During his time at Haverford, certain courses left a lasting impression on Sharma. Notably, “Principles of Computer Organization” by Professor John Dougherty fascinated him with a deeper understanding of how computers functioned. “Linear Optimization,” taught by Professor Rob Manning, exposed him to the mathematical solutions of real-world optimization problems.
Sharma actively engaged with the Center for Career and Professional Advising (CCPA), where he says he received invaluable guidance in exploring opportunities, networking and enhancing his professional skills. “I would like to thank Amy Feifer and Laura Reiter from CCPA for their guidance throughout my time there.”
Reflecting on his career aspirations, Sharma emphasizes the constant evolution of the technology landscape. “My short-term career aspiration is to fail fast and figure out what I like by trying out different things and gaining some meaningful experience in the industry,” shares Sharma. He notes that his liberal arts education at Haverford provided both a strong foundation and the expectation of continuous learning. “Being open to learning new things and connecting what you know to what you need to know is an important skill, which Haverford prepares you well for.”
Beyond academics, Sharma’s involvement in various student organizations, such as the Students’ Council and the Honor Council, and his role in supporting incoming first-year students through ISO, Horizons, and Customs, not only facilitated his personal growth but also honed his leadership skills, such as communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. “It is easy to overlook these soft skills for a technical job like a software engineer, but I constantly communicate with internal teams, the product manager and the stakeholders, as well as other engineers.”
For his fellow graduates, Sharma offers, “No matter where we end up from here, we started together and that is what defines our community – I look forward to hearing your adventures when our paths cross again!”
“Where They’re Headed” is a blog series chronicling the post-collegiate plans of recent Haverford graduates.