Nasiba Hashemi
Nasiba Hashemi completed the program last year, and returned as a program mentor for the second cohort. Hashemi is working on her undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering with the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering.
For Hashemi, an engaging and interactive instructor is exactly what she needed to be successful in her cohort.
“He’s so nice!” said Hashemi of her former teacher. “I always know that everyone is going to understand [the lesson] the first time with Mr. Todd, he’s just making life simple.”
Several students from the current cohort actually found the program through previous program graduates. Hashemi herself provided guidance to several students who showed interest in applying.
“I am especially thankful to the Arista team and the ASU team for creating life-changing opportunities for women,” Hashemi said. “I'm looking forward to seeing this program expand even further — reaching more women, empowering them to rise, lead, and create meaningful change, and to give back boldly to the country that welcomed us with open arms. When women are supported, they don’t just transform their own lives, they uplift entire communities.”
Thanishq Maddela
Thanishq Maddela, an international student from India, came to the United States with the intention of going to the best college possible for his field of study. After thorough research and applications, he chose to start his journey with ASU. Maddela is a junior working on his undergraduate degree in computer science with the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering.
“So many people helped me, and some of my friends are studying here, so they told me about ASU, and I liked everything about it,” Maddela said. “I read ASU magazines, I read newspapers, and I liked everything I learned.”
Maddela learned about the Arista Upskilling program from students in the original cohort, who encouraged him to apply.
Maddela said he enjoyed learning about Wifi and networking in alignment with his computer science degree, and for him, the future has broadened with his participation in the program.
“I don’t know what my future holds, but I’m currently enjoying the subject matter and I’m going to be better after,” Maddela said. “This is the best platform to learn everything about [networking] and this is helping me for my future.”
Amena Uril
Amena Uril is a graduate student who has earned her Bachelors’ in computer science and is pursuing her Masters in Artificial Intelligence in Business at the W.P. Carey School of Business.
Uril said a tour of ASU’s West campus and a conversation with an academic advisor switched her sights from business to technology.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do heavy coding,” Uril said. “I took a few computer classes, which I really enjoyed.”
Uril is intent on exploring her career field with the several skills she’s gathered from Arista, along with the skills she’s learned from her degrees.
“We are thankful to Todd, how he puts all the effort and time for us to get into it and learn,” she said. “It’s making a strong base, and it’s really important. We have an interesting class with hands-on experience.”
Looking ahead
The Arista Upskilling Training Program also gives these students training for networking jobs they could gain with the vendor itself upon graduation.
“[We are] absolutely looking to make this a pipeline program,” said Bonnie Wilde, executive director of community partners at ASU. “We had one of our previous cohort members go to work at Arista. We are trying to grow our relationship with Arista by training a pipeline of students that could also then be hired by Arista or into other companies that use the Arista products.”
The ASU and Arista Upskilling Training programs have carved several new pathways for international students to pursue fields in networking and technology – paths that these students are eager to take.
Terri Campos, Arista Upskilling program manager, said the eagerness and attentiveness of this cohort had been palpable since day one.
“The sky's the limit,” Campos said. “I have had nothing but very good feedback about their learning, how quickly they're catching on. They are very determined, dedicated students.”