​I don’t see myself as just an “employee” who does the 9-to-5 and goes home. I want to join a team where I can invest my whole self, keep growing, and make a real impact. Once I am in, I give everything I have because to me, it’s about turning each chapter of life into something big and impactful, both for me and for the people I work with.

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When I got admitted to Cornell, I watched friends heading off to other universities, getting excited about their last few months in India. It was a motivation for me instead - I didn’t think I was at the level I needed to be. So, I jumped into a three-month internship at Zydus Lifesciences (one of India’s top five pharmaceutical companies) which ended just a few days before my flight to the U.S. I learned new tools on my own, made a significant impact in a short time, and earned linkedin recommendations from the Deputy General Manager (my supervisor) and the General Manager for my quick learning, can-do attitude, and reliability.

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During that same period, I completed seven courses. Some say certifications aren’t a big deal, but for me, they are a solid way to learn, and I am confident about everything I studied.

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In my undergrad, I was the only student in my department to receive a LinkedIn recommendation from our Director. He praised my positive influence on the community, which means a lot because I always try to bring good energy to the people around me - friends, professors, colleagues, and even strangers. I have attached a screenshot of an email reply from one of my favorite professors at Cornell, Barbara Mink, for further reference.

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The first semester at Cornell was overwhelming yet incredible. I am also working a campus job relevant to my field (18.5 hours a week) while taking the maximum extra credits allowed. What comes next? A break? For winter break, I saw an opportunity to come back even stronger by working on things I can’t dedicate time to during a regular semester, and that’s the actual break for me. (Details of what I did will be in the “Winter Arc” section.)

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I have always believed it’s much harder to find people who are consistent than it is to find people who are simply smarter. Plus, I never want to become a “lifeless nerd.” My discipline and dedication aren’t about shutting out the world; they are about making a genuine, positive impact wherever I go - whether that’s with close ones, professionals or strangers.

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Do I use motivation to keep going?
My parents are my never-ending source of motivation. They never took trips, never did “fun” activities for themselves, never even went on a simple dinner date with just the two of them. They weren’t tempted by dining out, exploring the world, or living the “best life”. Every single thing they did revolved around raising me well, and they aced that part. Now, it’s on me to validate their efforts. They sacrificed their entire lives focusing on me. Before I left for the U.S., I asked them to name three fun things they’d done that weren’t about me. They couldn’t. And that’s the endless source of fuel for me now. I don’t have FOMO because I never saw them regret missing anything. Their only joy was investing in me. The last thing I want is to enjoy my life while ignoring the sacrifices they made. It’s their turn first.

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Conclusion: A Team Player, Not an Employee
Mentioned all of this to highlight the difference between someone who clocks in for a 9-to-5 and someone who joins a team to make it the most rewarding chapter of their life. I am here to show up every day with passion, drive, and the goal of leaving a real impact.