Name: Tanmay Pendhakar
Major and College: Master’s student in Data Science.
Internship Title: Data Analyst Intern
Internship Site: Ardent Privacy
1) Please tell us about your career goals.
My career goal is to build data-driven solutions that help organizations make smarter, faster decisions. In the near term, I aim to work as a Data or Business Intelligence Analyst, using SQL, Python, and visualization tools to turn complex data into actionable insights.
Long term, I aspire to grow into an AI and product focused analytics role, where I can design scalable data systems and drive measurable business impact through automation and intelligent decision making.
2) Tell us about your internship (i.e., day-to-day responsibilities, special projects/clients, and work culture).
During my internship at Ardent Privacy, I worked on marketing analytics and AI-driven compliance initiatives, supporting campaign performance analysis and data reporting using tools like SQL and R. I also contributed to client-facing insights and internal dashboards.
One of the most valuable aspects of my experience was interacting with CISOs, CTOs, CEOs, and other C level leaders. These conversations gave me real-world insight into how cybersecurity and privacy trends are evolving, how organizations prepare for emerging regulations, and how strategic decisions are made at the executive level.
The work culture was collaborative, relaxed, and highly engaging, which allowed me to learn continuously while taking ownership of meaningful projects.
3) Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I first learned about the opportunity during the Spring Career Fair at UMBC, where approximately 60–70 companies were recruiting. After speaking with representatives at the Ardent Privacy booth and sharing my background, I was invited for an interview the following week.
After completing the interview process, I received the offer and began my internship in June.
4) Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?
Career Fairs
5) What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
What I’ve enjoyed most about my position is the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, including CTOs, CISOs, and CEOs. Being able to learn directly from their strategic vision and understand how they think about the future of cybersecurity and privacy has been incredibly valuable.
I also had the opportunity to attend major conferences on the East Coast, which exposed me to emerging industry trends, innovative technologies, and high-level discussions shaping the future of the field.
6) How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
Through my work, I helped translate data into actionable insights that supported marketing and client-facing decisions. By analyzing campaign performance and contributing to dashboards and reports, I helped improve visibility into key metrics and overall performance tracking.
Additionally, by supporting AI driven compliance initiatives and engaging with leadership discussions, I contributed to more data informed strategic conversations within the organization.
7) What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience (i.e., Internship search, Resume, or Interview tips)?
If you’re seeking a summer internship, start applying early ideally in August or September. Applying ahead of the peak season gives you more opportunities and puts you a few steps ahead of other candidates.
When preparing your resume, avoid relying entirely on AI generated content. Make sure your experiences sound natural and truly reflect your work. Most importantly, build real projects. Having hands-on projects not only strengthens your resume but also gives you meaningful stories and examples to confidently discuss during interviews.