Written by: Paola Pinto November 20, 2023 Krina Bhagat, senior student at the Department of Computer Science Krina Bhagat, a senior student at the Department of Computer Science and Student Ambassador at the College of Science at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System, has already secured a software engineer position. From Jasper, Alabama, and embracing her Indian heritage, Bhagat is a first-generation college student in her family and shares insights on her journey. With a history of immigration spanning decades in her family—her grandparents in the eighties, her father and uncle in the nineties, and her mother and aunt around 1995—Bhagat navigates the delicate balance of these dual cultures. Being a first-generation college student without guidance has posed its challenges. Bhagat reflects, "I always had my parents' support, and engaging in high school activities made me more comfortable with college life." Born in the United States, Bhagat navigates the intersection of Indian heritage and American upbringing, fluently speaking three languages: Gujarati, Hindi, and English; she expanded her linguistic repertoire during her bachelor's, developing an affinity for programming languages. Intro to Object-Oriented Programming for Java has been one of her favorite classes. This course centered on teamwork, provided her with invaluable insights into collaborative projects for real-world applications in the field. Navigating her current internship, Bhagat efficiently manages assignments for her final semesters. While envisioning a potential shift towards management roles in the future, she remains open-minded about her career trajectory. Expected to graduate in Spring 2024, Bhagat has already secured a position as a software engineer in the same company where she is interning. Looking forward, she contemplates pursuing a master's degree in Computer Science. Despite wrestling with the complexities of coding, Bhagat persevered, navigating a steep learning curve with determination; she attributes her success to the unwavering support of her family. Her advice to fellow students is clear: persevere, seek help, and cultivate meaningful connections with professors and peers.
