Merriam Khan
Atlanta native Merriam Khan is taking advantage of all that Georgia State has to offer. A junior majoring in computer science, she’s applied a proactive approach to her education, seizing numerous opportunities — internships, assistantships and friendships — while pursuing personal and professional growth.
Interview by Jordan Ferguson
Tell me about yourself and how you got to Georgia State.
When applying to colleges, I knew I wanted to do something in math or science, and I knew I wanted to stay in state because I wanted to use my HOPE Scholarship. Georgia State accepted me into the Honors College, and a lot of the credits I took as a dual-enrollment student were accepted. It was a good start to college, and I’m glad I chose it because I’ve received so many opportunities so far.
As a computer science major, what do you plan to do in the future?
I want to do something in artificial intelligence or machine learning because that’s the current trend. I haven’t narrowed down my options because everything seems interesting. You also have web development, and robotics sounds really cool. I want to find a way to combine them all but, for now, I am exploring my options. I am doing internships, externships, assistantships and workshops, learning as much as I can about each sector.
Tell me about some of the opportunities you’ve had so far.
One of them is a research assistantship that I got at the Center for Integrated AI Research at the Edge (CiARE). I am on a team that researches artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning. I applied for it in October 2023, and one of my professors is a part of the project.
This past summer, I did a research internship with the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory as part of the Department of Defense’s Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Minority Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) Summer Research Internship Program. It’s related to computer science. I don’t know how much I'm allowed to share, but it’s been fun.
How has Georgia State prepared you for your internship and the workforce?
Georgia State has given me practical experience with the research assistantship. Before, I was studying and I didn’t get my hands on practical applications, like creating code or building projects. There’s also a difference when collaborating with people and discussing ideas.
That research assistantship at Georgia State is how I was able to do that. I had to prepare presentations, explain ideas and progress, and then collaborate with coworkers and mentors. That’s common in the corporate workplaces as well. Once you have one foot in the door, it is easier to open up more opportunities.
What has been the most rewarding part of your college career thus far?
One thing is the chance to make friends. I was always a shy student in high school, and talking to people and making new friends was hard. Then — I don’t know what happened — as soon as I started college, I realized that maybe everyone was also looking to reach out to new people. I started talking to people even if I didn’t know them. I began to open up and push myself to do challenging things. It feels nice to have a social life instead of being fully academic.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
There are a lot of different spots. I like that one view from Library North overlooking the bridge. They also have rooms where you can study. I sometimes like going up to 25 Park Place because it’s a tall building, and I go up onto a high floor and look out the window and down. You can see the clouds like you’re in the sky. I also like going to Centennial Hall, where the Honors College is located. It’s cozy there. They have sofas, pillows and individual cubicles to curl into.
What advice would you give to incoming first-year students?
Don’t let any fear or doubt overcome you. I look back, and sometimes I had ideas I thought I shouldn’t pursue because I didn’t know enough. Looking back, I realized it wasn’t that bad. Take that risk, that chance, and whatever passion you have for something, and go for it.
