Through Break Through Tech’s AI Program, Abhi Sathvika, a senior at the University of California San Diego majoring in Data Science and AI, discovered her passion for machine learning and gained clarity in her career path.
Published
11/12/2025
Written By
Fatima Asif
- Impact Stories
For Abhi, technology has always been about problem-solving and creativity. “I have always loved math, especially in high school, and I enjoyed the problem-solving and logical thinking that came with it,” she shares. When she discovered computer science, she realized it combined her love of math with creativity and real-world impact, setting her towards a career path in AI and machine learning.
Currently pursuing her degree, Abhi’s dream job is as a Machine Learning Engineer in Autonomous Systems, where she hopes to work on self-driving technology, autonomous drones, or robotic systems capable of navigating and making decisions in the real world.
Discovering Break Through Tech
Abhi first heard about Break Through Tech through Handshake. At the time she was a freshman struggling to find internship opportunities. “The AI Program immediately stood out to me because it offered an incredible learning experience tailored for beginners like me! An AI & ML curriculum from Cornell, completely free, followed by a hands-on industry project with an actual company, plus mentorship and other resources to support job search,” she explains.
“Break Through Tech AI is the exact stepping stone that all freshmen, sophomores, or anyone breaking into tech needs. It’s an opportunity to upskill yourself, gain real-world experience, and benefit from mentorship and networking events that support you throughout your journey.”
Hands-On Learning and Career Growth
Participating in Break Through Tech transformed Abhi’s confidence and career vision. “Before the program, I felt overwhelmed by how much there was to learn and uncertain about whether I belonged in AI. Through the AI Program, I discovered that I’m capable of tackling complex technical challenges and contributing meaningfully to real projects,” she says. “The program showed me that the tech field isn’t just about having all the answers, instead it’s about curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning.”
During the program, Abhi gained technical skills in AI and ML fundamentals, including RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), vector databases, ML models, and deep learning neural networks. Beyond technical knowledge, she developed leadership, communication, teamwork, presentation abilities, and perseverance.
Abhi also completed a Challenge Project for a startup, building a recommendation system that transformed unclean customer data into a strategic engine powering their commerce model. “This project mattered to me because it was my first experience taking raw, messy data and turning it into something that directly impacts business decisions and customer experiences,” she says. The system helps the company personalize experiences, increase engagement, and connect brands and retailers through intelligent recommendations. More broadly, the project showed her how AI can bridge the gap between data and human needs.
Advice for Future Fellows
Abhi encourages prospective students to embrace the program fully: “Don’t hesitate! This program is the boost you need to break into AI & ML as a beginner. Come in with curiosity and be ready to embrace the challenge. Take full advantage of the mentorship opportunities, ask questions without fear, and connect with your cohort. The community you build here is just as valuable as the technical skills.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Abhi hopes to work on innovative projects where AI and machine learning solve meaningful problems and make tech more inclusive. “I hope the future of tech, especially in areas like computing, AI, and machine learning, becomes a more inclusive space where diverse voices are represented. I also hope AI continues to be developed as a tool for good, helping humanity make important technological advances,” she says.
For Abhi, success is about curiosity, impact, and using AI to create real-world value. Whether teaching herself piano, cooking for friends, or building intelligent systems, she continues to explore, learn, and innovate while inspiring others to do the same.