Alumni Spotlight | Sai Ram Kodali, M.S.'24

“The major reason I chose Hood was that I heard very good reviews from people in my community who had completed their master’s there before me. Hood is also very affordable compared to other universities, which was important.”

Q&A

Department

Computer Science & Information Technology

Alumni
Graduate School
Graduate Student

Computer Science & Information Technology Graduate Programs
Computer Sciences
Graduate School

02/25/2026

Sai Ram Kodali, M.S.’24, earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science, specializing in artificial intelligence, and completed his master’s in computer science at Hood College in December 2024. He now works as an AI engineer at Simple Cell in Sykesville, Maryland, where he focuses on building data pipelines and automating business processes using artificial intelligence.

Could you share a bit about your professional journey?

I did both my bachelor’s and master’s in computer science. My bachelor’s specialization was in artificial intelligence, which I studied for four years in India. I started my master’s in computer science at Hood College in August 2023 and finished in December 2024. I have been studying computer science and artificial intelligence for the past six or seven years, so everything started with my bachelor’s and continued through my master’s, and I finally ended up working in my specialization. I also worked as a graduate student ambassador for about a year, which helped me improve my communication skills and gain exposure through graduate events.

You are now working as an AI engineer at Simple Cell in Sykesville, Maryland. What does your current role involve, and what excites you about the field of AI?

My role is focused on automating processes end to end. I have to understand how a process works and figure out where I can apply my knowledge as an AI engineer to automate it. I am building a data pipeline for the company by collecting data from our marketplaces and website and using it for analysis and analytics as well as creating AI dashboards. My work involves responsibilities similar to both a data scientist and an engineer. What excites me most is that it is not a regular routine job but something where I can apply AI in practical and impactful ways.

Why did you choose Hood College for your master’s degree, and what aspects of the program stood out to you at the time?

The major reason I chose Hood was that I heard very good reviews from people in my community who had completed their master’s there before me. Hood is also very affordable compared to other universities, which was important. The class sizes are small, around 20 students, which makes it easier to interact with professors. I also received a graduate assistantship, which helped me save tuition and gain exposure.

How did your experience at Hood prepare you for a career in AI and technology? Were there particular courses, projects or professors that had a strong impact on your development?

I took Artificial Intelligence in my last semester and Deep Learning in the summer, and those courses are directly related to my current work. My graduate assistantship also helped me gain experience beyond academics, especially in communication, social media and promoting the Graduate School at events. That exposure helped me develop both technical knowledge and professional skills. Even though I worked as a software engineer before moving fully into AI, my specialization has always been artificial intelligence, and Hood helped me continue building in that direction.

Looking back, is there a favorite memory or defining experience from your time at Hood that helped shape your confidence or technical skills?

As a graduate ambassador, I attended several events, such as a mathematics event and events in Downtown Frederick, where we promoted the school. These experiences helped me communicate confidently with the general public and improve my marketing and digital skills through social media. While they were not technical experiences related to my major, they helped shape my extracurricular and professional skills and made me more confident overall.

What advice would you offer to current Hood students who are interested in pursuing careers in artificial intelligence or emerging technologies?

Technology is always changing, and right now, AI is one of the best areas to focus on if someone wants to enter the industry. It is becoming difficult to rely only on traditional software engineering because AI tools can already generate code quickly. If someone is specialized in something, they should continue building strong expertise in that area. The field is competitive, so staying updated and focusing on emerging technologies like AI is important.

Inspired by Sai Ram’s story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, including the M.S. in computer science.