Juhi Singh
Featuring Juhi Singh for our Saturday Shoutout Initiative. Read on to hear her views on being a Pythonista, a Tech Speaker, a Research intern at Ben-Gurion University, and being a woman in tech.
What domain are you interested in and why?
Frankly, I was never into tech. I Learned things because I wanted to be a speaker. Trust me, giving talks, helping people grow, and bringing change into society are my life goals. Apart from this, I read lots of self-help books, a quiet fan of supernatural series and movies. I also dance sometimes. As I started learning tech, especially ML, I was amazed by the kind of things we can do.
I have worked in ML and security domains and have always been passionate about it, so I still feel some shortness of affection for these two fields. But my current works require web knowledge, so presently, I am exploring the web field. I work as a Developer marketer at Freshworks.
When did you first use python and how did you find it helpful?
The first time I used python was one of the sessions from Build to learn, which I attended with a girl’s gang. I used python and OpenCV for my idea, which I was building. Credits go to Bhavani because she was the one who came to our college and introduced us to all these communities.
Then I started exploring and learning more about python. This is the only Programming language I know.
Describe one kick-ass project that you made using python.
So my kick-ass project was research, which I started in Israel and completed it as my final year project. So this research was detecting trojan attacks on DNN, where I tried to find the model that might be affected by some trojan attacks because we download the pre-existing model most of the time. Where used shap algorithm to detect the trojan trigger model. All the code was done using Python3.7 and the Caffe model. I also used some pre-existing models which were available at Github.
I won the best project title for this from my department. I presented my talk also for the same project.
How did you get the research internship at Ben-Gurion University and how was your experience working as a research intern?
My college had a tie-up with this college from Israel, so I just applied because a friend asked me to and had no expectation that I will get into this. Luckily I was selected. I don’t remember the exact number of the people who applied, But three got selected, and I was one of them. This was an ML and security Internship; you need some good knowledge in these two fields. Also, some leadership and good community work, a Strong resume, a good LinkedIn profile will add a plus point. I think I got selected for these reasons because I was not a rank holder. They will also ask you to send a kind of essay where they want to check the reason and aim behind attending this program. So if you have all these and even some of these, you can get selected too.
It was a great experience Learning exploring with international students. I think people should always give a try to such opportunities. You will find a lot of difference.
How have tech communities helped you to grow as a person?
I don’t know where to start; communities have given everything. I started my journey as a regular attendee with build to learn then pyladies and womentechmaker, and then there was no going back. It was quite an easy and smooth journey as a community member to speaker Because I always had people motivating and giving opportunities to grow. The community helped me build a network with the people I can ask about any doubts, even if it’s technical or personal. It’s been an incredible journey, Learning and growing with it.
Whatever I am today, it’s all because of the community.
Being a superb tech and motivational speaker, what advice would you like to give to people to ace their public speaking skills?
I would say the only thing which they need is confidence. Whenever you feel nervous or conscious, take a deep breath, have water, and start again. Don’t be in a hurry; talk slowly, give a pause while you talk that will also give you a chance to think. Talk to the mirror, record yourself on your phone, ask your friend or closed one for suggestions, Prepare well for your talk or presentation, get ready nicely. Do some research. Try to connect to the audience. All these points will boost your confidence. Don’t give up whenever you feel that you can not do it. Text me on Twitter or LinkedIn. HA, Haha. I am serious.
What do you think is the reason for the low participation of women in tech? How would you improve it?
There are a couple of reasons, first is family and so many other responsibilities, then the mindsets with which we grow up that we can not do. Then we are too conscious about others’ judgments, failures, and the negativity that is all around us. If it’s the security or getting some extra opportunity, I see boys being offended by teasing them like, you got this because you are a girl. So they have to avoid such things and stop doubting yourself. I would improve by targeting young age girls by organizing boot camps and small events where I would like to interact and know that they can do anything. Also, do some events with college girls and explain to them it’s never late. And of course, weekly meetups will help bring more women soon. We are already doing great, trust me.
What are your thoughts on the statement “Can women have it all”?
I think we have to keep telling young women that they can have it all with that “all” is different things to different women, and it means other things in other careers and industries. Most important: you cannot have it all at the least now. Still, there is a long journey to make things smooth available for women. But if we want, no one can stop us too. It’s us who are going to decide if we wish all or not.
