IIIT Hyderabad Campus Experience

In 2016, my journey at Coala began, embarking on a five-year integrated program. Renowned for its coding and GSoC culture, the college’s influence didn’t immediately affect me during my initial year.

As the second year drew to a close, my sights were set on the coveted GSoC program, particularly with the Coala organization. I dedicated myself to consistent contributions, although my efforts didn’t culminate in success that year. I can vividly recall the message from my mentor outlining the reasons for my GSoC rejection.

Transitioning into the third year, my plate was brimming with commitments &#x2013 research, internship preparations, and the lingering sting of my GSoC setback. Determined to reaffirm my abilities, I devoted myself to a research project throughout the second semester of the third year. Following that, I once again delved into open-source contributions, this time engaging with two organizations simultaneously. Countless all-nighters were pulled during the final month of proposal submissions, yet destiny had other plans as both attempts resulted in rejection, leaving me baffled and disheartened.

Stepping into the fourth year, the looming specter of competitive coding and impending internship opportunities confronted me. With unwavering determination, I chose to eschew superficially chasing a high number of solved questions in favor of an approach that prioritized a deep understanding of concepts. The wisdom in this choice became evident &#x2013 my journey encompassed rigorous Codeforces contests, diligent learning from GeeksforGeeks resources, and meticulous analysis of my prior missteps in other competitive exams.

Two months into the fourth year, a breakthrough arrived &#x2013 an internship offer from Microsoft. This promising opportunity later blossomed into a full-time job after I clinched a PPO from the tech giant. My motivation in sharing this narrative is to underscore the irreplaceable value of unrelenting hard work in our lives.

The lesson that resonates is clear &#x2013 continuous learning and steadfast dedication inevitably pave the way to realizing your aspirations. So, stay the course, persevere, and rest assured that your dreams are well within reach.