Career Q&A with Computer Science Alum Fenil Gholani

Gholani (B.S. ’21, computer science; M.Eng. ’22, cybersecurity engineering) persevered in his job search and landed a software engineering role at Yahoo.

Why did you decide to study computer science at the University of Maryland?

I wanted to understand how technology works at a deeper level and build systems that have a real-world impact. Early on, my interest in coding was strongly shaped by Professor Nelson [Padua-Perez], whose teaching helped me genuinely enjoy writing code and problem-solving. As I progressed, Dr. Anwar [Mamat] played a key role in strengthening my data structures and algorithmic thinking, giving me confidence to tackle complex technical challenges. Later, Professor [Dave] Levin’s work and teaching sparked my interest in cybersecurity, helping me see how computer science and security intersect at scale.

How did you take advantage of opportunities on campus to pursue your career goals?

I was very intentional about using the academic and career support systems available at UMD. I worked closely with my academic advisors, Alyssa Ryan and Christine Bishamber (Denis), who helped me navigate my coursework, make thoughtful academic decisions and stay aligned with my long-term career goals. Their guidance helped me balance rigor with exploration and ensured I was building a strong foundation throughout my time at UMD.

I was encouraged by the leadership within CMNS, especially Associate Dean Robert Infantino’s focus on student success, which made me feel confident that campus resources and support are there to help students like me succeed beyond the classroom. 

What kind of career guidance and one-on-one feedback did you receive from the University Career Center @ CMNS? 


At CMNS, I received personalized and practical career support that helped me navigate a uniquely uncertain job market. Since my cohort experienced both in‑person and online career fair formats, I worked closely with [UCC @ CMNS Program Director] Becca Ryan to adapt my strategy to each environment.

Becca provided tailored guidance on how to present myself effectively in virtual settings, from optimizing my resume for online recruiters to refining my elevator pitch for digital sessions. She also coached me on managing different interview formats by simulating live and virtual interviews and providing focused feedback on my communication style and professional presence.

Her one‑on‑one feedback was instrumental in building confidence and clarity around my goals throughout the job search process.

How did your time at UMD prepare you for your software engineering role at Yahoo?

My experience at UMD prepared me for my software engineering position at Yahoo by giving me a solid foundation in problem-solving, systems thinking, and collaboration. My coursework at UMD challenged me to deconstruct complex problems and think critically, while my experience as a teaching assistant helped me develop strong communication skills to explain technical concepts to others and think about problems from different angles. My experience as a TA also helped me develop patience, leadership, and confidence, all important industry skills.

After undergrad, I decided to enroll in a full-time Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity program at UMD. I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of how secure systems are built, deployed and protected in real-world settings. I felt that this program would allow me to hone my ability to be proactive in thinking about the reliability, security and resiliency in software systems.

All of this led to my current role at Yahoo as a software engineer in product security. In this position, I work with engineers to identify and mitigate security risks, review designs and code, and help the team build secure products from the ground up. The technical and communication skills I developed at UMD are critical to my contributions and collaboration in my current position.

How have you mentored other Terps?

During my undergrad at the University of Maryland, I mentored other Terps as a teaching assistant. I led office hours and individual academic feedback sessions and assisted students with coursework and projects in conjunction with faculty members such as Dr. Louiqa Raschid (BMGT 406), Dr. Kunpeng Zhang (BMGT 404), and Dr. Hassan Ibrahim (BMGT 407).  

As an alum, I have continued to mentor Terps through career panels and professional discussions, collaborating with UCC @ CMNS and Becca Ryan to assist students in different recruiting contexts. In these discussions, I offered actionable advice on career exploration, interviewing and applying UMD coursework and experiences to the real world, empowering students to gain confidence and clarity as they make the transition from academia to industry.

What advice do you have for fellow Science Terps who are looking for internships and jobs?

My advice to those starting out is to remain persistent and proactive, leveraging every opportunity to learn and grow. Rejection is part of the process, but it's important to learn from it and remain curious, as it will lead to the right opportunity. 

Take advantage of the academic advisors, the University Career Center, the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education’s Academic Excellence Society, and the TA opportunities early on. These are all valuable experiences that help boost confidence and skills while providing valuable connections. Being a TA also gave me valuable mentorship and collaboration experience, both of which are highly transferable to industry.

 Another important factor to leverage is networking. Attending career fairs, info sessions, and campus events and generally being proactive about networking with alumni and peers can also lead to opportunities. Many opportunities come from relationships rather than just applications. It's also important to develop strong fundamentals, gain hands-on experience through projects or internships, and learn to communicate your growth.

CMNS students have access to career advisors and programs that are personalized to their unique career interests in STEM fields. In this Q&A series, we spotlight how Science Terps capitalize on the resources, support and guidance that the University Career Center @ CMNS provides. 

Make an appointment with Becca or another member of the University Career Center team by visiting umd.joinhandshake.com or emailing cmnscareers@umd.edu with any career-related questions.