Mahak Khurmi
Computer Science Specialist with a focus in Artificial Intelligence
Statistics Minor
New College
Mahak Khurmi describes her undergraduate experience as one filled with “ambition, dedication and transformative growth.”
The international student from a small city in northern India says studying computer science at U of T was “incredibly exciting” and “full of opportunities.”
Though adjusting to life in Canada was challenging, Khurmi notes her professors and peers were very supportive and encouraging.
“The welcoming atmosphere and helpful student communities made a big difference, providing the support I needed to thrive.”
Embracing co-curricular activities helped Khurmi find her way and inspired her to carve out her own path of leadership.
“Getting involved in student life at U of T was crucial for me because it gave me a sense of belonging and community,” says Khurmi.
“It was also my way of giving back to those who helped me transition and supported me throughout my university journey. I wanted to offer the kind of help and advice that would have benefited me when I first started. Plus, being active in student life helped me develop leadership skills and build lasting friendships.”
She served as a peer mentor for a Computer Science First-Year Learning Community and as a residence academic programmer for New College Residence. She also extended her leadership into the tech sphere through her involvement with the U of T AI student group where she helped organize the StartAI undergraduate conference, drawing in nearly 2,000 participants.
Throughout her undergraduate studies, Khurmi also pursued experiential learning through positions as a research assistant at the Medical Computer Vision and Robotics (MEDCVR) lab, a machine learning engineer at Huawei Canada and most recently, a software development engineer at Amazon.
“The practical experiences I gained outside the classroom have been invaluable,” Khurmi says, noting that these opportunities have allowed her to develop leadership, team management and interpersonal skills.
As she looks toward the future, Khurmi says she is eager to apply her experience and passion and leverage her skills in the fields of software development “to drive technological advancement and positive change within the global community.”
After graduation, Khurmi will be joining Amazon as a software engineer, where she will be exploring how machine learning can be used to enhance the customer experience.
As incoming CS students embark on their own journey at U of T, she encourages them to persevere.
“It might be tough at first, but you’ll get more comfortable with managing the academics over time, and things will get better. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it; there’s a whole community ready to help you succeed.”