Meet Suman Kumar, an alumnus of Cleveland State University, whose study abroad journey took him from Kolkata, India, to a full-time role at Rocket Mortgage in Detroit, Michigan. While pursuing a master’s in software engineering at Cleveland State, Suman utilized his skills and experience to secure an internship, which eventually led to a job offer at Rocket Mortgage after graduation.
Read on to learn Suman’s valuable insights for international students on navigating the challenges of studying and working in the US.
Suman’s Journey from Kolkata to Ohio
For Suman, choosing Cleveland State University for his master’s in software engineering was both practical and purposeful. He already had more than three years of work experience as a software engineer in India, but wanted to pursue additional training to further his expertise.
“In the US, there are so many universities and you need to fit your budget. Also, you need to find what actually suits your profile,” he explained.
Cleveland State stood out to Suman because of its specific software engineering program, which was a better match for his career aspirations than general computer science programs at other universities.
Located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, Cleveland State University is known for its hands-on approach to learning and strong industry connections. With more than 175 academic programs, including STEM degrees at its renowned College of Engineering, Cleveland State University offers students the tools to succeed in fields like software engineering, business, and health care. The university’s emphasis on experiential learning through internships, co-ops, and real-world projects helps students build the practical skills needed to thrive in the global job market.
Studying Software Engineering at Cleveland State University
Suman’s academic journey at Cleveland State exceeded his expectations.
“Cleveland State University [has] good professors,” he said. “They [offer a lot of] support in my computer science [and] software engineering department.”
He developed close relationships with several professors who helped him dive deeper into the software engineering topics that interested him, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). “I worked very closely with [a] professor, and then I went in depth … I understood the nuance of AI. He actually helped me with different types of research papers, and those are beyond the classes.”
In addition to his software engineering courses, Suman took full advantage of the networking opportunities at Cleveland State. He participated in hackathons, plus Startup-Vikes and similar events at both the engineering and business colleges. He was also a member of the Entrepreneurship Club at Cleveland State’s Monte Ahuja College of Business. These experiences not only expanded his technical skills, but also allowed him to connect with industry professionals.
Landing the Rocket Mortgage Internship
Suman learned about Rocket Mortgage at a campus career fair, but they weren’t initially hiring software engineers. However, Suman didn’t let that stop him. He made a connection with a company representative and kept the door open for future opportunities.
Later, when he found a software engineering internship at Rocket Mortgage on LinkedIn, Suman reached out to the same contact. While the representative couldn’t directly refer him, Suman was not discouraged.
“He actually guided me, [saying] ‘why don’t you go ahead and reach out to those people’ or ‘go ahead and apply directly’,” Suman recalled. His determination paid off when, after applying directly, he was called in for an interview and secured a summer internship in 2023.
Rocket Mortgage, the largest online mortgage lender in the US, is at the forefront of revolutionizing the home mortgage loans industry through technology. Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, the company is known for simplifying the mortgage process, making it faster and more accessible for homebuyers, as well as offering a variety of digital financial services.
Getting this internship involved a lot of effort and persistence — Suman applied for more than 700 positions during his search. His message to other students seeking an internship: Start early.
“You have to start applying from October, November, because if you see the large companies, they hire one year before. So, the moment you arrive here in US, after one [or] two months, you have to make sure that you keep applying,” he said.
Suman’s Internship Experience at Rocket Mortgage
Interning at Rocket Mortgage was a pivotal point in Suman’s career. During his three-month software engineering internship at the Detroit headquarters, he focused on full-stack focused development projects and worked closely with his team. Afterward, he returned to Cleveland State to complete his final semester, knowing the job market was highly competitive.
Despite the uncertainty, Suman stayed focused. He applied for jobs, stayed in touch with his contacts at Rocket Mortgage, and prepared for interviews. He also kept himself occupied by working as a graduate supervisor at the CSU Rec Center, as well as a global ambassador for Cleveland State Global, creating marketing videos and staying involved in campus life.
For fellow international students who are ambitious, he recommended “just not to stress yourself [too] much because things will fall in place eventually.”
His efforts eventually paid off when Rocket Mortgage reached out with a return offer for another internship, which he was initially willing to accept, but was also considering other opportunities. Then, just before accepting a full-time position elsewhere, he secured an interview for a full-time role with Rocket Mortgage. He passed the 90-minute face-to-face technical and coding round and was hired!
Suman’s Advice for International Students
Suman’s success didn’t come without challenges, but his advice for future international students reflects his strategic approach to career development.
“The moment you come to US, don’t think that you have too much time,” he said. “You just arrived and you’re very new to the new country … The moment you come here, start networking.”
He also emphasized the importance of staying ahead of the curve. “Be active three months before whatever you do. So, if you say ‘OK, I have to start applying for internships from January,’ don’t do it [starting in] January. Do it three months [before].”
Most importantly, “keep applying,” he said. “Apply to hundreds, thousands of jobs [so] you can get one single interview, [then] crack that interview. That should be the ultimate thing.”
What’s Next for Suman
Now settled into his role as a software engineer at Rocket Mortgage, Suman is excited about getting to utilize the skills and knowledge he developed during his master’s program in a real-world setting.
“The work here at Rocket Mortgage is really great, working with all the latest tech stacks, getting lots of responsibilities,” he said. “It aligns exactly with [my] education … I would like to continue here for a long time.”
For Suman, Cleveland State University offered the resources and opportunities to build a successful career in the US. From a well-rounded software engineering curriculum to professors who provided valuable mentorship and guidance, Cleveland State University equipped Suman with the skills he needed to thrive in a competitive job market.
Cleveland State’s strong support system can help international students like you bridge the gap between the classroom and professional success as well.
