Nobel Khandaker is a CSE alumnus and Software Development Engineer in Test at the Microsoft Corporation. He recently came back to UNL to give a presentation on working at Microsoft. Get to know him as he speaks about his work experience, education, and how grad school helped him land his job.
When did you graduate and with what degree?
I graduated in Spring 2011 with a PhD in Computer Science.
Who do you work for now and what is your title?
I am a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) at the Microsoft Corporation.
What does your job entail?
As an SDET working in Microsoft Exchange, I test the various aspects of the server and cloud-based implementations of the industry-leading email service and software. I am also working on an exciting project where we use datamining to improve the quality of service for the millions of Exchange customers.
What did you learn in grad school that has helped in landing your job?
My graduate school coursework and my participation in state-of-the-art research gave me solid theoretical understanding to tackle complex problems during my job interview. The academic paper and grant writing training greatly improved my communication skills which is invaluable in technical interviews.
What advice do you have for students entering graduate school?
The coursework and the research you will do during your graduate school years will propel you forward once you join the professional job market. So, don’t be afraid of taking on challenges, working hard, and take the time to prepare for your technical interviews.
What did you like best about your graduate school experience in CSE?
I had the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of CS courses. I had the privilege of learning problem-solving and research skills from Dr. Leen-Kiat Soh (my advisor). With the help of the state-of-the-art computing facilities in the Holland Computing Center, I was able to do research work and publish in the area of agent-based computer simulations. To summarize, the CSE Department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln gave me the academic freedom, mentoring, and resources necessary to prepare for my future career.