Intern of the Week: Venkata Sai Harsha Kothapalli

Name: Venkata Sai Harsha Kothapalli

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Spring 2026

Major: M.S. in Computer Science

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): Platinum Business Services

Location of the Organization (City, State): Catonsville, Maryland

Title of position: Data & AI Intern

 

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

 I am currently working as a Data and AI Engineer Intern at Platinum Business Services, where I support the development and deployment of AI-powered applications for real-world business use cases. On a day-to-day basis, I collaborate with the team to build and improve intelligent systems that help clients work more efficiently. My responsibilities involve working across the full lifecycle of a project from understanding what a client needs, to helping design a solution, to testing and refining it until it works well. I spend a lot of my time communicating with teammates, reviewing how systems are performing, and making improvements based on feedback. It has been a hands-on experience that has taught me how technology projects come together in a professional setting beyond the classroom.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

 I first came across Platinum Business Services through the Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP), which connected me to local tech companies offering internship opportunities. Shortly after, I had the chance to meet representatives from Platinum at the UMBC Career Fair, which gave me the opportunity to make a personal connection and learn more about what the company does. That conversation left a strong impression on me, and I followed up by submitting my application shortly after the fair. The team invited me in for an interview, and I was offered the position not long after. The combination of discovering the opportunity through MTIP and then building that in-person connection at the career fair made the process feel very natural and gave me confidence going into the interview.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Handshake, LinkedIn or other social media

 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I have enjoyed most about my time at Platinum Business Services is the openness and trust the team extends to its interns. From early on, I was treated as a contributing member of the team rather than just a student learning from the sidelines. I appreciated that my ideas were heard and that I was given real responsibility on projects that mattered to the organization. 

 

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe my impact has come from helping bridge the gap between complex technical capabilities and practical business needs. By contributing to AI-powered tools and applications, I have helped the team deliver solutions that save time and reduce manual effort for clients. Beyond the technical output, I also made an effort to document my work clearly and communicate progress regularly, which I believe helped keep projects organized and moving forward.

 

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of every resource your university offers especially the Career Fair and programs like MTIP  because opportunities often come from conversations you didn't expect. Don't wait until you feel completely ready to apply, because the internship itself is where the real learning happens. And always follow up whether it's after a career fair conversation or a job interview. That one follow-up email can make all the difference.