Ashray Kengunte M.S. '23, like many international students, came to NJIT having done his homework. He chose the university and the Ying Wu College of Computing (YWCC) for its strong course structure, wide range of electives, and opportunities to explore areas such as data science, machine learning and Data Structures.
Kengunte's professional journey in the United States began with an internship at Twenty20 Systems that he found through NJIT Career Development Services. Years later, after supervising YWCC undergraduate co-op students at the company, he found himself coming full circle – helping students take some of the same early career steps that once helped him.
At Twenty20, Kengunte contributed to the development of an AI-based consumer intelligence platform that brings together public and proprietary data to help organizations make better marketing and branding decisions. The solution went on to be released for use, giving him the opportunity to see the work move from an idea into something practical. For him, the most rewarding part has always been seeing technology translate into something useful for people and businesses.
"What I enjoy most is seeing the solutions and architecture I help build, turning complex data and technology into something people can actually use to make better decisions. Knowing that my work can improve how a business operates is incredibly rewarding, and being able to share that experience with students and help guide their own careers makes it even more meaningful," he said.
Kengunte sees significant opportunity ahead as technology continues to evolve and new kinds of jobs emerge. He also recognizes that the path can be especially challenging for international students, who may have to work harder to demonstrate the value they can bring to an employer.
"Certain companies are not always eager to hire international students," he said. "You've got to show them that you have something worth investing in. There are jobs here, and I'm one of many examples of students who came from abroad and found their place in the U.S."
His message applies broadly to recent graduates entering the computing industry. Technical knowledge matters, but so do problem solving, communication, ethical judgment, teamwork, leadership, and the ability to think critically and creatively.
NJIT faculty have similarly emphasized that today's AI-driven industry needs people who can be orchestrators, not simply operators. AI is changing how people work, but it does not remove the need for human judgment. As one instructor put it, "The real question isn't what technology can do — it's what we, and industry, want our students to do with it."
Kengunte saw that mindset in the four YWCC co-op students he supervised: Kaviya Sree Ravikumar Meenakshi, Nithya Shree Raman Sujatha, Gurdeep Singh, and Khushi Sharma. Their backgrounds were well rounded, spanning front-end development, data, AI and cloud technologies, which helped them contribute quickly. Just as important, he said, were their curiosity, communication skills and willingness to work through challenges.
"They helped the product evolve," he said. "But aside from their technical skills, these students came with the people skills and curiosity to solve challenges and drive solutions. Those skills were just as important."
When asked what advice he would give to students from India, his native country, or to any student hoping to build a career in the U.S. technology industry, Kengunte points to the value of preparation and experience before entering graduate school. He also encourages students to actively build relationships with classmates, alumni, faculty and employers through campus presentations, career fairs and other NJIT opportunities.
He added, "Be involved, upskill, build relationships, and use the resources that NJIT has to offer. That's the way to navigate the road ahead."
