We Are IT | Meet Dinesh Kumar Sundararajan

Dinesh Kumar Sundararajan, originally from Chennai, India, relocated to Florida for his graduate studies and is now actively working in the field of Data Analytics. With a master's in computer engineering, he found his passion in technology, specifically with data collection and processing methodologies, after gaining experience in Industrial Robotics and Internet of Things (IOT). Joining FSU in 2021 as a Senior Data Integration Architect, Dinesh manages ETL pipelines to support campus-wide data needs, focusing on benefiting students During his free time, Dinesh likes to travel, watch movies, and play soccer and cricket.

Where are you from? 

I am from Chennai, India. I lived in India until I moved to Florida for my graduate studies.

Where did you attend school? 

I earned my master’s in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida. My undergraduate engineering degree is from Anna University, India. 

Why did you choose to work in technology? 

My mother is an engineer, so I always felt motivated to follow her path in engineering ever since I was a little kid. After graduating, I spent time working in Industrial Robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) where I realized everything revolves around data. This knowledge inspired me to pursue a career in data analytics.  

How long have you been at FSU? 

I joined the ITS team as a Senior Data Integration Architect in September 2021.  

What is your role at FSU? 

On an average day, I am responsible for managing and developing ETL pipelines to support data requirements for FSU departments across campus. The ETL pipelines consists of extracting, transforming, and loading data from multiple sources into a target repository so that efficient reports can be generated. Essentially, I help bring data to people so they can use it.  

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

In my line of work, the main customers are students. So, my favorite part of the job is having the opportunity to give back to the student community.  

What is the most rewarding project you have worked on at FSU? 

A rewarding moment I experienced at FSU was when I collaborated and worked with different teams on campus like the Center for Global Engagement and FSU Athletics to bring in meaningful information that would help with their analysis. Our team is currently working on a couple of new projects - Data Vault and Event Streaming, both of which are equally exciting and would help shape the way we process the data in the future.

Other than your cellphone, what is your go-to, can't-live-without piece of tech? 

My AirPods. I love listening to music and they are my go-to tech when I work in the office, or when I am on the go. 

If you were to invent one piece of technology, what would it be? 

A clone of myself! A clone would always be ready to help me with delegating any extra work.  

What is a fun fact about you? 

I love traveling. If I can travel, you can ensure I am going to take it! My favorite trip I have taken so far is to Tokyo, Japan. The food, the culture, and the people were unforgettable, and is an experience I’ll always remember. 

Talk a little bit about your family. 

My father is a medical doctor in India, while my mother is an electrical engineer. My younger brother followed in my father's footsteps and became a doctor, but it was my mother who inspired me to pursue a career in engineering. 

What do you do in your free time? 

When I am not working, I enjoy watching movies, and playing soccer and cricket.