Tamanna Chowdhury is a rising senior at Hunter College, majoring in Computer Science in the Daedalus Honors program, set to graduate a year early in May 2025. She is passionate about software engineering and actively contributes to her campus community. This summer, Tamanna is gaining valuable experience working with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In her free time, she loves filming, hanging out with her friends and family, and getting coffee!
Internship Placement:FDIC
As a CAPAL scholar/intern, what does CAPAL mean to you?
CAPAL means a sense of community to me as a scholar/intern. I really loved how everyone was accepting and caring. I remember my first time traveling without my family to attend CAPAL’s orientation; I worried about fitting in. However, I was greeted with kindness and met people who were willing to help. I was thrilled to meet such a diverse group of people. Being in CAPAL opened my eyes to different perspectives and showed me that there’s more out there to experience. It encouraged me to take risks, always try my best, and step out of my comfort zone.
What is an issue or topic within the AANHPI communities that you feel passionate about addressing?
An issue within the AANHPI communities that I feel passionate about addressing is Anti-Muslim sentiment. I believe it is crucial for my community to be aware of the injustices faced by Uyghur Muslims and the situation in Palestine. Many policies being created have significant impacts, and it’s important to educate and inform others about these issues to foster understanding and support.
What are your main responsibilities at your position? What are some of your big projects?
As a Data Engineer Intern, my main responsibilities include leading a project for the FDIC that involves creating a Cross Walking Tool. This tool helps FDIC users circulate all the FRB (Federal Reserve Bank) numbers with the correct variable names. Additionally, I work on the Grocery Project, ensuring the accuracy of the data being published, and coding a program to make it easier for users to find components and APIs quickly and efficiently.
How does this internship fit with your professional and career goals?
This internship aligns with my professional and career goals because I aspire to be a software engineer. As a Data Engineer Intern, I am acquiring valuable skills that help me navigate my future career path. Working at the FDIC provides me with insights into government operations and allows me to observe how the government is gradually integrating AI technologies.
What does public service mean to you? What sparked your interest or desire to get involved with public service?
I’ve never been involved in public service before, but my curiosity and desire to explore new areas outside of Computer Science led me to apply to CAPAL. I wanted to learn more about public service and its impact. I’m also passionate about advocating for education and increasing the representation of women in STEM. I want young girls, especially those who wear hijabs, to see that even if there aren’t many people who look like them in the field, they should never give up on their passions and dreams. I hope to inspire them to persevere, even when faced with challenges.