Graduating from CMU again feels surreal. Not because it’s the first time, but because each time has marked a completely different version of me.
CMU wasn’t just about lectures, deadlines, or certificates. It was where I learned how to think clearly under pressure, build systems that actually work, and collaborate with people from wildly different backgrounds who all cared deeply about solving real problems. From long nights debugging code to hands-on projects that pushed me into edge computing, AI systems, and applied research, the experience shaped how I approach engineering and life.
Being surrounded by people focused on impact, not just theory, changed my perspective. The conversations, the friendships, the shared stress before demos, and the quiet wins after things finally worked all mattered more than I expected.
As I close this chapter, I’m grateful. For the mentors who challenged me, the classmates who became friends, and the version of myself that CMU helped build. This isn’t really a goodbye, just a checkpoint.
Here’s to CMU, and to whatever comes next.
