microsoft Eire Analysis Middle as a Software program Engineer, engaged on the MS Workplace staff. I used to be a part of a staff that received the Microsoft World Hackathon in 2016, making a system that makes use of Machine Studying and AI to evaluate the danger of software program modifications and resolve whether or not to commit them or not. This venture earned me 4 patents at Microsoft within the area of AI and ML.
In 2016, I moved to Redmond, USA, to work at Microsoft HQ. I used to be a part of the staff that constructed software program programs to make sure Workplace’s merchandise are deployed to all prospects, throughout all platforms, Home windows, Mac, iOS and Android, by way of one unified, friction-less pipeline that allows quick suggestions loops, publicity management, environment friendly use of our audiences, and a hypothesis-driven engineering mannequin.
A couple of years in the past, I made a decision to pursue my grasp’s diploma in Knowledge Science from the College of Washington. Not too long ago, I switched roles as a Senior Product Supervisor at Microsoft, the place I leverage my technical and knowledge science background to construct knowledge pushed merchandise that delight prospects.
As we speak, I volunteer as an Ambassador for the Girls in Knowledge Science (WiDS), Girls in Massive Knowledge (WiBD) and Girls who code Knowledge Science (WWCode) group as an effort to empower girls within the area of knowledge science and unfold consciousness.
I used to be additionally a hackathon Decide for the Microsoft AI Classroom Hackathon – A problem for college students to reimagine the way forward for schooling utilizing AI. My journey has been difficult however rewarding. I’ve discovered rather a lot from my professors, advisors, friends, and collaborators. I’ve additionally contributed to the development of AI and ML by my publications, displays, and patents. I’m obsessed with AI and its potential to enhance our lives and society.
Thus I really feel it’s a mixture of onerous work, luck, and keenness that received me to the place I’m at present. I love what I do and I’m at all times in search of new challenges and alternatives to develop. I hope my story conjures up you to pursue your desires and by no means hand over in your objectives. Bear in mind, each problem is a chance to be taught and develop. 🌟
What’s the worth of giving again to the group?
Giving again to the group is a priceless observe that may profit each the giver and the receiver. Giving again can take many kinds, resembling volunteering, donating, mentoring, or advocating for a trigger. Giving again may help the group by offering sources, help, and alternatives for these in want. Giving again can even assist the giver by enhancing their expertise, increasing their community, bettering their well-being, and growing their sense of goal. Giving again to the group is a approach of expressing gratitude, compassion, and generosity, and it may create a constructive impression on the world.
1000 Spotlights: Why We Give displays our mission of giving again, to mentor and to encourage these round us. By way of a collection of interview questions, we discover intrinsic motivations behind why we give, and speak with these inclined to make a distinction within the lives of others. If you’re concerned in charitable actions, volunteer and paid educational engagements or in group service, we need to speak to you.
This journal is dedicated to that includes people who’re making a constructive impression, with none pay-to-play agenda. Write to us to appoint somebody distinctive who’s making a distinction in extraordinary methods.
1000 Spotlights is a part of UGSI that additionally owns SpeakerPost.com, a free social impression world platform that connects educators with trade consultants and with different educators for volunteer visitor talking in faculty school rooms. If you’re in search of a visitor speaker for a student-focused occasion, or need to discover methods to share your profession journey with college students, please attain out and request your free invite code by way of SpeakerPost.com
