“The secret of getting ahead is getting started” – Mark Twain

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started” – Mark Twain

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started” – Mark Twain. The advancement in technology and science is taking humankind to the next level of comfort and ease on the one hand and changing the business models for the industry on the other. No matter what the individual vocation is, technology has become an integral part of every occupation, process, and work skills. Hence, it is becoming more imperative that further structured education with hands-on experience in real-time applications accompanied by in-depth knowledge of the subject is the starting point for moving forward. Technology, today, means power in the broadest sense of the term and the power of the mind. And a powerful mind with the right skills acquired will give an edge for progress. Having completed an inspiring six-year work in the areas of information technology and having completed a bachelor’s course in Computer Science, I would like to use this knowledge to do my masters in the emerging and critical areas of computer science.

I have always had more interest in finding out how technology is applied, how it changes lives, how it plays a role in the day to day work that I do. As I was doing my bachelor’s, the course curriculum was more attuned to the theoretical aspects which laid down the fundamentals. My core need for applying the learnings in the real work atmosphere led me to take up a job immediately after my bachelor’s.For the past six years, the days that I have spent at my professional place gave me a broad perspective, clear understanding, hands-on learning, skills in several technological areas and increased my interest in the subject. These years of work experience has given me an impetus to get started so that I can stay ahead! I believe now it is the right time to gain a master’s degree in the areas of my interest in a university environment.

I did my bachelor’s degree in computer applications from Bangalore University, which was a three-year intense program on computer science. My main areas of interest were Networks and Operating Systems and Security subjects. I enjoyed courses on Digital Graphics and Database. I did projects during the course on these as well as developed many Software programs in C, UNIX, and Java.

My tryst with computer science areas led me to specifics by way of experience. I started my career with Pheme Software, a start-up technology company where I got trained in Cloud Management, Network administration, and Security concepts and GIAMA tool. As a part of client engagement with Happiest Minds, a leading technology company, I took the lead to resolve many client issues and became a naturally chosen person to resolve any technical issues that would arise in Linux server and Windows servers. I was appreciated and was given higher responsibilities and roles to lead small teams. As Happiest Minds team was impressed by my work, the team requested my employer to allow them to hire me directly, which resulted in me becoming an employee of Happiest Minds.

Sooner, my thirst for more technical opportunities to tune my knowledge, skills, and growth led me to join IBM. Four and half years of work with IBM has resulted in me gaining expertise in the areas of Security, Cloud, and Data Science. While I have gained knowledge in vast areas, specifically my work has given me an opportunity to learn and apply the skills of ITIL framework, IBM Security privileged Manager, RSA Secure ID, network administration and security, Linux and Windows Server, Active Directory, Remedy, Juniper, Python and many more. I also obtained certifications in ITIL, Python, and Data Science foundations. I have been involved in multi-million dollar projects of the company and have delivered value, which has resulted in me being promoted from a windows administrator to a Delivery specialist – Security Analysis & Risk Management. In this role, I have worked on client projects using the ITIL framework, Amazon Web Services (AWS), granting services, and securing such services in the areas of storage, hardware, automated tasks, virtualization, etc. The Security being the most primary focus in the expanding usage of technology by millions of users, I was inducted and worked on the areas such as creation of security updates and installing the same remotely on devices, creating and managing security infrastructure with group policies, endpoint scans, installing and configuring domain controllers, user account creations, security group creations, management of user security credentials, permissions, installation of antivirus and incident management, etc.

As I started exploring for my further education, I was always driven by the urge to move towards a development environment as a software professional. While I have already gained knowledge to some extent in several software areas, be it the programming skills, database skills, software engineering skills during my bachelor’s and subsequent work experience, my main area of work has been providing tool-based solutions rather than developing software solutions. As I was feeling the urge to look at such an opportunity for my further professional growth, I came across the MSc-Computer Science (Conversion) offered by University College Dublin. The course structure is very aptly distributed, providing me the exact learning path in Programming skills such as Python, Java etc.; Database skills including analytical skills; software engineering skills; research skills and a deep dive into the emerging technologies.

The duration of the course, being 16 months, is also very well-paced, providing me the benefit of refreshing my knowledge and applying my experience in interactions and engagement with the accomplished faculty in these areas, putting me at an advantage both in learning and gaining future employment. I can use this advantage fruitfully by helping and participating in the activities that the faculty would want any of their students to assist them in doing. This again will help me to gain the experience and knowledge of assisting the distinguished faculty, teaming with enthusiastic co-learners. The University as I understand, encourages and provides such an environment to all students, more so students like me who come with an experience having worked in global MNCs.

Ireland today is the most sought-after destination within Europe for the IT professionals. With a large number of Global companies, research laboratories having their presence in the country, the job opportunities for the IT professionals are very high. Indeed, I am excited that my current employer IBM has one of its 12 research labs situated in Ireland. Ireland has been a location for higher learning, research, and innovation for several IT companies for a long time. Hence, I have carefully selected Ireland as a destination that I should be looking for my higher learning, research capabilities, and career growth and advancement.

I have also kept myself engaged in the interests beyond my education and work constantly by my extra-curricular activities. I got trained as a Carnatic Classical Vocalist and a passionate Film Music Singer. I enjoy singing, and always love to entertain everyone around with my singing. In my School and College days, I have won many awards and accolades for my singing. I have also won Radio City Super Singer – 1st Runner Up from the popular Radio station of Bangalore city in a contest done across the state of Karnataka. I have also lent my voice as a playback chorus singer for many movies.

“Today Knowledge has power. It controls access to opportunity and advancement”- Peter Drucker.

Continuous progress is the key to life. Choosing the right learning path, growing in a structured way and acquiring the skills at the right pace, positioning oneself in the right environment of learning and application of the learning is important. I am sure this choice of pursuing the MSc-Computer Science (Conversion) at UCD, Ireland, provides me the right guidance, right opportunity and moulds me as a person and a professional for taking the journey of life with confidence. So, let me get started with the spirit of UCD behind me!