For Sanskar Srivastava, the fall semester begins in two places: the classroom and the workplace.
The recent Arizona State University graduate is now pursuing an accelerated master’s degree in computer science through the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He is also continuing an engineering internship at Microchip Technology, where he is bringing artificial intelligence and machine learning skills into one of Arizona’s most important industries.
It is the kind of schedule that says a lot about what computer science education looks like now. Students are not just preparing for some distant future of work. They are entering it while they study, often in fields being reshaped by the same technologies that dominate headlines.
A way into the AI economy
AI is sometimes described as a threat to the future of work. For Srivastava, it has become a way in.
His story arrives at a moment when students are hearing two things at once. AI is changing the job market, and employers need people who know how to use it well.
“I would say yes, AI is impacting the job market, but you just need to grow with AI at this point,” he says.
That mindset has carried Srivastava through internships that put his skills to work in business and engineering settings. Before joining Microchip in March, he spent two summers at Deloitte as an AI and machine learning engineer, where he worked on data analysis, forecasting models and dashboard development
At Microchip, his title is engineering intern, but his work also centers on AI and machine learning. For Srivastava, the opportunity has been a lesson in how broadly AI can be applied. Inside a company best known for semiconductors, machine learning can shape the tools employees use to solve problems and keep work moving.
For students wondering whether AI will narrow their career options, Srivastava’s path suggests another possibility. The technology is changing the work, but it is also creating opportunities for students who can understand systems, adapt quickly and apply technical ideas in practical environments.
Classroom skills, industry speed
At Microchip, Srivastava’s days begin with team debriefs. Engineers discuss what they are building, what problems need attention and what needs to be delivered. Later come troubleshooting conversations, project updates and meetings about progress and deadlines. The pace has been one of the most striking parts of the experience.
“One of the biggest surprises has been seeing how fast a product can move when there’s a deadline approaching,” Srivastava says.
That pace has made his Fulton Schools preparation feel immediately relevant. Srivastava says classes in areas such as ethics and project management helped him adjust to the corporate world, where technical knowledge must work alongside communication, planning and responsibility.
“Project management has been especially useful,” Srivastava says. “At Microchip, I’m balancing multiple projects and learning how teams move work forward.”
Srivastava’s interest in computer science began early. As a child, he liked opening computers to see how they worked. Later, he began coding and participating in math and computer science competitions. When it came time to choose a university, ASU’s research environment stood out.
In the Fulton Schools, Srivastava found a place to turn that curiosity into a career direction. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2026 and then continued into the Accelerated Master’s degree program, which allows high-achieving students to begin graduate coursework while completing their undergraduate studies.
For Srivastava, the pathway has helped maintain momentum. He is both continuing his education and using that knowledge in real professional settings while preparing for the future. Next, he is considering pursuing a doctoral degree, with research interests in machine learning and a goal of doing work that helps people.
Srivastava says faculty mentorship helped turn his interest in computing into a more focused direction. He worked with K. Selçuk Candan, a Fulton Schools professor of computer science and engineering whose research uses data science and AI to address problems in areas such as public health, sustainability and decision support. Through that experience, Srivastava began to see AI and machine learning as tools for solving consequential real-world problems.
“What stands out about Sanskar is his eagerness to keep learning,” Candan says. “AI is moving quickly, and students who can combine technical skill with curiosity and adaptability will be well positioned for the opportunities ahead.”
Outside of class and work, Srivastava still makes room for sports. He watches soccer, football and tennis, and is a diehard Argentina fan.
In the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Srivastava’s story captures the emerging reality of the AI era. The same technology that has made students nervous about the future is also becoming the skill that helps them flow into it. At ASU, students are learning to do more than watch that shift happen. They are learning how to use AI in labs, classrooms and professional settings where the technology is already changing the work.
