RCLC Spotlight: Deepak Ainani

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Deepak Ainani, PMP, CSM, served as a Graduate Assistant for the Reinberger Children’s Library Center (RCLC) from August 2006 to December 2007 while pursuing his M.S. in Computer Technology at Kent State University. While he was a graduate student, he also served as Treasurer on the executive board of the Indian Student Organization.

Currently, he is a Solution Architect at Salesforce in Toronto, Canada, where he works with customers to understand their needs and provides them with technical solutions. In this role, he serves as a strategic advisor and product expert to the customers. “Working in the consulting field brings a new challenge everyday,” Deepak says. “You get to experience different industries, different company cultures, and it is one of the most effective ways to build your professional network.”

"My web design experience at the RCLC helped me not only launch my career, but also get to where I am today.”

THE RCLC STUDENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE

COLLABORATION

Deepak gained experience in collecting project requirements and understanding a client’s vision from working closely with Director of the RCLC, Michelle Baldini and her team to develop the ILILE website. In addition, he assisted Michelle with hosting the ILILE-CISSL International Research Symposium at Kent State. He also enjoyed collaborating with David Robins, an Information Architecture and Knowledge Management (IAKM) Professor who retired in July 2020. Dr. Robins provided valuable technical insights for the ILILE project.

PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

As a graduate assistant, Deepak created a web presence for the Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education (ILILE). Prior to this role, Deepak only had theoretical knowledge of how to build websites; this was his first hands-on experience with building professional web applications. As a graduate assistant, he was responsible for developing and maintaining the ILILE website and providing day-to-day technical support.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY

A LASTING IMPACT

“My web design experience at the RCLC helped me not only launch my career, but also get to where I am today,” Deepak says. He considers his graduate assistantship a stepping stone to his first job after graduation as an Application Developer at Kent State University. In this role, he was able to further hone his web development skills and master backend programming languages. He was responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining large relational databases and building enterprise level web applications.

Deepak also utilizes what he learned during his graduate assistantship in his current job as a Solution Architect. “Even at my current position at Salesforce, I put my web development skills to use to serve the best possible product for our customers,” he says.

ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS

Deepak advises current iSchool students to develop and expand their professional networks because your network can help you grow and connect you with educational opportunities to get hands-on experience. For students interested in Information Technology, Deepak recommends always continuing to improve your skills. “Working in the IT field, learning never stops,” he says. “Technology changes so fast and if you don’t keep up with it, you will be left behind.”

CONNECT

Deepak is open to connecting with current and prospective iSchool students via LinkedIn.

The iSchool is always here to support students with finding hands-on learning experiences that will enhance their learning. Students are encouraged to send inquiries about internships, volunteering, graduate assistantships, and research projects to their academic advisor or a faculty member that aligns with their professional interests. For more information about student learning opportunities at the RCLC, students may email Michelle Baldini (mbaldini@kent.edu). 

POSTED: TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2021 - 6:38 PM | WRITTEN BY: JULIA STONE