Student Profile: Muskaan Kapoor
Muskaan Kapoor, a senior at San José State University (SJSU), embodies the essence of resilience, determination, and community engagement. In 2020, Muskaan traveled from India to the heart of Silicon Valley in pursuit of her passion for engineering and technology. This journey has been marked by a constant commitment to academic excellence and making a positive impact on those around her.
Driven by her lifelong fascination with outer space and galaxies, Muskaan initially embarked on a path in Aerospace Engineering. However, personal circumstances during her freshman year prompted her to explore alternative fields that aligned with her core values of Beauty (her passions), Benefit, and Good (her dedication to a better society). Embracing the challenge, Muskaan found her calling in Engineering Technology – Computer Network Systems Management, with a minor in Business Administration. This decision not only reflected her personal preferences, but also promised practical benefits, while allowing her to contribute to society in the evolving landscape of networking, cloud technology, and smart manufacturing.
Muskaan’s dedication to academic excellence and leadership qualities have been recognized through prestigious scholarships including the Dean’s Scholar and the Global Spartan scholarship. These accolades serve as a testament to her merit, demonstrating leadership, commitment to globalization, diversity promotion, and financial needs.
Receiving these acknowledgments plays a major role in Muskaan’s academic journey. Being an international student, her family had to make sacrifices, putting their house up for a loan to cover most of her tuition. However, when COVID-19 hit, it impacted her family business greatly. With this SJSU financial support, Muskaan was able to wholeheartedly focus on her studies and internship hunting rather than worrying about her family loan. She doubted herself in the purpose of applying for the scholarship due to her international status, but Muskaan persevered and was eventually awarded the Dale and Sue Missimer Engineering Scholarship.
Throughout her journey at SJSU, Muskaan has been actively involved in a myriad of school and community activities, including volunteering positions, on-campus jobs, and leadership roles. From serving as an Engineering Ambassador for the Department of Engineering to mentoring international students through Peer Mentorship programs, Muskaan has demonstrated a profound dedication to supporting her peers and making a difference in their academic and personal lives.
Looking ahead, Muskaan envisions herself as a driving force in the technology world, particularly in the realm of cloud technology and even possibly furthering her educational career. Muskaan’s goal is to create sustainable solutions that address pressing global challenges, she aspires to make a meaningful impact by leveraging her expertise and passion for innovation to the world.
Reflecting on her journey, Muskaan offers valuable advice to her younger self and fellow students, emphasizing the importance of confidence, communication, and seeking help when needed. Her story serves as an inspiration to all aspiring engineers and future leaders, highlighting the transformative power of resilience, determination, and community engagement in shaping a successful academic and professional journey.
Club Video Contest
As we welcome Engineering Week, we are hosting our annual video contest. Record a 1 minute or less video (think “elevator pitch”) that showcases one of the following:
- Show why your student club/organization is special
- Share your individual or team project
- Explain why you chose your major or department–what is the coolest thing about it?
PRIZES:
- 1st place: $500
- 2nd place: $300
- 3rd place: $200
- Runner up x2: $100/ each
Post it on Instagram, tag @sjsuengineering, and fill out this form to enter the competition. Winners will be based on the total amount of likes and comments.
DUE DATE: Sunday, February 25th, at midnight.
Good luck everyone!!!
Black History Month – Black Student Day at Hewlett Packard
On Friday, February 9, HP hosted an event for freshman and sophomore college students. Students from SJSU, Santa Clara University, UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz, SF State and Mission Community College were in attendance as HP employees gave tours that showcased the latest computer and printer technology from the company. Students also got a lesson in financial well being where 401k, Roth IRA, Credit Cards and Debt reduction were topics of conversation. 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the event. For those interested in the next Black Student Day event, stay tuned for information coming in the Fall 2024 semester.
Exploring Standards for Responsible AI – Prof Ahmed Banafa
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming our world, touching every aspect of our lives from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment. As AI’s influence grows, ensuring its responsible development and deployment becomes paramount. One crucial cornerstone of this effort is establishing ethical and technical standards for AI. These standards aim to guide the development of trustworthy, fair, and beneficial AI systems that contribute to positive societal outcomes.