Chaitanya works for a leading provider of testing and analytical solutions for communication networks in India

Hi Chaitanya, what are you working with at the moment?

I am working at Spirent communications where my primary responsibility is to design and develop software systems for network testing equipment.

What can a regular day look like at your job?

In my position as a Staff Software Engineer at Spirent, I am primarily involved in the technical design of new features for our existing network testing product. Also, my job involves a significant amount of R&D work where I am involved in prototyping the next generation of network testing solutions. Apart from this, I am involved with resolving customer issues from the field, mentoring junior engineers and hiring new engineers to the team.

Why did you choose this programme at KTH?

I attended PESIT, an engineering school in Bangalore, for my undergraduate studies in Telecommunication Engineering. After graduating, I had plans to advance my technical skills in the field of telecommunications. Scandinavia, and in particular Sweden, has been at the forefront of shaping the global telecommunications technology. Hence, to pursue a Master’s in Communication Systems at KTH was a natural choice for me.

Are there any insights you acquired during your studies that have been particularly useful for you in your career?

I was fortunate to be offered two internships during my studies at KTH, the first one was at Nokia Siemens Networks in Espoo, Finland. This was a summer job for three months. The second one was for a master's thesis internship for six months at Fraunhofer AISEC in Munich, Germany. Both these internships gave me industry exposure and a chance to work with multi-cultural teams of different nationalities. As part of these internships I got to live in Espoo and Munich. Through these internships, I got to know the importance of diversity for an organization and also experience different cultures. These insights have been very useful in my career.

What were the best aspects of your studies at KTH?

The student life on campus as well as off campus was excellent. During my stay at KTH, I picked up learning to dance salsa and the parties at Lappis were some of the best ever. The after-exam party at Nymble - Tentapub was something to look forward to after an intense exam.

What is your best memory from your time at the university?

There are many but the best memory would be watching the India versus Pakistan match during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, with a group of Pakistanis. The screening of the match was arranged by Pakistani students in a campus pub. In cricket, the rivalry between India and Pakistan could be very intense. So, to watch a semi-final match along with my Indian and Pakistani friends is a memory that I would cherish for the rest of my life.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan on continuing to work for Spirent and gradually move towards a technical leadership position, where I can significantly influence shaping the technical path of the business.