UTA Libraries Staff Spotlight – Kapish Shewale

Computer Science graduate student Madhav Datt writes today's article. Madhav works in the UTA Libraries Marketing and Communications Department at the Central Library.   

I want to introduce Kapish Shewale, a web developer and graduate research assistant at the UTA Libraries.   

MD: To introduce yourself to the rest of the library staff in this current environment, what piece of media (book/movie/tv show/album/etc.) would you say best represents yourself? Why?   

KS: "The Spirit Carries On” by Dream Theater is one song that resonates with my belief. Sometimes, overcoming a series of failures or coping with a loss can seem impossible. This song helps me take some of that pressure off because it allows me to look at the bigger picture: this life is temporary, and the spirit will eventually carry on. So, this song serves as a good reminder: Never let failures bog you down; even if they do, it is OK.   

MD: What do you think about the UTA Libraries, and what excites you about working here?  

KS: UTA Libraries is a fantastic place to work. The comfort and support they provide you in your journey as a student, be it flexibility in working hours or being heard in the decision-making process, makes the experience memorable. I look forward to coming to work every day.  

MD: Tell me a little about your interest in programming and how that came to be.  

KS: Growing up, I have always enjoyed puzzle-solving. In high school, I took a course in programming, where the professor focused on including a variety of puzzles that had to be solved through C++ code. This was a natural motivation and kickstarted my journey into programming.

MD: What is something about you that others would be surprised to know?   

KS: For the longest time, I have had recurring thoughts about the eternal nature of the loop of life. You are born, educated, get a job, get a family, and then one day, you die. Is there something more to it? And with this, I started my journey into spirituality. The Art of Living Foundation is where I learned how to meditate, and today, I conduct courses where I teach meditation to others as well.  

MD: You've spent four semesters here at UTA; what would be your one piece of advice to fellow students?   

KS: Start early in everything. Be it finding jobs, preparing your resume, or hunting for apartments. Early birds have a significant advantage. Therefore, start early.