Stories on Sandeep Gangarapu

Ten things for the last ten years

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 16:34:00 -0600

This decade coincided with my 20–30’s which is the time when your mind is molded. Here are the ten ideas that I take back from this decade.

“Well, Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.”
1. In the early 2010s, I firmly believed that pursuing a career in public service was the only path to making a difference in the world. This belief was challenged by a family member who asked whether my father, a businessman, had made any impact. He argued that anyone who genuinely works hard and has concern for others has the power to change the world. This conversation fundamentally shifted my perspective on various professions. It brings to mind the famous response of a NASA janitor when President John F. Kennedy inquired about his role. The janitor proudly stated, “Well, Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.” No profession is inferior. An Uber driver for instance, transports hundreds of people each week to destinations where they can make a difference. The manual scavenger clears gutters so you don’t have to. This train of thought also reminds me of a story I came across on HONY.
We overestimate what we can do in a week and underestimate what we can do in a year.
1. This marks my fourth year in the Ph.D. program, and there are days when I don’t feel super productive. Yet, every now and then, when I reflect on how far I’ve come, it’s truly mind-boggling. At the beginning of my Ph.D. journey, with my limited background in statistics, all I knew were concepts like mean, median, mode, and variance. Today, I can boldly delve into computer science or statistics research without feeling overwhelmed. This progress was only achievable by learning bit by bit every single day for the past 1300 days. I recently came across this quote, and it resonates deeply: “Dream in years. Plan in months. Evaluate in weeks. Ship daily.” - @dpatil. Navigating a Ph.D. is an incredibly tough challenge, but consistently showing up daily, regardless of circumstances, has been a game-changer for me during the rough patches. Every monumental task can be conquered by tackling it little by little EVERY SINGLE DAY.
A life lived for others is the life worth living.
1. Everyone questions the purpose of life and I did too, multiple times in the past decade. Money might drive a person, a goal might, love might, but do they provide happiness? prolonged happiness? I came to realize they might not. At least for me. 3 instances gave me prolonged happiness. First, when the stress of my Ph.D. overwhelmed me in my second year, I broke down in tears in front of my mom, and her comfort made me feel incredibly grateful for her support. I felt so glad to have someone with me who cares. Second, when my colleagues at Google expressed their appreciation for my help and mentorship. Third, when I was an instructor for an undergrad course. Every time I taught, I felt this profound sustained happiness. These experiences highlight the importance of family and selfless assistance. I’ve read that helping others is the most selfish act because it makes you feel good every time. Focusing on what you can do for others rather than what you need brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment. In times of conflict, I find it helpful to consider whether I am acting selflessly or selfishly.
2. Long time ago, I read an answer on quora to a question about the purpose of life which stuck with me. The person compared life to a party, where some people are hosts, some are popular, but everyone can enjoy themselves without feeling the pressure to be the life of the party. The idea is to contribute something, have fun, and leave without causing chaos. Life is similar—don’t take it too seriously. Bring something to the table, strive for enjoyment, and make your exit without leaving a mess behind.
If money is lost, nothing is lost. If character is lost, something is lost. But if health is lost, everything is lost!
1. One of my colleagues at Google said this during his farewell speech and nothing has stuck on my mind as much as this thought. Fortunately, I am blessed with good health so far but as I enter my 30’s, I can see the downhill. My hair doesn’t grow as fast, I catch my breath if I run for a minute and I cannot focus on a task for more than 15 minutes. What is the point of the rat race if you cannot enjoy the fruits of it owing to ill health. When I quit Google and joined PhD, made less money, it didn’t affect me as much. However, a day when my mental health isn’t good or if I am down with backache, I can easily notice the impact it has on day to day activities.
Perfection is the enemy of progress
1. This falls into 80–20 rule which says 80% of the work takes only 20% of the time and the rest 20% takes 80% of the time. For example, while making presentations, time and again I delve into making 1–2 slides that I already completed to look perfect. Adjusting the borders, aligning the text, changing font, etc.
Burning bridges is the easiest thing to do
1. It’s often harder to keep good relationships going with patience and empathy than just brushing people off and discrediting them. In our personal and professional lives, it’s way too easy to let our ego call the shots instead of trying to work together and giving others the benefit of the doubt. Sure, burning bridges might seem like an easy way out when we face conflicts or disagreements, but in the end, it only leads to missed opportunities and valuable connections going down the drain. By putting in the effort to really talk with others, understand where they’re coming from, and find solutions that work for everyone, we not only make our relationships stronger but also create a more postive atmosphere.
Our world has changed for the good
1. Despite the barrage of negative news and seemingly endless challenges that we face, it’s important to remember that our world has changed for the better in many ways. As noted by the Gates Foundation and various studies on health and mortality, global progress in areas such as education, healthcare, and poverty reduction has continued to improve. Violence has also decreased over time, and we now live in a more connected and technologically advanced and safe world than ever before. Recognizing these positive changes can help us cultivate an attitude of gratitude and inspire us to continue making the world a better place for future generations.
nanos gigantum humeris insidentes
1. We stand on the shoulders of giants. We see farther than them, have more wisdom than them because we stand on their shoulders, the same way the future generations will stand on our shoulders. Progress and innovation rarely happen overnight; rather, they are the result of countless individuals contributing their knowledge, skills, and ideas over time. Sometimes, tasks may seem overwhelming because we may not acknowledge that what may seem obvious to us is actually the result of the work of so many people across decades and even centuries.
If you are not a socialist in your twenties you don’t have a heart. If you are not a capitalist in your sixties, you don’t have a brain.
1. This quote encapsulates the idea that our perspectives often shift as we age and gain life experience. In our twenties, many of us are driven by idealism and a desire to create a more equitable and just society. However, as we mature and navigate the complexities of life, we may come to appreciate the need for balance between social and economic systems. Recognizing the merits and limitations of both socialism and capitalism can help us cultivate a more nuanced understanding of the world and also understand that everything has two side. Nothing is completly good or completely bad.
Discipline is freedom
1. Many people view discipline as a difficult or restrictive thing, but they often fail to see how it can actually offer them freedom. Establishing good habits and adhering to routines can create a framework that allows us to accomplish more and achieve our dreams. For instance, practicing financial discipline by saving, investing wisely, and living within our means can lead to financial freedom in the long run. By being disciplined in various aspects of our lives, we can ultimately experience greater freedom and autonomy, opening up more opportunities to pursue our passions and enjoy the things that truly matter to us.

Testimonials from girls who received STEM scholarships at VFF

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 18:39:00 -0600

These are the girls who were directly impacted by the donations we make at VFF-RDT. Reading these makes be double down on the commitment to continue this work and give it back to the community and those who need it the most.

Amrutalxmi

She is the first in her family to go to college. Amrutalaxmi is studying science and wants to become a software engineer. She is one of the 360 recipients of the RDT STEM scholarship.

Why I donate to Vincent Ferrer Foundation

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 11:36:00 -0600

Annual report 2020-21

Background

Vincent Ferrer started the Vicente Ferrer Foundation in 1969 with his wife, Anna Ferrer, in Andhra Pradesh, Anantapur. The foundation has funded three hospitals, an AIDS clinic, a family planning center, 14 rural clinics, 1,700 schools, some 30,000 houses and the planting of over 3 million trees. The work of the foundation has improved the lives of more than 2.5 million people. This is as of 2009.

Favorite writing - Motivation for Teaching and Research

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 14:03:00 -0600

💡 I wrote this as an application to a teaching workshop that got cancelled because of COVID-19. I wrote this with a lot of passion and I believe this is one of my best writing samples. Every time I read this, its puts a smile on my face.

I remember the words of the Provost of the University of Minnesota on the first day as a Ph.D. student at the Welcome Orientation “You get 5 years of your life to think big, fail big and make a lasting impact. Make the best use of it.” This is my fourth year in the Ph.D. program and these words cannot be truer. Every time I feel low, I remember the opportunity to explore the craziest of ideas with exceptional mentors, opportunity to stand on top and contribute to the work built by giants of researchers, opportunity to teach and inspire many others through my teaching and research. Academic research is frustrating, especially for a Ph.D. student, yet rewarding in the long term. The thought of working in an academic area for decades, grappling with problems that are hard, making progress every week, communicate complex things in a simple way to other researchers and students, getting those small wins like obtaining that result or finding evidence for your hypothesis is what makes me excited about an academic career in both short and long term.

Coffee origins in India

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 00:34:00 -0600

💡 The coffee grown in present-day India dates back to seven beans smuggled out of Arabia in the beard of a Muslim pilgrim.

Coffee is a very sensitive plant to grow. It requires ideal conditions of high altitude, adequate rainfall, shade, and a cycle of hot days and cool nights for a healthy crop. With the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats in the south of India providing these unique climate conditions, it is inevitable for Coffee to come to India and boom. India is currently the sixth-largest producer of Coffee in the world.

Things I wished I knew before I attempted a solo sub 2hr Half Marathon

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 01:40:00 -0600

Running a half marathon is difficult, but running it under an ambitious time target is a whole different ball game and sometimes is a matter of seconds. Every piece of information can help in shaving off those seconds which can be a difference between 1.59.24 and 2.00.34. This is a post for those who play with those margins. This is by no means an exhaustive list and is completely based on my experience alone. I made an 8 week customized Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 plan targeting a first-ever half marathon, that too a sub 2 hr one. I failed miserably on the race day with a time of 2.24.27. I noticed my mistakes, corrected them, ran another one a week later with a time of 1.59.24. If you care about the backstory of how this all came to place, read below, else, jump to the list of tips.

The gems from YouTube

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 22:16:00 -0600

This is a collection of unique and awe-inspiring videos I came across on YouTube. These are the videos that I come back to and watch them with the same enthusiasm as I did the first time. These are the videos, the ideas of which I discuss with my friends, and show them.

I wish I could give detailed descriptions for each and why I love them, but, I would be doing them a serious injustice.

A day trip guide to Duluth

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:34:00 -0600

I traveled from Minneapolis to Duluth and around for the third time yesterday and each time I go, I find that it has something new to offer. Duluth sits on the bank of Lake superior, the largest fresh water lake in the world by surface area. It is huge and spectacular. The view of Lake Superior itself is worth a trip. Duluth could be considered the northern frontier of Minnesota as Interstate-35 ends there. But, there is an entirely new world beyond. It definitely takes more than a day to see every place in and around Duluth, so, if you were to take a day trip, I would suggest visiting 3–4 places, else, you feel like you are always in a hurry and these places definitely deserve your full attention and a peaceful mind. Start early, come late, have multiple drivers so you have a relaxing day trip. There are too many beautiful spots in northern Minnesota to cover in a day. This guide is by no means comprehensive. It is for those who want to visit Duluth from Minneapolis, have a decent trip and want to be back by end of the day. Here are some places in the order that I loved.

Dear Little Brother ...

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:34:00 -0600

💡 I wrote this when my brother was just entering the workforce after graduating from IIIT Hyderabad with a Masters’. I was doing PhD at the time and I felt I should write to him something that he can hang on to during difficult times and also encourage him to give his best.

Dear Little Brother,

I cannot tell you how proud I am of your accomplishments so far and the fact that you will soon be a software engineer at Nvidia. You have now grown into a full fledged adult and life will change so much so fast. I have been adulting since I graduated college in 2013 and I came to realize a thing or twenty and I thought I should share some with you. As always, I am all for exploring and making your own path and decisions as the last thing I want is you to be a clone of me. So you can ignore this completely. But if you feel lost, I thought this might help you a bit. You already know some of these, so, this is just to reinforce the fact that they work and you should continue doing them.

Quarantine routine during COVID-19 Pandemic

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:34:00 -0600

Day 10 of #SocialDistancing #Quarantine. It’s hitting me a bit, the isolation, the silence. Things I am doing to cope.

News:

Starting the day with this. Anything else seems impossible. Looking at the John Hopkins dashboard and then Google news. The pattern is similar. Shit’s hitting the fan, No. of stupid people are not decreasing. There are some really good memes though.

Exercise:

I go for a run around the block to reset my mind from the news. On average I see 5–6 people walking their dogs and it’s decreasing. But, the small 15 min run definitely helps with starting the day.

Behavioral prep

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0600

💡 The key idea for this interview is to guage what kind of a person, teammate you will be and what experiences you had. This is the best time to showcase your strengths and show that you are aware of your weaknesses and are working on them.

I feel this is more of a damage control round in the sense that you need not impress them with your stories and answers as much as you need to make sure you don’t bomb this or say things that turn them off (eg. I have no weaknesses. I am perfect)

Case study prep

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0600

💡 Think of case study as some problem that you would arrive at your own company and solve it like you would solve that rather than looking at it as an interview question. This helps me a lot.

https://datainterview.com/ is one of the best sources for preparation.

Structure

Structure in answering a case in very important. Ask why we want to do what we want to do. Ask clarification questions. Narrow the scope of the answer. Take time to think. State your assumptions. Work with the interviewer to get to the answer.

Rubric

The interviewers evaluate your answer with a rubric. Whether the answer is right is just one point a rubric. Most people just focus on getting to the answer and forget that the evaluation is on a lot of other aspects.
Some common rubrics.
1. Did they ask clarification questions
2. Did they scope the problem well
3. Did they structure the problem well
4. Did they arrive at a solution
5. Is their solution technically sound
6. Did they communicate what they want to do well
7. Did they work with interviewer (take the hint) to arrive at a solution.

Business sense

Always understand what the underlying business is. What is the mission of the company and what do they care about. What is their business model
Always state this and discuss with your interviewer why we should care about doing what we are doing.
It helps interviewers assess that you are not just solving the problem, but you understand the top level view.

Mock

As always, the best way to improve upon this is get some professional mock interviews.
They are very effective at evaluating you on a rubric and help you understand your weaknesses.
https://datainterview.com/ is a great place for this.

Best way to reach me is via Twitter or LinkedIn DM’s

Getting referrals

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0600

💡 I did not get a single call from a recruiter when I applied directly on the portal. All my calls are a direct product of a referral except one.

Get Linkedin Premium. Its worth it.

A lot of referrals are from connections I made at random places at random times. So its always a good thing to build your professional network even if you are not hunting for a job.

MODE SQL Notes

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0600

Comparison operators
- LIKE is case sensitive
- ILIKE is not
- BETWEEN includes the range bounds
- IS NULL is for missing values. column=NULL will not work.
- For non null values - use IS NOT NULL. Don’t use NOT IS NULL
Aggregate function
- COUNT
  - COUNT(col) gives of count of col where values are not null.
  - This is the main difference between COUNT(*) and COUNT(col)
- SUM, AVG and COUNT can only be used for numeric values. (duh!)
- AVG ignores null values completely. Does not take in the denominator
- MIN and MAX can be used for numeric, date, chars
GROUP BY

Offer negotiations and Timing

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0600

💡 Companies are NOT doing you a favor by offering you a job. Its an open market and market decides the price.

I don’t have anything new to say hear. everything is covered in detail in the blogs below. These blogs are gold.

https://haseebq.com/my-ten-rules-for-negotiating-a-job-offer/

https://haseebq.com/how-not-to-bomb-your-offer-negotiation/

https://www.kalzumeus.com/2012/01/23/salary-negotiation/

https://scarlet-chen.medium.com/my-journey-from-econ-phd-to-tech-part-3-negotiations-part-1-ead9d72d4157

A recruiter view of offers and negotiations

https://www.teamblind.com/post/kind-of-new-recruiter-ama-a31aHx3q

But I will cover things that were hard for me to internalize.

Will they recede the offer if you ask them for more compensation?

Resume and cover letter prep

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0600

A great resume will give you a shot at convincing the recruiter to move you forward. It also gets you through any automated system the company is using to filter resumes.

A great resume will

Be relevant to the job you are applying (personalize).
Project your strengths without explicitly saying them.
Be very tight. Every section, every sentence, every word needs a reason to be there.
Always be accompanied by a cover letter.
1. cannot overstate the importance of a cover letter.

Resume is relevant to the job you are applying (personalize).

Prioritize projects so it highlights what the job description says.
Include any relevant projects where you remotely used the tools the job description talks about.
Screening software and some recruiters see if the keywords in the job description matches the keywords in the resume.

Resume projects your strengths without explicitly saying it.

I took Clifton strength assessment to understand what my strengths are and found a way to showcase them through what I did in the project sections without explicitly saying it.
You can take yours here. https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10108/top-5-cliftonstrengths
It is $19 and is totally worth it. The assessment not only gives you a path to crafting your resume, but it also gives you language to describe yourself, talk about your strengths and weaknesses.

Resume is very tight.

Every section, every sentence, every word needs a reason to be there.

Technical prep

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0600

💡 Pay for the premium version of interview prep websites like LeetCode. $30 a month subscription is totally worth it compared to the returns.

Data Science interviews test many technical skills depending on the role or the level.

Algorithmic Coding Prep

This is probably the most important component for software engineering roles, but not so much for data scientists. If you are interested in roles like Research Scientist, Research Data Scientist, then this will become important.