Poornima Muthukumar | Senior Technical Product Supervisor at Microsoft, mentor & ambassador, girls in knowledge science

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 knowledge methods, she holds a Grasp’s Diploma in Information 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 Ladies in Information Science Puget Sound Neighborhood.

Do you’ve gotten a favourite quote? 

Certainly one of my favourite quotes is from Albert Einstein:

I like this quote as a result of it jogs my memory of the facility of creativity and innovation. Data is effective, however it can be limiting if we do not query it or problem it. Creativeness permits us to discover new prospects, to check new options, and to create new realities. I believe this quote is related for anybody who needs to make a constructive distinction on the earth, whether or not in science, artwork, enterprise, or some other subject.

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

One of many achievements that I’m most pleased 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 steadiness my research with my full-time position as a Senior Technical Product Supervisor at Microsoft, the place I led a number of modern tasks and delivered high-quality options. On high 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, associates, 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 subject 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 group is to create options that empower folks to attain extra. I really like collaborating with proficient engineers, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to ship merchandise which can be modern, accessible, and user-friendly. I get pleasure from seeing how our merchandise make a constructive affect on the lives of hundreds of thousands of shoppers world wide, whether or not it is serving to them work smarter, talk higher, or study sooner. I really feel proud to be a part of a group that values range, inclusion, and social duty.

What recommendation would you give to your youthful self?

If I had the prospect to journey again in time and meet my youthful self, I’d share these three items of knowledge along with her:

• Do not examine 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 worthwhile, and you’ve got one thing to supply the world.

• Do not neglect your well being and well-being. Your bodily, psychological, and emotional well being are essential, and it’s best to care for them as a lot as you possibly can. Eat nicely, 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 raise you up and encourage you

• Do not forget 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 just miss the current. Recognize the small issues, rejoice your achievements, study out of your failures, and cherish the individuals who matter to you. Be glad about what you’ve gotten, and be optimistic about what lies forward.

How did you find yourself the place you’re right this moment?

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 acquired admitted to the Nationwide College of Singapore, among the finest universities in Asia. There, I studied Pc Engineering. After graduating, I joined Microsoft Eire Analysis Middle as a Software program Engineer, engaged on the MS Workplace group. I used to be a part of a group that gained 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 challenge earned me 4 patents at Microsoft within the subject of AI and ML.

In 2016, I moved to Redmond, USA, to work at Microsoft HQ. I used to be a part of the group that constructed software program methods to make sure Workplace’s merchandise are deployed to all clients, throughout all platforms, Home windows, Mac, iOS and Android, by way of one unified, friction-less pipeline that permits quick suggestions loops, publicity management, environment friendly use of our audiences, and a hypothesis-driven engineering mannequin.

Just a few years in the past, I made a decision to pursue my grasp’s diploma in Information 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 clients.

I used to be additionally a hackathon Choose for the Microsoft AI Classroom Hackathon – A problem for college kids to reimagine the way forward for schooling utilizing AI. My journey has been difficult however rewarding. I’ve realized lots from my professors, advisors, friends, and collaborators. I’ve additionally contributed to the development of AI and ML by 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 fervour that acquired 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 desires and by no means hand over in your objectives. Bear in mind, each problem is a chance to study and develop. 🌟

What’s the worth of giving again to the group?

Giving again to the group is a worthwhile observe that may profit each the giver and the receiver. Giving again can take many types, equivalent 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, bettering their well-being, and growing their sense of goal. Giving again to the group is a method of expressing gratitude, compassion, and generosity, and it will probably create a constructive affect on the world.

1000 Spotlights: Why We Give displays our mission of giving again, to mentor and to encourage these round us. By 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 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 affect, with none pay-to-play agenda. Write to us to appoint somebody distinctive who’s making a distinction in extraordinary methods.

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