Next month, fifty-four George Mason students will attend a three-week long micro-internship at one of ten well-known tech companies in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, including American Express, Bechtel Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Commvault, Crown Castle, KPMG, Mastercard, Microsoft, Ticketmaster, and Verizon. They are taking part in the Sprinternship program at Break Through Tech DC, an organization dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented students in computing degree programs. 

Meet a Sprintern Q&A: Anushri Baskar

Q: Do you have a background in CS/IST? 

A: I am currently majoring in information technology and working towards concentrating on cybersecurity. I also am working towards minoring in business. Throughout my middle school and high school career, I had the opportunity to take hands-on CS/IST-focused classes such as the basics to programming, web designing, and database fundamentals.   

Q: What area of tech are you interested in pursuing and why?  

A: I am interested in pursuing a major in information technology (IT) and specifically focusing on its concentration in cybersecurity as mentioned. I am interested in pursuing this field because I have had a natural interest in learning and exploring new technological software throughout my school career. By pursuing a major in IT, I am able to learn the skills and knowledge needed to continuously explore new interests.   

Q: What are your goals for a career in tech – how might this Sprinternship help you get there?  

A: My goals for a career in tech are to continuously challenge myself while learning new skills every day and gain new experiences in various technical environments. This Sprinternship will help me get there by allowing me to apply the knowledge and skills I have learned through my coursework to real-life projects while gaining valuable experience that will help leverage my resume. A unique aspect of the Sprinternship is that you are exposed to tools and skills that are not traditionally taught in classes and are exposed to how an agile team works in a short period of time.   

Q: What advice do you have for students applying to the Sprinternship program next year?  

A: While applying to Sprinternship program next year, I recommend students reflect upon why they were initially interested in the CS/IST field. This will motivate you when applying to remember where you started from and to illustrate your passion.