[Image]ine Working in Engineering at Helpshift

Meet Nikhil Prabhakar (Nipra), Distributed Systems Engineer III, of 1 year and 6 months.

1. What does your day-to-day look like?
   I typically work on our AI/Machine Learning features, and sync with our India team on a daily basis. Tea breaks are an important part of my work day.
2. What has been your favorite offsite team oriented event, and why?
   My favorite offsite event was this year when I attended the company kick-off. I loved the live karaoke band and the chance to talk to company leadership. We celebrated our wins and strategized on our roadmap.
3. What role(s) did you start in at Helpshift and how have you graduated/migrated into different roles?
   I started working with Helpshift in its early years with the founding team as a Software Engineer on the backend team. I left the company to work at SlideShare and then LinkedIn, only to find myself back again with my alma mater, this time working with the machine learning team. Like Bilbo Baggins named his book “There and Back again.” I find myself back again at Helpshift.
4. Describe how Helpshift has helped you in your career development:
   At Helpshift, I learned and continue to learn from very knowledgeable colleagues. I am learning about the latest machine learning techniques, building a reliable machine learning pipeline, and scaling models in production.
5. Favorite thing about working for a tech startup:
   The people and our company’s vision
6. What advice would you have for prospective Helpshift candidates:
   Helpshift is a wonderful place to learn about Software Engineering. Be honest to yourself about your capabilities, have a growth mindset, and a good sense of empathy.
7. What is your proudest moment at Helpshift:
   Re-joining Helpshift and shipping our first AI offering, AI-powered issue classification!
8. How would you describe the company culture and what do you like most about it:
   The culture is very friendly — a well-knit team where we are encouraged to set individual goals for personal development alongside company-wide goals. The engineering team encourages all around learning, so if you are interested in music, arts, sports of photography, you will find people who are willing to learn, teach and participate with you. I love the people here at Helpshift the most.
9. Superpower (real or fake):
   Can eat a lot of food (just like a hobbit), and not gain weight.
10. Slightly addicted to:
    Researching stocks and planning early retirement :).
11. Always on the search for the perfect:
    I don’t believe in perfection, but love to celebrate the imperfections in everything.
12. If you could interview one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
    Gautam Buddha, as the Buddha was an epitome of empathy, and would love to learn from the master of zen.