Texas A&M University Posse Scholar Maggie Pothugunta.
Texas A&M University Posse Scholar Maggie Pothugunta, a rising sophomore.

First-Year TAMU Scholar Earns Microsoft Explore Internship

Summer 2019 | Houston

Texas A&M University Scholar Meghana (Maggie) Pothugunta secured a spot in the elite Explore Microsoft program, an immersive summer internship intended for new students interested in careers in software development.

Maggie had doubts about finding a computer science internship as a college freshman—a feeling that only deepened when older students told her it was a longshot. With her Posse’s support, however, Maggie felt motivated to apply.

“My posse believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” she says.

With help from her Posse mentor, Maggie attended several on-campus career fairs which yielded three internship offers: a software engineering internship with Chevron, a data engineering internship with Home Depot, and, most enticing of them all, the Explore Microsoft internship.

My posse believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

Explore Microsoft is a 12-week summer program designed to encourage interest in computer science, computer engineering or a related discipline by familiarizing participants with the main phases of a product design cycle. The program will take place at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

Maggie aims to major in computer science and will use the Microsoft experience to gain a broader understanding of the field. During her time at Microsoft, she will spend equal time with both the software engineering and project management teams.

“This summer is going to be great,” Maggie says. “I’ll build practical computer engineering skills, and knowledge I can share with other future female engineers who were told not to have high expectations.”