This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?
I joined the community because I was driven to explore Microsoft technologies and their real-world applications. I wanted to give voice to my learnings and wanted to teach others about the revolutionary interventions by Microsoft.
What was being a Student Ambassador like?
Being a Student Ambassador is one of the most cherished moments of my life. It provided me with a ton of opportunities to grow and learn. There were regular up-skilling events, mentorship opportunities and activities conducted that helped my holistic personal development. Delivering sessions on AI helped me realize my passion for teaching. I will be ever grateful to Microsoft for providing me with this opportunity.
Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?
I had the opportunity to Co-Lead a Social Impact Project with Cloud Advocate Lee Stott. Our project was to create an app to detect Diabetic Retinopathy from images using Azure Custom Vision and Power Apps. Our project was a huge hit, and we got the opportunity to perform multiple Train-the-Trainer sessions. Our work was also highlighted at Microsoft Reactor. Working in a diverse team was an engaging opportunity where I learned so much about teamwork, collaboration and communal interaction.
Sanya, attending a Microsoft AI event.
Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?
I was exposed to AI through the Microsoft Global Student Conference where I presented an engaging insight on AI for Intelligent Transport. Since then, there has been no turning back for me. I frolicked initially with Azure Custom Vision, Computer Vision and Bot Framework services and instantly developed a liking for AI in social good and healthcare. I delivered multiple sessions on developing no-code AI tools for disease detection. My passion led me to bag research internships in leading research labs and institutes all over the world, including UT Austin, Carnegie Mellon University, IIT BHU, NIT Patna, Warwick and INRIA. The ambassadorship has been the flag-bearer of my journey to AI research.
Sanya poses next to a monument in Serbia.
What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?
The program is so much more than just the swags. It is a holistic learning experience and will transform your life for the better, if you know how to make good use of your time. I ended up discovering my true passion, making numerous friends, and gaining the confidence to address any crowd as and when required.
What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?
There are innumerable opportunities available through the program: certifications, upskilling events, networking opportunities, skill challenges, just to name a few. Try to explore all the possibilities before deciding upon your true calling. Your choice must not be driven by peer pressure or external influences: do what YOU truly want to do. Take your time and do not rush. The wait is worth it.
Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?
“The past can hurt, but you can either run from it, or learn from it. “This quote by Rafiki from the Lion King is one of my life mantras. There was a time when I was unhappy with my life choices and felt like I could not tap into my true potential. Maybe if things turned out differently, I would have been doing something different in my life. While it was depressing initially, I gathered myself together and decided that if I make good use of all the time that is ahead of me to carve my career trajectory, I would be able to achieve all that I dreamt of. So, I stopped running from my past mistakes, learnt from them, and am set forth on an amazing journey ahead!
Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.
I spent 3 semesters of my undergraduate degree at home due to COVID. When my institute re-opened and I saw my laboratory for the first time, I didn’t recognize an oscilloscope. I am an engineer.
You can follow Sanya Sinha here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanya-sinha942
InterNationallYou: (I create content on bagging internships and international university admits): https://internationallyou.quora.com/
Microsoft
