- Major: Computer Science
- Company: Virginia Systems & Technology
- Graduation Year: May 2022
- E-mail: mmohandi@vols.utk.edu
Profile
Marietta, GA
I did a three-term co-op for Virginia Systems and Technology (VaST) in the Washington, D.C. area. VaST is a federal contractor specializing in full-stack software development and implementation. I worked on the software development team building software for use by the federal government.
I decided to co-op to gain experience creating software to solve real problems and to learn about working in the federal contracting industry. I also wanted to experience what work in my field would be like after graduation. I have always been interested in the intersection of software and business, so I decided to co-op to see how they interact in the real world.
The most significant achievement during my work term was when I completed a software package that was used by clients and received feedback on its use in real applications. It was very rewarding to hear how my work was implemented in the field and contributed to the success of the project.
My co-op taught me how to work with a team and conduct myself in a professional setting. I got a chance to apply many of the skills I learned in class and gained a better appreciation for the subjects I'm studying. I learned that software development in a business environment often requires you to consider more factors than in the classroom, such as cost, manpower, and complexity.
A co-op is an invaluable part of your college career. Working in industry will not only give you a better idea of what you'll want to do after graduation, but it also allows you to make connections that will open many doors in your professional career.
When I'm not studying or working you can usually find me outside with friends. I love to hike, camp, and kayak around Knoxville. If the weather is bad, I'll be inside playing board games or watching movies. I'm a small business owner so I also make sure to dedicate several hours a week to building my business.
