The BETA Magazine: Issue 1

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COORDINATOR, WRITER

Hi everyone! I'm Shamsi Mumtahina Momo, an international student at Brandeis University from Bangladesh majoring in Computer Science. I am the Magazine Coordinator and writer of the BETA Magazine. With an interest in innovation, particularly within the field of AI and entrepreneurship, I'm passionate about exploring its potential to drive positive change. Beyond the lines of code and algorithms, I'm interested in learning about AI's ability to bridge gaps, solve problems, and uplift underrepresented communities. For me, it's not just about the ones and zeros; it's about the collective impact we can create to make the world a better place using technology. Outside of class, you'll often catch me hanging out with friends in the games room, or in the library.

Shamsi Mumtahina Momo

class of ‘27, Business and Biology

EDITOR

Hi everyone! My name is Edward, and I’m super excited to be part of the BETA magazine this semester as the editor. I grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, and some of my hobbies are reading, working out, and learning new languages. I can speak English, Spanish, and French, and I’m currently trying to learn Portuguese and German. I’m a double major in business and biology pursuing the pre-med track, and I’m really interested in studying the intersection of these two important fields.

class of ‘27, Computer Science

Edward Lopez

WRITER

I am an Economics and History double major, and I am a writer for BETA! When I'm not rotting in the dungeon of the library, I am busy being the President of Brandeis Quiz Bowl. I love to read Greek, Latin, and Russian literature. I have also taught myself guitar, and I am also a big fan of Y2K music and video games.

Christopher Dech

class of ‘26, Economics and History

PUBLICIST

Hi, my name is Rebecca Leon, I'm an undergraduate senior majoring in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Climate Justice, Science, and Policy. I'm the current Publicist for the first issue of the BETA Magazine and I'm very excited for you all to read this amazing piece of work that our team has worked so hard to put together. I hope you are able to learn and engage with something new through these wellthought-out articles in this issue.

Rebecca Leon

Class of ‘24, Environmental Studies

WRITER

Currently a Sophomore Pre-Law student at Brandeis University and originally from Stamford, Connecticut. Brandon is an active member of BETA and an author for the inaugural edition of BETA magazine.

Additionally, Brandon is also a member and contributor to the Brandeis Undergraduate Law Journal as well as the Brandeis University Mock Trial Association. Outside of university, Brandon enjoys playing golf and tennis, and spending time with family and friends, especially his Shih Tzu puppy named Bella.

Class of ‘26, Business

Brandon King

EDITOR

I am a sophomore at Brandeis originally from Los Angeles, CA, and majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Architectural Studies. I am very interested in entrepreneurship and journalism, and I love how BETA allows me to combine all my interests while encouraging interdisciplinary learning and innovation.

Ifigenia Oxyzolou

CLASS OF ‘26, BIOCHEMISTRY

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Hi! I‘m Aamna, and I‘m the person who designed this whole magazine. I‘m from a small town in Oman. I love cats, sunshine, music, math, fun people, good literature, trying new cool things, and art (which is why I‘m here!).

I‘m very excited to be a part of this.

Aamna Tirmazi

CLASS OF ‘27, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS

CLASS OF ‘27, POLITICS

WRITER

My name is Allie, and I am an international student from Bulgaria. I am a co-creator of the first youth writing community in Bulgaria, and writing has been my passion since I can remember. I love writing everything—from children's stories to poems and articles. I am honored to be one of the authors at the BETA Magazine, as I can share my passion for writing and innovations with other young, ambitious entrepreneurs!

Alexandra Ladjeva

WRITER

Eyal has always had a deep passion for entrepreneurship which led him to found BETA during his second semester at Brandeis, and serve as the club’s first CEO for three semesters. This semester, Eyal has been between California and Mexico City working on his own mobile consumer app startup. He is set to graduate this May with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science.

Eyal Cohen

CLASS OF ‘24, Computer science

Tech innovations Exploring the latest technological advancements, disruptive innovations, and emerging trends. This section will feature product reviews, analysis, and expert opinions.

Google’s New AI: Amidst the dawn of a new era of innovation, machine learning models have risen to prominence as one of the most widely discussed accomplishments in technology. In the 21st century, AI is now being developed to optimize workplace productivity, bolster cybersecurity, and power large language models like ChatGPT. Google’s newest machine learning model, Gemini, made waves when it was first released in December of 2023, with Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, promising it will be the “largest and most capable AI model” yet.

Key Features One of the key selling points for Gemini is its multimodal design. As the word “multimodal” might suggest, Gemini can process several data types, including text, code, audio, images, and video. Given Gemini’s ability to analyze and respond to multiple inputs, the capabilities of Google Gemini are farreaching and comprehensive. The following are just some current expectations for the AI model: Gemini has shown sizable promise in its ability to generate high-quality code in various languages such as Java and Python.

The new AI model has the unique ability to provide real-time language translation, which has important implications for global communication.

Gemini is very flexible, allowing different industries to customize it to their needs.

Gemini is expected to fascinate through its emotion recognition capabilities.

A Major Flaw in Gemini One of Gemini’s key selling points is its image generation. Unfortunately, Gemini has faced recent scrutiny over being “too sensitive and cautious” when it comes to image generation. In particular, the model will either refuse to respond to innocent prompts or create inaccurate representations of historical figures for the sake of promoting diversity. After sizable backlash from the public, image generation was paused on the platform with expectations that it would return following corrective changes to the model. Gemini is currently undergoing extensive testing to get to the root of the bias issue.

Impact of Gemini The future implications for Google’s Gemini are nothing short of extraordinary. Its ability to translate languages in real-time will revolutionize global communication, propelling us into an era of unprecedented collaboration. Moreover, Gemini’s ability to make data-driven decisions based on big data has huge implications for the world of finance, retail, and entertainment, offering potential avenues for enhanced efficiency and innovation. Despite the potential benefits, Gemini’s high degree of automation is a valid concern for many working individuals. The future demands that corporations experiment with Gemini to find the optimal balance between AI integration and the preservation of jobs. Thus, while Gemini represents boundless possibilities, its successful integration hinges on thoughtful navigation of its opportunities and challenges alike.

Written by by Edward Lopez and edited by Aiden Sanchez

Sources: https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2017/history-artificial-intelligence/ https://www.softwebsolutions.com/googles-gemini-ai-features-uses-and-industry-impact https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-gemini-ai/#sundar-note https://blog.google/products/gemini/gemini-image-generation-issue/

Innovators at Brandeis: An Interview with Marco Qin ‘24 and Ivy Tran ‘26 How do great ideas become a reality? What is the path to becoming a young innovator in the tech industry?

Marco Qin ‘24 and Ivy Tran ‘26 spoke about their team’s tech innovation pitch, which was born during DeisHacks, taking place from January 26-28. Their project was also chosen to be one of the topics at the Asper Pitch Summit, which took place from February 9-10. Ivy is a sophomore at Brandeis majoring in Economics and Business, with minors in Computer Science and Theater Arts. Marco is a senior at Brandeis majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. With their teammates Mahmoud Salah ‘24, and Phebean O. ‘25, they created a Chrome extension that uses the Language Learning Models (LLM) to draft newsletters in support of nonprofit and fundraising organizations.

Organized by Vincent Calia-Bogan ‘25 and Erica Hwang ‘25, DeisHacks is a 48-hour annual hackathon during which students aim to make a change by supporting a local non-profit organization in achieving its mission.

Teams have to choose one of 15+ organizations for which to propose a solution. Ivy’s team chose Hope Worldwide Massachusetts, whose mission is to “change lives through the compassion and commitment of dedicated volunteers to serve local communities and abroad.” Her team was committed to supporting the organization which was struggling to attract new donors. Their approach was to begin by researching “what the most effective way of attracting new donors in a non-profit organization is, which turned out to be newsletters.”

After conducting thorough research, the team worked on an algorithm that could help the organization in production of newsletters. They “utilized the Language Learning Models to create a Chrome extension that transforms data into narratives. With one click, the extension reads through all the PDFs in the organization’s drive to produce a newsletter,” says Ivy. As the organization has a shortage of volunteers, the Find Hope extension uses AI to save time and improve the efficiency of newsletter writing. At Deishacks, the project won an award for Best Use of Emerging Tech.

Although the non-profit did not implement the Find Hope extension yet, Ivy’s team hopes to share it with more nonprofit organizations to attract donors and volunteers. Around two weeks after DeisHacks, Marco participated in the second-ever Asper Pitch Summit, where he and his team won first place. Marco, along with Shihui Rao 24’, Erica Egleston ‘25, and Faiqa Butt ‘24, worked on a DeisHacks project to create book corners featuring fun books and the brochures of the organization More Than Words, which helps underprivileged teenagers find jobs and have equal opportunities. In their pitch, the team talked about how “in modern days, people are spending so much time on their phones, and what is really needed are book corners where people can do something fun as well as learn about an empowering nonprofit organization.”

Through the DeisHack hackathon and the Asper Pitch Summit, Ivy and Marco forged paths into tech innovation and gained a new perspective on entrepreneurship. By implementing an effective newsletter algorithm, the Find Hope extension could transform the lives of millions of people.

WRITTEN BY ALLIE LADJEVA AND EDITED BY IFIGENIA OXYZOLOU

winning solution Participating in Brandeis’ very own hackathon (DeisHacks) was not just a hackathon experience; it was a journey that left a mark on my personal growth. The camaraderie, innovation, and sheer determination witnessed during the event were inspirational.

One of the most memorable aspects of the event was the unexpected friendships that I gained. Before DeisHacks my team comprised of Tobei Nakajima ‘27, Mandy Reyes ‘27, and myself; I had only spoken to both of them once before. However, as we delved into the challenges, it felt as though we had been friends for years. Our ability to adapt proved vital in navigating the hurdles that came our way.

We initially set on developing a virtual translator, but we soon realized the need to pivot as the idea had already been explored in the previous year. As a team, we collectively believed that keeping an open mind would be a great way to listen and learn. With this mindset of openness, we talked with event coordinators, mentors, and fellow participants, gathering insights that ultimately led us to our winning solution - a museum escape room. This 'needle in a haystack' concept resonated deeply with us, reflecting our passions and personalities.

Central to our project's success was our collective love and dedication to the Charles River Museum and the escape room concept. Immersing ourselves in the museum's ambiance reinforced our commitment to the project. The museum, with its captivating displays of antique cars, trains, and industrial equipment like the Fourdrinier machine, served as our muse. I encourage everyone to visit the Charles River Museum.

We are steadily moving towards the project's release date at the end of April. As a murder mystery game that requires solving riddles and competing against your friends, securing funding remains a priority. We are actively exploring avenues to propel our vision forward, leveraging our shared dedication and enthusiasm.

In hindsight, DeisHacks was more than just a hackathon; it was a testament to the power of collaboration, adaptability, and unwavering passion. Our journey exemplifies the transformative potential of innovative thinking and the profound impact it can have on interpersonal connections and building relations. As we embark on the next phase of our project, we carry the invaluable lessons learned and the enduring bonds formed during this extraordinary experience.

WRITTEN BY ISABELLE YANG AND EDITED BY EDWARD LOPEZ

Startup spotlight Profiles of innovative startups, highlighting their founders' stories, challenges, and the solutions they bring to the market.

Career Prudence from Prudential While I was thinking of who to interview, I remembered my old friend Quinn, who had just graduated this past Spring. I reached out to her asking if she’d like to spend some time talking about the path that led to this job. I managed to catch Quinn on a day off from work, thanks to Presidents’ Day. By complete coincidence, she was wearing her Brandeis Judges sweater With complete transparency, I did edit this a bit for clarity’s sake.

Here’s a few things that I asked her:

First, can you tell me what class you graduated from and where you are now?

Quinn: I graduated class of 2023 with a double major in Economics and International and Global Studies. After Brandeis, I went to live in New York to work as a risk analyst in the Risk Management development program at Prudential.

Cool, and can you tell me a little bit about your path and how you got there?

Quinn: Yeah, I'll tell the full story. So I came to Brandeis really not expecting to be an Economics major and then I just sort of fell into it. I became an Economics major and after I started, I wanted to go the route of nonprofit or other types of business maybe. And in my sophomore year I did a World of Work internship with a nonprofit called United for a Fair Economy which was really helpful. It was my first big girl internship and I learned a lot from it, and I came away from it thinking maybe it was time to switch it up, try something new. So then I went to the London School of Economics on study abroad for my junior year. And there I made really good friends with somebody who had already interned at Prudential and was going to go back for a second summer. And they told me like, hey, I know you're looking for internships, you should look into Prudential – so I applied. I did a Super Day for internships and I applied for 3 roles, and I got offers from 2 and I picked the Risk Management internship program.

And what do you think is a key tip to applying for internships that you learned?

Quinn: One thing I’ll say about applying for internships. And this is something everyone will tell you but it just can't be stressed enough is how early you want to be. You want to start looking and applying and creating your resume way earlier than you think you do.

Another thing is don’t just apply to companies that are coming to our career fairs. Look outside of Brandeis for a broader range of possibilities. There are definitely organizations that don’t come to Brandeis but are still great places to work. And I ended up at Prudential because I was told by somebody else to apply there, but it made me really think about how students sometimes confine themselves just to the career fairs when there’s so much more out there.

Do you think you had to do a lot of extra preparation outside of school for your job? Or did your major prepare you as needed?

Quinn: For people who are Economics students at Brandeis, they’re getting exactly what they need, and I think my economics degree got me the credentials I needed for my job. And while there are some things I’m learning myself, at the same time, there are a lot of places where a good background in the theoretical really helps. Plus anyone can use Investopedia. Anyone can take an Excel course. So it's all available to you.

Do you feel like it's easier to strike a balance between what feels moral to you and what feels practical to you? All considering how today we're becoming more and more conscious of not only what job we work, but also the impact that job has in the niche that fills in our society in general.

Quinn: I've been thinking about it for a long time. Especially because, again, when I came to Brandeis, I did not think I was going to be an Economics major and then I really didn't think I was going to go into finance. And then I convinced myself I was going to go into nonprofit work because it's “the right thing to do.” Or try to be in the arts

or something. And then, as I continued at Brandeis, I gained new passions and interests. And the feeling of need to follow those other career paths fell away. I've come to realize that morality is not equal to following each and every whim you have when you’re a freshman in college. I don't know how exactly to say this but I think a lot of people equate a job’s morality with how well their freshman self would think of it. And that's not quite the same thing. A lot of people think that if a job sounds boring or if a job sounds like finance or techie or insert adjective here, then it must be immoral. And I don't think that that's the case. I work for a life insurance company, and at the end of the day, what they try to do is create life insurance policies for people so that if something happens to them, their family will be taken care of. Furthermore, I work for the Risk Management department, so I actively work for a part of the company that tries to keep us as ethical and as good to our clients as possible. I might not have thought when I was eighteen that I’d work in finance after college – again, I didn’t even think I’d study Economics. But that doesn’t mean that my job is bad, or that it doesn’t make me happy now that I’m twenty-two.

I think this is a lesson in open-mindedness that a lot of us would benefit from learning.

Besides starting early, what advice do you have for people looking for internships and doing their interviews.

What do you think is useful advice that isn't said enough?

Quinn: I mean I'm in kind of a unique situation. I applied for an internship at a large corporation that was recommended to me by a friend. And now I've done an internship and I've worked there for half a year. But my best advice is to ask for advice from others. Ask for advice from your professors, from your friends, from your family – just from people who you think know better than you. Like, what would have happened to me if I had not made friends with this person and had never asked her for advice on my internship process? I never would have gotten the application in on time. I never would have gotten the interview. I would have been on a completely different path. I was certainly a person that thought I could do it all on my own and I didn't need any guidance.

And that turned out to be markedly false. So, to the best of your abilities, find out where people you trust have had good experiences, ask for advice, and go from there.

WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER DECH AND EDITED BY IFIGENIA OXYZOLOU

Reshaping the Bluetooth Speaker: Pangissimo Pangissimo is what happens when engineering students at Boston University combine their passion for quality audio products and the customer experience.

Pangissimo began as an entrepreneurship class project. The team wanted to bring a quality surround sound product that was also portable to consumers at a reasonable price. Since then, they have become the winning team at entrepreneurship contests at BU and ex CES, one of the largest tech trade shows in the world.

“We definitely stand out. Our main focus is on the design of our product,” says Constantine Hartofilis, cofounder of Pangissimo. “Our mission statement is around developing and bringing to market innovative new tech products focused on modular technology and making our customers experience with the technology more user friendly.”

Pangissimo certainly does stand out with their flagship product, the Single Input Multi Output speaker, or SIMO, for short. A compact, modular Bluetooth speaker made up of four individual speakers that can pair together, or all separately. But it doesn’t stop there. You could even “control 8, 12, 16 or more subunits all from one device,” reads the Pangissimo website. They also have a sound bar coming soon that seems to be able to pair with the preexisting SIMO products as well; quite the impressive feat.

“We always like to say the kind of the portable speaker market right now is kind of the same sorts of products year after year, whether it's a Bose SoundLink or a Beat Pill or JBL Flip,” says Hartofilis. “But where we differentiate is the uniqueness of our product that just enables you to take some on the go with like the magnetically connected speaker form factor.”

But it’s not just the form factor of Pangissimo that should impress a potential buyer. The SIMO X, the updated form of the SIMO, plays an impressive 60 to 20,000 Hz, providing the listener with a beautifully full range of sound. Meanwhile, the low impedance of 2 ohms, which measures how easily the speakers draw electricity, ensures volume without sacrificing clarity.

But perhaps where Pangissimo shines most brightly is in how they design around the user experience. Not simply for audiophiles, the SIMO X provides “value for the price point, for under $200 for 4 unit speaker system with pretty robust sound and quality.”

Where other speakers are oblong and clunky, each SIMO unit is just 80 by 80 by 45mm, or the footprint of a sticky note. Not only that, but the entire unit can be charged by just one cable when they are all connected magnetically.

“This is for the general user, someone who uses this in their dorm room or their home or apartment,” says Hartofilis. “Or someone who's constantly using this during travels and taking it on the go or people just using it in their backyards on a nice day.”

“Capital is always one issue. The second issue is… marketing and getting the word out to people because… for our products… it's kind of just like any other product where if you want to get in front of customers, you need to spend a lot in terms of advertising budget, whether online or in person. So that kind of goes back to funding. Still, getting the attention of customers is really hard when there's so many products and so much noise in the market. And then just third is just getting partnerships to work.”

“We’re focused more on R&D and marketing at trade shows getting our product out there. In the long term we're looking for licensing opportunities with other types of companies to introduce modular technology too.”

When I asked about any advice Constantine might have for any new businesses, he emphasized that the person who knows what’s best for a business is the owner themselves.

“Only you and your team know what's best… be very careful and stay focused on what you're trying to do in your mission.”

Another piece of advice Constantine gave was to be careful with planning and budgeting: “I think we're focused on being very lean and conservative until we guarantee things lined up.”

But perhaps one of his bigger pieces of advice was to simply try: “My advice would just be… don't be afraid to just meet new people, ask them questions and ask for help. The worst thing that can happen is someone will say no. Focus on the people who are willing to help you, there are people who will do a lot and help you for free or just because they're passionate about seeing people succeed in different things.”

Pangissimo is available online for purchase.

WRITTEN BY CHRISTOPHER DECH AND EDITED BY IFIGENIA OXYZOLOU

POST YOUR FEEDBACK FOR THE SECOND ISSUE HERE:

Global dreams, US obstacles College admissions is a hard process for everyone. The process includes standardized testing, writing essays, visiting colleges and universities, and sometimes interviews with admissions officers. Students spend tremendous amounts of time and effort, well over 100 hours according to education consulting company JRA, all for the mere unguaranteed opportunity of being accepted into at least one of the schools students apply to. While American High School students consider the college application process to be difficult, the process for international students is a significantly more difficult and competitive process. Students from other countries who want to study in the United States face the same challenges as American students, with three key additional factors: visa and Immigration policies, financial limitations, and differences in culture.

International students must obtain a student visa, typically an F-1 or J-1 type visa. Obtaining these legal documents is no simple feat, requiring months of work in the form of filling out forms, obtaining required documents, paying government fees, and interviewing with a United States government official. At the end of this process, there is no guarantee the student will be granted a visa. There are also significant financial considerations for international students. Many universities offer significantly less if not zero financial aid to international students, as this aid is not subsidized by the government. International students are often required to pay full tuition, regardless of their family’s financial situation. If an international student can afford tuition, they must also adapt to the cost of living in the United States. The cost of living could be much more expensive than in the student’s country of origin, adding additional stress and limitations on students' ability to study in the United States. Moving away from home is difficult for any 18-year-old; this difficulty is even greater when you are moving to a country where you may not know anyone, be fluent in the language, or have any experience living abroad. All of these factors limit and discourage international students from studying in the United States.

There are other difficulties international students face even if they can study in the United States, such as finding employment after graduation. Take Dipro Prattoy, an international student from Bangladesh who attended the University of Michigan where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. During an interview, he described his experience applying to jobs as “one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life.” Dipro applied to over 500 different jobs, going through several rounds of interviews with companies, at the end being rejected by many places due to broader economic factors such as the COVID-19 Pandemic and employers’ unwillingness to sponsor international students for a green card. Luckily for Dipro, he received a full-time offer at Crowe as a digital security consultant. However, the struggles he faced are not unique, but rather the norm for many international students who seek employment in the United States after university.

While it is certainly a challenge for many international students to study in the United States, for many it is a lifelong aspiration, as it provides an opportunity to provide a better life for both themselves and their family. This makes the entire process incredibly rewarding for those who can be accepted to and attend a university in the United States.

Written by Brandon King and Edited by Edward Lopez

JRA Consulting https://www.jraeducationalconsulting.com/blog/how-long-do-college-applications-take US department of State https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html

From Classroom to Ceo With success stories as great as those of Mark Zuckerburg and Facebook, or Steve Jobs and Apple, it’s easy to fall under the impression that such levels of corporate success are only attainable by first abandoning one’s formal academic pursuits. Of course, while Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Sergey Brin, and Larry Page are all examples of entrepreneurs who founded their companies at some of the world’s top universities, their decisions to drop out were often symptoms of an already existing demonstration of grand promise, or a drive so ardent that discontinued enrollment at university was no longer a question of “should”, but rather a internal compulsion brought upon near-certain expectations of prosperity. More often than not, however, there exist entrepreneurs that are uncertain of the future laid out for themselves. While the former decision is often painted as a dauntless act of courage, the choice to continue one’s studies while developing a company is equally as fearless. Our hope is to illuminate the success stories that back these multitaskers, and highlight the diverse paths to achievement that exist for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Take Dipro Prattoy, an incoming Digital Security Consultant at Crowe LLP. Originally from Bangladesh, Dipro holds a Master's in Management and a bachelor's in computer science from the University of Michigan. In August 2020, amidst the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dipro founded his college consulting company, DP Tutorials.

Throughout this process, Dipro worked concurrently as a full-time computer science student working remotely from Bangladesh. It was during this period, that Dipro recognized that while numerous Bangladeshi students aspired to study abroad, the vast majority of available academic service providers charged prices that were far out of the reach for a large number of these students.

Through his company, DP Tutorials, Dipro hoped to make these students' dreams come alive, by charging approximately $100 for their flagship program, a fraction of the cost of other college consulting services. DP Tutorials, now exists as a study abroad startup that offers international students from developing countries – primarily in Southeast Asia courses – resources, and training for the SAT, essays, college applications, visa processing, and skills for success that they can use in college.

While many people have aspirations for entrepreneurship, many choose not to commit to the incredibly stressful and time consuming process that is often implied by such undertakings – especially with the added responsibility of a full time job. When asked on how he balanced DP Tutorials with his full time job at Crowe, Dipro stated, “I think the question should be, ‘How did you handle DP Tutorials and your computer science degree?’ I think that was the toughest part.” His remarks emphasize the stress and challenges associated with the demanding nature of university, highlighting how both working professionals and college students face formidable workloads that significantly impact their ability to devote time to their venture.

Indeed, while our initial quartet, Zuckerberg, Gates, Brin, and Page all dropped out of university to focus full time on their company’s, their behavior demonstrates that even the brightest of entrepreneurs understand the challenges associated with the simultaneous building of a successful company and full-time academic career.

Looking back at Dipro’s story, it is remarkable that Dipro was able to accomplish as much as he did, given his international background and full-time career as a student at the University of Michigan. When asked about the future, Dipro explained that he hopes for DP Tutorials to expand beyond Bangladesh, and to continue providing for student’s who dream of studying abroad.

EDITED BY AIDeN SANCHEZ

Internships In-depth interviews with people from the tech in diverse sectors. These interviews will explore their journey, strategies, and visions.

From Moon Dreams to Martian Reality: Jeffrey's Experience in Jeffrey Kuang'24, an Economics major passionate about fostering FGLI (First Generation, Low-Income) student participation in economics, science, and business, took a giant leap closer to his childhood dream this past summer.

Kuang, who once dreamt of designing spacecraft for lunar or Martian exploration, landed an internship at the prestigious NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Beyond spacecraft and missions, Kuang's internship last summer at NASA focused on improving teamwork and communication. He streamlined processes for the Mechanical Fabrication and Test team and the Environmental Test Lab, making collaboration easier as they tackled mission challenges. He implemented the BlueCielo Meridian Enterprise system to improve document control, searchability, and workflow, ensuring compliance.

However, Kuang emphasizes that the internship's value extends beyond technical expertise. He highlights the invaluable personal growth he experienced, stating, "It was living alone in a new place," emphasizing the life lessons embedded within the experience. This growth equipped him for his future career and strengthened his role as the Undergraduate Departmental Representative (UDR) for the Brandeis Economics Department.

Attributing his success to the skills honed at Brandeis, Kuang identifies BUS51A: Introduction to Business Analytics with Excel as a pivotal course that equipped him with the necessary analytical skills. His advice for future applicants? Stay calm and confident. "The stress of the interview is all in our head," he shares. "Be honest about what you know, and don't overthink it."

Jeffrey's story inspires future generations, urging them to pursue their aspirations, embrace opportunities for personal development, and make meaningful contributions to their chosen fields.

Written by Shamsi Mumtahina Momo and Edited by Edward Lopez

Debbie Engelberg at When looking at schools that produce the most interns at the top financial institutions, the traditional “target schools” come to mind: the Ivies, Duke, Michigan, NYU Stern, and a few others. While Brandeis University is not thought of as a traditional “Target School” for these firms, it did not stop Debbie Engelberg from being accepted to an internship at one of the most prestigious financial institutions in the world, JP Morgan Chase.

Growing up in Austria, almost halfway across the world from Waltham, Massachusetts, Debbie had already built up an impressive resume. In Austria, she worked as an intern for the Chancellor's office, the head of the Austrian government, located in Vienna. During her time there she learned many skills which applied to her future career such as on-the-job thinking and decision-making to keep up with the busy and often dynamic schedule of the Chancellor's office. Following this experience, Debbie attended Brandeis University, where she continued her education and passions by double majoring in Economics and Computer Science while being involved in many clubs. For example, she served as the CEO of the Brandeis Entrepreneurship and Tech Association (BETA).

While looking for something to do over the summer, she did something many college students do, she applied for summer internships on Handshake. When she first saw the opportunity to work at JP Morgan Chase, she was immediately intrigued. After a long process of applying and eagerly waiting for a response, she received what very few applicants to JP Morgan Chase get, an invitation to interview. Given Debbie's computer science background, she applied for the position as an Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Summer Analyst. This meant that she had to complete an online coding assessment as well as an almost 3-hour interview with multiple interviewers, asking a variety of questions about her decision-making and technical knowledge and abilities. This was all for the opportunity to work as a summer intern at JP Morgan Chase, with no guarantee of getting the job. Luckily for her, she impressed her interviewers and was offered the coveted position as an Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Summer Analyst.

Despite her impressive qualifications for the position, Debbie was still very nervous during her orientation because she knew that she would be surrounded by other incredibly intelligent people.

Luckily for Debbie, she was placed on a team with an excellent manager who truly cared about and helped develop the summer analysts on the team. She helped work on some of the hardest projects offered to summer analysts. Examples of her projects include teaching full-time employees of JP Morgan Chase about artificial intelligence, its future, and how it can impact JP Morgan Chase. From this experience, Debbie took away the importance of accepting feedback, not being afraid to ask questions, and the importance of testing yourself to build up confidence.

Although she did not attend a traditional target school, she performed exceptionally during her time at JP Morgan Chase. She plans to return to the firm this coming summer and hopefully will work full-time for the firm upon her graduation from Brandeis this coming year.

WRITTEN BY BRANDON KING AND EDITED BY EDWARD LOPEZ

WORK IT: INTERNSHIPS

If you are a student, it is likely your career is constantly top of mind. The hunt for summer internships can be a very exciting and stressful pursuit, but the truth is that getting an internship, especially between Junior and Senior years, is likely the greatest career hack you can have during college.

Kind of like the old Buzzfeed show Worth It, where a couple of quirky folks try sushi at three different price points, I present to you: Work It, an article that describes what it’s like to intern at three different-sized companies, which could be most impactful to your career journey, and the best way to go about getting a job there (hint: get referrals).

Large Corporations (500+ Employees) Roles at huge companies with a lot of name recognition are typically the most sought-after among students. It makes sense too, there’s a lot of clout that comes with working somewhere that people have heard of. Not to mention that a lot of these companies have great benefits like free gym, health insurance, well-defined internship programs, nice offices, good job stability, and great pay. What’s not to like?

I experienced working at a large tech company during the summer of my Sophomore to Junior year. I secured an internship at a massive tech company, VMware, which has nearly 40,000 employees! My software engineering role was hybrid and from time to time I’d work at the vast Palo Alto-based campus headquarters where there was high-end inexpensive food, a gym, and nice work spaces.

Many of these large Silicon Valley tech companies place a strong emphasis on work-life balance. My colleagues were incredibly sharp and friendly, but our projects didn’t feel very consequential, our team worked at a relaxed pace, and the company’s successes were difficult to relate to our contributions. Although VMware is probably the most eye-catching employer on my resume, I certainly learned and accomplished the least.

How I got into VMware: A referral from a family friend in March before the Summer, followed by two interviews. Ask your parents, professors, and mentors for help getting a foot in the door. Most people don’t end up where they do through LinkedIn portals and job boards.

Medium Sized Businesses (100-500 Employees) Medium-sized companies like the one I worked for between my Freshman and Sophomore year, Skybox Security (350 employees), include some of the luxuries of a large corporation–decent pay and good job stability–but have a smaller hierarchical structure that allows interns to take on a wider variety of tasks and responsibilities. This can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the business and its operations. This also means that interns will have greater visibility by higher-ups. Medium-sized companies are the goldilocks of work-life balance; however, if you prefer a more comfortable work experience, large tech companies are probably the way to go.

How I got into Skybox Security: My dad was the CEO. Of course, most people don’t have a parent who is a CEO in their industry of interest, however, this is another reminder of how important it is to use any resources at your disposal to try to get a foot in the door of your desired career. At first, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to work at Skybox because nepotism by nature isn’t meritbased, but as someone who hadn’t had any work experience to that point, it would have been foolish not to attain that experience when readily available. Point is: do what’s best for you.

Small Business/Startups (<100 Employees) Working at a startup, while brimming with opportunities for rapid education and innovation, certainly comes with trade-offs. The volatile nature of startups means that the prospects of getting a return offer might not be as available as those in a more established company, leading to potential job insecurity due to financial instability or strategic pivots that the company may take. This uncertainty is compounded by the demanding work culture, where long hours and high pressure to perform are common. But to me, these are also some of a startup work culture’s greatest strengths. As a new employee or intern, you immediately get to wear multiple hats and take on responsibility for projects that would otherwise have taken much longer to own.

It’s also worth noting that, unlike at larger corporations, the fewer resources at a startup can mean fewer benefits and lower salaries. Despite these drawbacks, it is much easier to see the impact of your work, and there is a higher potential for rapid career advancement. The key is to weigh these cons against your personal career goals, risk tolerance, and what you value most in a work environment. If you would like to work at a startup but are concerned with the startup’s stability, check how much funding the startup has: the more funding, the more the startup has already proven to investors, which indicates that it’s more likely to succeed.

For my final Summer, I worked at a robotics startup called Fulfil (95 employees). Fulfil is a Series B startup with 60 million dollars in funding. Although my hourly rate was lower than in my previous internships, my colleagues were brilliantly hardworking and inspiring. They allowed me to take ownership of projects, and the company had excellent traction and great leadership. Due to its small size, chatting with company leadership was very accessible and I could see how my work advanced the company. As someone who loves entrepreneurship and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, working at a startup was most rewarding for me and aligned closely with my career goals.

How I got into Fulfil: I was referred to Fulfil by a family friend, which was followed by three hours of interviews. Companies prefer to hire individuals who have been vouched for, so it is ideal to get a referral. Startups can be hard to find, if you are interested in applying for startups, check out the YCombinator website for open positions at YC businesses.

Written by eyal cohen and edited by ifigenia oxyzolou

Women in Power In-depth interviews with women from the tech and business world exploring their journey.

Articles about prominent women in the industry uncovering their inspiring journeys.

SHATTERING THE SILICON CEILING We've all read the timeless wisdom encapsulated in William Ross Wallace's poem "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World." Today, we have the privilege of introducing you to a living embodiment of this sentiment: Kayla Becker. Kayla is not only a devoted wife and mother of five but also a passionate computer science student set to return to Microsoft for the third time as a SWE intern.

Kayla graduated with a degree in General Studies in 2011 and worked in retail and restaurant management.

However, when motherhood beckoned, Kayla made the courageous decision to stay at home and nurture her growing family. As her children gradually began their schooling, Kayla saw an opportunity to pursue her educational aspirations.

As a member of the Miami tribe of Oklahoma, Kayla got the educational benefits afforded to tribal members, enabling her to return to school. Despite her limited background in computer science, Kayla seized the opportunity to participate in the New Technologist Program, a collaborative initiative between Microsoft and Cyborg Mobile. Even though she lacked proficiency in coding, Kayla's authenticity and willingness to showcase her personality, and her candid acknowledgment of her coding limitations, set her apart during the application and interview process.

Reflecting on her journey, Kayla remarked, "What worked for me was my ability to authentically present my personality in the application process and my honesty about my coding abilities. Rather than attempting to feign proficiency, I shared my approach and perspective on problem-solving, even in the absence of coding skills. I emphasized the unique qualities I could bring to the tech field as a female, non-traditional student, and Native American mother."

Kayla's first internship experience paved the way for further opportunities. She was referred to the Microsoft Explore Program, allowing her to secure a position as an Explorer Intern. Her exemplary performance garnered recognition from her team, culminating in an invitation to return for the summer as a software engineering intern.

From navigating the responsibilities of motherhood to pursuing her passion for technology, Kayla has defied expectations and shattered barriers at every turn. Her story serves as an inspiration, not only to aspiring engineers but to anyone striving to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. As Kayla continues to make her mark in the tech industry, her unwavering dedication to embracing her identity and her unique perspective reflects the profound impact of diversity and inclusion. Through her journey, Kayla reminds us that with perseverance and authenticity, anyone can chart their path to success, regardless of background or circumstance.

Written by Shamsi Mumtahina Momo and Edited by Edward Lopez

Women in Power in the 18th Century How many women entrepreneurs do you know today? Do you know how it all began? We will focus on two inspiring women, Eliza Lucas Pinckney and Mary Katharine Goddard, who changed people’s perception of gender at the time and left a mark on US history. Eliza Lucas Pinckney was the first person to develop the indigo industry in the USA (1722-1793). Mary Katharine Goddard (1738-1816) was the first woman publisher in the USA and made the first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence (1776). To set the stage, let us first explore how the 18th century looked for women in the US.

In the 18th Century United States, women had minimal rights. They were not allowed to vote, and to participate in any legal matters in most states, they needed a male guardian. Women's roles were mainly running the household and helping their husbands. Marriage was the main goal of every woman, and as a result, women in the workforce were extremely uncommon at the time. However, some women decided to break social norms and pursue their passions, and that eventually led to the first real-life examples of women in power.

Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1722-1793) was born in Antigua, where her father worked as a lieutenant governor. Since she was little, she had a passion for botany. She was sent to a boarding school in England, where she was exposed to a limited amount of subjects, such as languages and music, but her love for botany never died. Her education taught her about life and what it had to offer, and as she once said: “education, which esteems a more valuable fortune than any could have given, will make me happy through my future life.”

When she was 16 years old, Eliza, her mom, and her siblings immigrated to South Carolina, where Eliza took charge of her father’s plantations. Eliza began a business that exported indigo to Great Britain, as indigo dye was in great demand in the country. The indigo industry grew rapidly, as exports rose from 5000 pounds to 130,000 pounds in just two years. The indigo industry became the second-largest agricultural industry at the time. Eliza Pinckney was the first woman to be presented at the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame. Today, indigo can be found both as South Carolina’s official color and in its flag, paying homage to Eliza Pinckney’s mark on US women’s and agricultural history.

Moving on to the northern colonies, Mary Katharine Goddard (1738-1816) was born in Connecticut to a family in the printing industry. Her mother was an educated woman who taught her daughter reading and math at home. Mary Goddard attended public school for a limited amount of lessons. Mary’s older brother was a young entrepreneur, who worked as a publisher in Rhode Island’s first newspaper. At the age of 32, she took charge of her brother’s Maryland Journal. She wrote influential articles about the American Revolution as well as articles that supported women in their homespun movement against British textiles. In 1775, Mary Goddard became Baltimore’s postmaster and she was the first person to make a copy of the Declaration of Independence. However, her brother removed her from the Journal. When Mary Goddard contacted Washington for support, no one contacted her back. She lived humbly for the rest of her life, running a bookstore. Nevertheless, Mary Goddard left a profound mark on US history.

Written by Allie Ladjeva and Edited by Edward Lopez

Sources https://www.nps.gov/chpi/learn/historyculture/eliza-lucas-pinckney.htm https://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2008/09/eliza-lucas-pinckney.html https://biancawhitewrites.com/female-entrepreneurs-in-the-nineteenth-century/ https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/living-history/to-makes-ends-meet/ https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-history-of-womens-work-and-wages-and-how-it-has-created-success-for-us-all/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/mary-katharine-goddard-woman-who-signed-declaration-independence-180970816/

BETA EVENTS Timeline and Silicon Valley Trip

THE BETA TIMELINE

2023-2024 BETA TECH TREK Spring Break: Embarked on the adventure of a lifetime with BETA's Silicon Valley Tech Trek!

The Tech Trek cohort met with tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, gaining exclusive insights, and expanding their network in the heart of innovation.

HARVARD MIXER EVENT March 1st: Harvard Innovation Labs buzzes with energy as the Cross-University Student Innovators Mixer kicks off! BETA Connects with visionary minds from MIT, Harvard, and more, igniting their entrepreneurial spirit.

BETA Recruiting event March 6th: BETA hosts a vibrant networking and networking event, where students and professionals mingled with alumni from leading companies like Microsoft, HubSpot, and BirdDogs. Attendees seized the opportunity to forge connections, exchange career insights, and expand their network within and beyond the Brandeis community, enhancing their career prospects in the process.

2023-2024

SILICON VALLEY TRIP Around the world, Silicon Valley is recognized as one of the foremost hubs of technological advancement and entrepreneurship. Today, some of the biggest names in innovation like Google, Meta, Adobe and Airbnb have headquarters nestled snugly in the sun-kissed landscapes of the California tech hub. Behind the buzz that is generated by these companies’ stunning parks, gargantuan headquarters and cutting-edge projects, there are thousands of ambitious entrepreneurs looking to make it big in the competitive domain of startups that dot the area. Amongst this group is BETA’s own tech trek cohort, composed of thirteen tenacious students who were selected to attend a 5-day stay in the San Francisco and San Jose area. Organizing and leading the trip were Emily Wohlgemuth and Sarah Baskin, two Brandeis sophomores who worked tirelessly to schedule meetings at some of the biggest companies in tech and services. With various interests ranging from fashion, business, healthcare and beyond, this trip was bound to be one filled with a range of perspectives and insights; not only would the trip be an exploration of entrepreneurship, but also an opportunity to delve into the human aspects of compassion and understanding. Lucky enough to score a spot, I was thrilled to get to know my fellow trip-goers and learn from a handful of the many Brandeis alumni who would go off to do extraordinary things in the world of business development and leadership.

On the first day of our trip we met with Paul Walborsky, founder of OpenWater Group and cofounder of the now Meta acquired, AI.reverie. As we sat behind plates of beautifully cooked Norwegian salmon and chicken toscana, we delved deeply into what it means to found a successful startup. Over lunch, we discussed topics like 1st principles, the prediction and early innovation of emerging technologies, and the strategic rollout of one’s product to the world. In talking to us, it was clear that Paul had a remarkable knack for teaching lessons through the medium of storytelling. Paul’s journey, from a humble upbringing in Mexico, to a prosperous leader in the world of entrepreneurship was nothing short of inspiring.

On our second day, we had the privilege of meeting with a startup company, Ultima Genomics.

Founded and led by pioneer, Gilad Almogy, Ultima Genomics aims at increasing the efficiency of DNA analysis, thereby lowering the cost of gene sequencing, and opening up the opportunity for rapid advancements in biology and human health. Decorating the facility were Ultima’s new UG-100 sequencers, a revolutionary piece of technology that replaces the traditional flow-cell with a silicon wafer. Having worked in the semiconductor industry himself, Gilad saw an indispensable opportunity to use these silicon wafers to make great strides in the world of genomics. In addition to their larger surface area, these silicon wafers used in combination with the UG-100 allow for the increased accuracy and efficiency of base pair reading – an overall improvement to the flow cell used by the majority of Ultima’s competition.

Our tour through the facility not only demonstrated the incredible capabilities of UG-100, but also wow’d us through the effective use of compartmentalization in the company’s workflow. While everyone worked on their designated task, communication between factions was effective and facilitated advancement toward their larger goal.

After our tour we sat down with Gilad to discuss the backstory concerning the start of the company, work-life at Ultima, and a multitude of technical topics including, domestic and international relations, production, and distribution of Ultima technology.

As we bid farewell to Gilad, we couldn’t help but feel inspired by the passion and dedication that imbued the Ultima Genomics team. As we headed off to our next destination, we carried with us not only Ultima Genomics merchandise, but also a newfound appreciation for the possibilities that lie at the intersection of biology and technology.

After a small snack and some rainy weather, our cohort gathered at the Airbnb to meet with Adam Cheyer, the Vice President of AI experience at Airbnb. As we walked into the headquarters, we were greeted by a stunning showcase of modern architecture and furnishings that acted as testament to the cozy ambience that Airbnb strives to deliver to clientele. Led by Adam, we were ushered to a meeting room where introductions swiftly gave way to an impromptu exchange of inquiries from our cohort.

Adam, a masterful orator and empathetic listener, responded thoughtfully to all of our inquiries, delving deeply into the importance of passion, foresight into the future, and the ability to recognize that life is too short to waste it doing things you hate. The confidence with which he spoke was not one born of arrogance, but rather of passion, benevolence, and a unique groundedness. During our conversation, he also spoke of his many experiences with co-workers, including Steve Jobs, and the qualities that he found made Steve such an extraordinary entrepreneur.

Adam’s parting words of insight concerned the importance of finding the right co-founder, never losing sight of one’s vision, and always doing more than one thinks they are capable of. In the end, Adam’s advice was not only suitable for entrepreneurship, but also for all facets of our lives. Despite this rather straightforward meeting, our discussion with Adam was universally recognized as one of the most impactful of our entire trip.

Wednesday we gathered at Meta’s Menlo Park headquarters to meet with software engineer and recent Brandeis alumnus Luyi Bai. In our rather short time spent with Luyi, we were met with colorful architecture, playful room names, and an abundance of greenery. The vibrant town-like atmosphere, coupled with the beautiful California weather, made for an exhilarating experience at the Meta campus. Upon arriving at the center of the headquarters, we sat before a massive screen displaying the company name “Meta”' on its face. Here we discussed Luyi’s experience at Brandeis and the steps he took to score a leading position at the now trillion dollar company.

Following our short-stay at Meta, we met with David Eydus, a senior product manager at Adobe, San Jose. Upon meeting David, we were met with his vibrant smile and a warm welcome into the massive edifice that was the Adobe World Headquarters. With its neutral color palette and vibrant art installments to complement, the building exuded a modern sophistication that spoke to Adobe’s innovative spirit and creative ethos.

In particular, the Adobe atmosphere was one that fostered a strong sense of community and tranquility. Open to employees were free snacks, beverages, and, on this particular date, an opera ensemble that had come to perform at what are known as “The Steps”. It was clear from the beginning that Adobe is a company that places heavy emphasis on the comfort and cultivation of a positive work-life environment for its employees.

Following our tour of the building, David sat us in the panelist room, adding further to the welcoming environment by gifting us with a multitude of Adobe themed notebooks, water bottles, pens and notepads. Before we began the long awaited Brandeis alumni panel, we briefly discussed with David and two additional speakers, Rob O’Brian and Jared Hein, regarding their experiences and insights surrounding the world of product management.

We were then greeted by Ryan Xu, Olga Barykina-Tassa, Mark Goldberger, Jesse Yang, and two of our very own, Catherine Shi and Ivy Tran. With a number of experts in fields such as sales, chemistry, machine learning, and business, the presence of tech trek members Catherine and Ivy was instrumental in facilitating smooth discussion between the BETA cohort members and the remaining panelists.

Ultimately, the panel would prove to be a resounding success, significantly enriching the cohort’s understanding of navigating future occupational goals.

Following a rather long day three, day four was comparably less dense and bustling. That mentioned, day four was nothing less than exhilarating, as it marked our second to last company visit at the Google Headquarters (also known as the GooglePlex). There to guide us was Christina Snell, a business administrative partner at Google LLC.

Following a short wait in the Google Lobby, we were greeted by Christina, who had gathered over her arm a multitude of Google themed tote bags filled with merchandise. As she distributed the bags amongst our cohort, it was immediately apparent that Christina was a caring and outgoing individual who held immense consideration for our happiness throughout the trip — and as it would prove later on — in life as well.

As she led us through the lush green campus, we stopped to take plenty of photos in front of the various androids that adorn the pathways. On our way to the conference room, Christina informed us of her start at Google and how she greatly admires the work-culture that the company has fostered.

Upon our arrival at the conference room, senior manager at Google, Yiran Li, greeted and settled us with a warm smile. Together, Yiran and Christina represented the first women employees that would guide us through a company visit.

he discussion that followed was primarily female led, and for good reason, as it was also the first meeting in which both female members of BETA and Google got to discuss the topic of navigating entrepreneurship as women. Further, the intersection of womanhood and foreign residency made for an interesting and insightful conversation about the race against the clock that many international students must face. While it was recognized that there is no perfect solution to this particular problem, the importance of persistence and hope was agreed to be paramount in times like these.

To end things off, we discussed the topic of mental health, which in the competitive world of entrepreneurship – and more broadly, work – is a common occurrence that is important to learn how to deal with. In our discussions, Tina heavily championed strong and supportive communities, and

self-care practices such as meditation. Reflecting on this experience, our experience at Google underscored the significance of female leadership, and conversations surrounding mental health, offering invaluable insights into both professional and personal growth.

Wednesday we gathered at Meta’s Menlo Park headquarters to meet with software engineer and recent Brandeis alumnus Luyi Bai. In our rather short time spent with Luyi, we were met with colorful architecture, playful room names, and an abundance of greenery. The vibrant town-like atmosphere, coupled with the beautiful California weather, made for an exhilarating experience at the Meta campus. Upon arriving at the center of the headquarters, we sat before a massive screen displaying the company name “Meta”' on its face. Here we discussed Luyi’s experience at Brandeis and the steps he took to score a leading position at the now trillion dollar company.

WRITTEN BY AIDEN SANCHEZ AND EDITED BY IFIGENIA OXYZOLOU

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