Murad Akhundov
Computer Science Specialist
University College
Why did you choose U of T for your undergrad?
It was a combination of several different factors. I already knew that I wanted to study computer science before coming here, and U of T seemed like a great place for that. I liked how the university offered a lot of different opportunities in academic research and Toronto is a major hub for the tech industry. I was also very keen on moving to a big city, so a downtown Toronto campus was a big plus.
What inspired you to study computer science?
I love solving puzzles/logic problems and building things, so I figured I would like programming. I also took a computer science course in high school. I really enjoyed it and got inspired to study CS further. Looking back, I definitely made the right choice.
Who or what at U of T influenced your education the most?
I found the first couple of theoretical computer science courses were very important. I already knew how to code before coming to university, but the theoretical side of CS was entirely new to me. The courses really taught me how to think differently, and how to communicate my reasoning in a very logical, precise and clear way. I think it is great that you get to take these courses very early on at U of T — this is not the case at all schools, unfortunately.
How did you get involved at U of T outside of your coursework?
I worked for about two years with Professor Marsha Chechik's lab. It was a really great learning experience to get involved with academic research. My work ended up winning a student research competition, and we are publishing a paper on it, which has been very rewarding. I would definitely recommend all undergrads to try to get involved with research, even if they are not planning on going to grad school.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your undergraduate degree, what would it be?
I kind of regret not taking more courses from other departments outside of math and computer science. I am very interested in geography and urban issues, and I feel like I might have missed an opportunity there. I also wish that I had gotten involved with research a bit sooner. It can be a bit overwhelming at first as there is no easy matching system, but it is well worth it.
What’s next for you?
I joined Okta Toronto as a Software Engineer about a month ago. I interned there last summer and it's great to be back!
This Q&A has been edited for clarity and length.