Editor鈥檚 note: is presented here as it was first published for #aggiesatwork on the Cal Aggie Alumni Association website in 2016. According to LinkedIn, Shehzad is now working as a software developer at .
Shehzad Lokhandwalla, who graduated from 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis less than a year ago with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in computer science and . Since then, he has lived and worked in three continents and pursued more diverse opportunities than many people achieve in their entire careers.
Lokhandwalla has served as a software developer intern at the in Switzerland, a technology consultant at a children鈥檚 hospital in Laos, and is now a technology fellow at ., which supports a secondary school in Tanzania focusing on technology curriculum.
鈥淭wo things have inspired me to take on these challenges,鈥 Lokhandwalla said. 鈥淔irst, I had really great mentors at 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis, including Chancellor Katehi, and in the University Writing Program. Second, I love children and education, so my passion drives me to always do a little more and be selfless in it.鈥
Chancellor was computer science major's mentor
Lokhandwalla鈥檚 passion for service ignited when he was serving as an senator and working as a student assistant to Chancellor .
鈥淥ne thing Chancellor Katehi said to me was, 鈥楢 leader always has to give something back,鈥欌 Lokhandwalla said. 鈥淪o if a leader earns something 鈥 like education and knowledge 鈥 you鈥檙e expected to give that back. She also said that public service is the most important thing you can do in your career.鈥
Skills in software and passion for education
Lokhandwalla credits Levine and Perrault for encouraging him to explore opportunities where he could combine his skills in software development as a computer science major with his passion for education.
鈥淎t the time, I wasn鈥檛 sure how to go forward, so Professor Perrault suggested that I work in the non-profit sector, teaching people about the intersections between business and technology. Her suggestions inspired me toward ideas for my future,鈥 Lokhandwalla said.
Although Lokhandwalla鈥檚 time at each employer has been brief, he has left a mark on all three organizations.
Left a legacy with the United Nations
鈥淲hen I was working at the UN as a software engineer, most of my job involved making changes to web applications,鈥 Lokhandwalla said. 鈥淏ut I told my supervisor that I wanted to leave a legacy and do something to stand out. That鈥檚 when he said that I could work on a crowd-funding app.鈥
Lokhandwalla spent a few weeks conducting research and working on an initial design for the app, which could help the UN collect donations in the future.
鈥淎lthough it hasn鈥檛 been completed yet, it鈥檚 nice to know that I am the first one who did the initial design and research for it,鈥 he said.
Taught staff to use computer software
At the hospital in Laos, Lokhandwalla developed and taught the staff to use a computer software system where they could enter and store patient information for easier access. Prior to this, patient information was kept in paper files. He also created a photo booth where pediatric patients could take pictures with their friends and family, which helped improve the day-to-day experiences for the children at the hospital.
Tanzanian students learn software engineering
Currently, at the Tanzania Education Corp., Lokhandwalla鈥檚 teaches students ages 16-17 about software engineering. As the inaugural technology fellow, he is developing the curriculum and shaping the organization for years to come. In addition, he hopes other schools in Tanzania will adopt his curriculum as well.
Lokhandwalla plans to one day establish a non-profit school for Indian adults who want to start their own technology businesses. In Tanzania, Lokhandwalla is earning invaluable teaching experience and learning what it takes to run a nonprofit school, which will be supremely helpful in pursuing his long-term goals in both computer science and education.
Considers himself an ambassador for 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis
Lokhandwalla鈥檚 commitment to service does not stop with his career. He also considers himself an ambassador for 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis, having helped the organize events in Geneva and making a point to connect with Aggies around the world.
鈥淚 want to give back as much as 澳门六合彩资料库 Davis has given me,鈥 Lokhandwalla said.