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 massive information 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 way of mentoring on the College of Washington Foster Faculty of Enterprise and actively champions ladies’s participation in information science as an Ambassador for the Ladies in Knowledge Science Puget Sound Neighborhood.
Do you could have a favourite quote?
One in every of my favourite quotes is from Albert Einstein:
“Creativeness is extra essential than data. For data is proscribed, whereas creativeness embraces the whole world, stimulating progress, giving beginning to evolution.”
I like this quote as a result of it jogs my memory of the facility of creativity and innovation. Data is effective, but it surely will also be limiting if we do not query it or problem it. Creativeness permits us to discover new potentialities, to check new options, and to create new realities. I believe this quote is related for anybody who desires to make a constructive distinction on the planet, whether or not in science, artwork, enterprise, or some other area.
What’s your proudest accomplishment?
One of many achievements that I’m most pleased with is finishing my grasp’s diploma in information science from the College of Washington. This was a difficult and rewarding journey that required me to steadiness my research with my full-time position as a Senior Technical Product Supervisor at Microsoft, the place I led a number of revolutionary tasks and delivered high-quality options. On prime of that, I used to be additionally anticipating my first little one and on the point of embrace motherhood. I’m grateful for the assist and encouragement that I obtained from my household, buddies, 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 know-how.
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 crew is to create options that empower folks to attain extra. I like collaborating with gifted engineers, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to ship merchandise which can be revolutionary, accessible, and user-friendly. I get pleasure from seeing how our merchandise make a constructive impression on the lives of tens of millions of shoppers around the globe, 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 crew 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 together 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 arduous to enhance your self daily. You’re distinctive and beneficial, 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 possibly can. Eat effectively, train usually, sleep sufficient, and keep away from unhealthy habits. Discover methods to deal with stress, nervousness, or melancholy, and search assist for those who want it. Encompass your self with constructive and supportive individuals who will elevate 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 sequence of experiences and classes that form who you might be and what you grow to be. Do not get so caught up sooner or later that you simply miss the current. Recognize the small issues, have fun your achievements, be taught out of your failures, and cherish the individuals who matter to you. Be pleased about what you could have, and be optimistic about what lies forward.
How did you find yourself the place you might be right this moment?
That is my story. I used to be born and raised in India, the place I excelled in teachers. I ranked sixth within the state board exams and received admitted to the Nationwide College of Singapore, probably the greatest 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 crew. I used to be a part of a crew that received the Microsoft World Hackathon in 2016, making a system that makes use of Machine Studying and AI to evaluate the chance of software program adjustments and resolve whether or not to commit them or not. This undertaking 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 crew 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. Just lately, I switched roles as a Senior Product Supervisor at Microsoft, the place I leverage my technical and information science background to construct information pushed merchandise that delight prospects.
At present, I volunteer as an Ambassador for the Ladies in Knowledge Science (WiDS), Ladies in Massive Knowledge (WiBD) and Ladies who code Knowledge Science (WWCode) group as an effort to empower ladies 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 kids to reimagine the way forward for training utilizing AI. My journey has been difficult however rewarding. I’ve realized so much from my professors, advisors, friends, and collaborators. I’ve additionally contributed to the development of AI and ML by way of my publications, shows, 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 arduous work, luck, and keenness that received me to the place I’m right this moment. I love what I do and I’m at all times on the lookout for new challenges and alternatives to develop. I hope my story conjures up you to pursue your goals and by no means quit in your objectives. Keep 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 beneficial apply that may profit each the giver and the receiver. Giving again can take many kinds, comparable to volunteering, donating, mentoring, or advocating for a trigger. Giving again can assist the group by offering sources, assist, and alternatives for these in want. Giving again may also assist the giver by enhancing their expertise, increasing their community, enhancing 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 will probably 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. Via a sequence 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. In case you are concerned in charitable actions, volunteer and paid tutorial engagements or in group service, we wish 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 international platform that connects educators with trade specialists and with different educators for volunteer visitor talking in faculty school rooms. In case you are on the lookout for a visitor speaker for a student-focused occasion, or wish 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
