To my Rotary and non-Rotary sponsors,
I hope this letter finds you well.
You know how they say that college is a place where you learn more about life than academia? Reflecting upon this past semester, I learnt more about being an adult and life rather than academia. Following my return from Nepal. I started my first-ever professional role/job as a Test Engineer Co-op with Trane Technologies. It was an incredible opportunity for me to learn and grow as the job presented unique challenges.
You know how they say that college is a place where you learn more about life than academia? Reflecting upon this past semester, I learnt more about being an adult and life rather than academia. Following my return from Nepal. I started my first-ever professional role/job as a Test Engineer Co-op with Trane Technologies. It was an incredible opportunity for me to learn and grow as the job presented unique challenges.
One of the key lessons I learned during my co-op was “Work life balance” — a concept I had previously associated with adults with “family responsibilities.” As a 21-year-old with no immediate family responsibilities, I found myself struggling to manage my studies, work commitments, and personal well-being. Juggling between approximately 10 to 15 hours of work each week, academics, committing my time to International Club and Pioneer Artificial Intelligence club where I served as Vice-president and president respectably, I discovered the importance of effective time management—a skill that I continue to refine. Working remotely, I had a hard time understanding my work assignments, which was another of the challenges I faced. I encountered difficulties in comprehending my tasks and responsibilities, but through perseverance and determination, I overcame these obstacles. This job also provided me with insights on how the world beyond academia works.
Furthermore, I faced a personal setback when my relationship with Scott ended. This experience along with my struggles with anxiety, took a toll on my mental health. It was during this challenging period that I realized I had been dependent on others, including my boyfriend, for various aspects of my life, such as happiness. This breakup helped me find myself through self-discovery/empowerment. It also taught me the importance of independence and having control over my own happiness. I consider this newfound ability to prioritize my well-being and become my own caretaker as an incredibly important skill acquired during the semester. Leaving behind the past year and a half was undoubtedly difficult, especially when I had to find a new place to live after leaving the shared apartment. However, I managed to find a new place within a week and embarked on a personal journey towards self-fulfillment and contentment.
Amidst these personal and professional challenges, I maintained my academic pursuits, with some struggles. Despite taking on a demanding course load of 16 credits—Data science I, Discrete math, Linear algebra, Experimental Design and Analysis, Data structures, and a one-credit co-op class—I achieved a GPA above 3.2. Although I fell short of making it onto the Dean's List, I am proud of my resilience and my commitment to my studies. With learning, struggling and some laughter and tears, my semester ended on a bittersweet note.
As summer arrived, bringing with it sunnier days, brighter days started. I am currently employed as a full-time Test Engineer Intern at Trane Technology in La Crosse, furthering my professional growth. I have been working on uncertainty quantification (UQ) at my co-op, I am aiding Trane in finding the right UQ model to analyze uncertainties in their lab measurements.
Looking ahead to the upcoming semester, I plan for a challenging course load of 15-18 credits. Additionally, I am thrilled to have been awarded two non-international student scholarships beyond my normal scholarships, totaling $2,000, for the upcoming academic year. Hopefully with the aid of the summer internship and on campus employment during the semester, I will be able to manage my room board and car expenses. Oh well, I forgot to say I bought a car and got my license on the 4th try. Better late than never. (You can laugh at me !!)
My internship/co-op will end on August 25 and then I will be back in Platteville for another semester full of adventure and new opportunities. I can’t thank you all enough for all you have done to help me continue my exciting journey of getting higher education in the US. I would love for you to join me in this journey full of adventure, ups and downs.
Thanks,
Isha P