After completing his undergraduate degree at the Siddaganga Institute of Technology of India in 2021, Pramood Mallaiah Puttaraju began his professional career at Accenture, where he worked for two years as an SAP BW Application Development Analyst. During this time, he gained valuable experience in data management, application development, and enterprise technology, which sparked his interest in expanding his technical expertise.
Soon after leaving Accenture, Pramood pursued a Master of Science in Computing at Wichita State University, graduating in May 2026. At Wichita State, he took a variety of courses related to computer networking and had the opportunity to tackle challenging technical problems, helping him strengthen both his networking knowledge and problem-solving skills.
From the start of the program, he focused on making the most of his time by deepening his networking expertise. In addition to earning his degree, Pramood completed Wichita State's Computer Networking Certificate program, further enhancing the skills needed to advance his career.
Academically, one of the biggest influences was solving challenging networking questions, especially the advanced problems given at the end of exams in Routing and Switching I course.
Outside of academics, Pramood's on-campus jobs also had a strong impact on him. He was given the opportunity to work with the Office of Student Engagement and Belonging as a photographer while working towards his master's degree.
"Photography has always been my passion, so this role meant a lot to me. It was more than a job—it was a chance to express myself and do something I truly loved," Pramood said.
He also worked as a Graduate Research Assistant at NIAR, where he was introduced to work related to the aviation industry. That experience helped him adapt to a new field and learn quickly. This combination of dedication, passion, and hands-on experience had the biggest impact on his growth.
Pramood joined Arista Networks as an intern in May 2025.
During the internship, Pramood gained valuable hands-on experience working in the Arista lab environment. He learned many practical aspects of networking and testing and continues to improve my skills through both real-world work and certification programs at Arista.
"Wichita State’s dedicated networking labs and hands-on learning opportunities helped me grow my technical skills while I was taking classes," Pramood said. "Because of this strong foundation, I was able to perform well during my internship and contribute effectively to my current role at Arista Networks."
Pramood received an Academic Excellence Award in Spring 2025 from Wichita State University. This was for his dedication to maintaining an exceptional GPA along with securing an internship with Arista Networks.
“It was especially rewarding because it recognized the hard work I put into balancing my studies and my internship at the same time. That moment made me feel proud of how far I had come,” Pramood said.
In June 2026, Pramood was offered a full-time position at Arista Networks. Pramood currently works as a Software Test Engineer, and his main responsibilities are to test features, validate their functionality, and identify bugs by applying the networking knowledge and technical skills he has developed over the years.
Pramood learned that Arista creates an environment where people can truly understand things deeply and grow professionally. It has one of the best work cultures he has experienced. When you are assigned a project, you are trusted to take ownership of it. At the same time, colleagues are very supportive and always willing to help.
Having the opportunity to work with a mentor at Arista and having discussions with experienced professionals taught him a lot about solving complex problems. Realizing that success comes from a mix of teamwork, mentorship, and personal dedication.
His education at Wichita State excelled Pramood in many ways. It improved not only his technical knowledge, but also how he communicates with others, how he solves complex problems, and how he stays committed to what he's passionate about. It gave Pramood both professional confidence and personal growth.
Pramood gives this advice to current Shockers, “Along with learning all the subjects in your program, try to build a specialization in one domain that truly interests you. Having a specialization helps you stand out, build confidence, and create a stronger career path,” Pramood said. “Learn broadly but also make sure you develop strong skills in one area where you want to grow professionally.”
Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.
For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.
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Courtesy Photo
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