Parool Didwania's Summer of AI at F5

PREVIOUS CAREER AND CURRENT INTERNSHIP

Previous position before MBA:

• Title: Product Owner
• Company: Ericsson
• Location: Gurugram, India

Summer Internship: 

• Title: Technical Program Manager Intern
• Company: F5
• Location: San Jose, CA

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HOW DID YOU SECURE YOUR INTERNSHIP?

I applied for the role through LinkedIn. Two weeks later, I received my screening interview invite, followed by a Superday, which had three interviews back-to-back.

WHAT WERE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE INTERNSHIP?

I am working as a technical program manager intern here at F5. For my summer assignment, I am working on an AI implementation strategy for the organization that focuses on employee efficiency, standardization and automation.

WHAT DEPARTMENT WAS YOUR INTERNSHIP WITH?

I am part of the technical program management team in the Secured Distributed Cloud unit (SDC) at F5. 

HOW DID YOUR MBA COURSEWORK PREPARE YOU FOR THIS INTERNSHIP?

Multiple things are helping me in this internship. First is the communication course, as it made my conversations with leadership teams very productive. Apart from that, a mix of concepts from Product Management, Data Analytics, and Strategy courses are helping me design the strategy to get the desired outcome. I am working on the business strategy part, and that involves bits and pieces of almost everything I learned in the last two semesters, be it finance, marketing or organizational behavior. 

HOW DOES THE INTERNSHIP ALIGN WITH YOUR CAREER GOALS?

Having a tech background, I always wanted to continue in this industry. AI being the talk of the town, I wanted to get firsthand experience with that, and this internship has allowed me to do so. I will be completing my MBA with specializations in marketing and strategy. This internship allowed me to work in a strategy role that will add to my technical career. 

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HOW DO YOU THINK THE INTERNSHIP WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR MBA STUDIES OR FUTURE CAREER?

F5 is a SaaS-based/cybersecurity company that aligns perfectly with my experience and career goals. Working with AI strategy strengthens my profile to excel in that direction.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?

My favorite part is the people. I'm engaged in an exciting project with brilliant co-workers and leaders, and it's the team environment that enhances the experience. The senior leadership at F5 embodies the “BeF5” values, which is remarkable. I’m never treated as just an intern. I even had the opportunity to meet the CEO, chief product officer and chief marketing officer. The cherry on top was presenting my project to the CPO. The accessibility and ease of communication with everyone make it the best part.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS?

It's important to present the best version of yourself to employers and those you meet but remember to stay true to who you are. Authenticity goes a long way. Be yourself but stay open-minded. The MBA journey is a time for growth and learning, and being adaptable will help you make the most of it. Embrace vulnerability and know that it's okay to feel uncertain at times. These moments can lead to significant personal and professional growth. The key is to bounce back, learn from the experience and work even harder.

Parool Didwania is a Full-Time MBA student in the Class of 2025.