When Supraja Vempalli joined CGI as an Automation Consultant Co-op intern in September 2023, she gained an opportunity to see how technology supports real business processes. Working with CGI's Insurance Information Services (IIS) team in Markham, Ontario, Canada she contributed to projects involving application monitoring, reporting, data analysis and automation.
Supraja worked with tools including Microsoft Azure, Python, SQL and Power BI, learning to identify application issues, create queries and alerts, and develop solutions to help teams better understand data.
One project stood out: automating a manual process that relied on Excel. Her solution significantly reduced the time needed to complete the work, showing her how automation can make a practical difference.
Making room for ideas and connection
Some of Supraja's favorite CGI memories came from collaborating with fellow co-op students. During CGI's AI innovation challenges, teams brainstormed ideas, developed solutions and presented their work. Networking events also introduced her to professionals from different companies and broadened her perspective on careers in technology.
There were lighter moments, too. Weekly bingo with the IIS team became a highlight, especially when Supraja won three weeks in a row!
Colleagues and leaders Josie Taylor and Lio Pat helped make Supraja's experience memorable, while Maria Khan made her feel welcome from the start and continued to check in throughout her co-op.
These relationships shaped how Supraja thinks about workplace culture. As she explains, “Building relationships and having a sense of belonging are just as important as the work itself.”
Taking the next step
After completing her co-op in August 2024, Supraja joined IBM Canada as a Software Developer in January 2025.
She credits her CGI experience with strengthening her skills in programming, cloud technology, data analytics and automation. Working on real projects also helped her discover what she enjoys most about software development: simplifying processes and turning ideas into useful solutions.
The experience reinforced a lesson she carries into her career: “We don’t need to know everything from the beginning,” she says. “Curiosity, asking questions and a willingness to learn can make new opportunities easier to embrace.”
Staying curious
Supraja continues to follow developments in cloud services and automation, particularly how these technologies help organizations manage applications and simplify complex processes.
Outside work, she enjoys dancing, baking pizza, painting and traveling. She's also learning Japanese, inspired by an earlier trip to Japan, with the goal of speaking the language on her next visit.
Looking back, Supraja describes CGI as a wonderful starting point for her career in IT services. Beyond the technical experience, she values the colleagues, connections and shared experiences that helped shape her early career.
Her advice to fellow alumni at the onset of their careers reflects that experience: “Stay curious, step outside your comfort zone and keep learning. You do not need every answer before you begin.”