By Angel Higgins
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University continues to produce career-ready graduates, and Mahesh Yadav is proof. With a 4.0 grade point average, the December 2025 TSU graduate secured a six-figure full-time software engineer position with PayPal shortly after graduation, turning his academic success into immediate career momentum in the competitive tech industry.
“I wanted to gain experience working as an engineer in the Bay Area, and as an international student, getting a full-time offer can be challenging,” Yadav said. “When I received the offer, it felt like a huge weight was lifted. It validated all the work I had put in.”
Originally from Siraha, Nepal, Yadav transferred to TSU’s College of Engineering and quickly found his place in the computer science program. With a strong background in math but limited confidence in programming, he leaned into TSU’s hands-on learning environment to build both technical skills and self-belief.
According to Yadav, one of the most pivotal moments in his journey came through the Google in Residence (GIR) program. “It was the first time I really felt capable in programming,” he said. “That class gave me confidence and changed how I saw myself as a computer science student.”
He credits interim department chair and associate professor, Dr. Tamara Rogers’ networking course with helping him understand how software systems communicate, turning abstract concepts into practical knowledge that he now applies in industry. “That class made everything click,” he said. “It helped me understand how real-world systems work.”
Yadav didn’t just excel in the classroom. He worked as a teaching assistant for the GIR program, reinforcing his own learning while mentoring peers. “Teaching others helped me to understand the material deeply,” he said. “It also showed me how much I had grown.”
He also served as the founding vice-lead of the Google Developer Student Club at TSU, organizing workshops and events that strengthened his leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Those experiences helped prepare him for competitive internships, including a senior-year co-op with Amazon. Through rigorous preparation, including coding practice, mock interviews, and networking, Yadav earned a summer 2025 internship with PayPal. By August, the internship turned into a full-time offer.
“Getting interviews with top tech companies while still in school pushed me to prepare seriously,” he said. “TSU gave me the space, support, and mentorship to rise to that level.”
As a first-generation and international student, Yadav initially struggled with asking for help, he stated. “At first, I tried to figure everything out on my own. But I learned that growth comes from community and mentorship,” he said.
He points to faculty mentors, including Associate Professor of Computer Science,
Dr. Manar Samad, as instrumental in his success. “His passion for teaching and ability to break down complex concepts made a big difference,” Yadav said.
Now working as a software engineer at PayPal, Yadav hopes to one day mentor students from underrepresented backgrounds and contribute to globally impactful systems. “TSU prepared me not just academically, but mentally,” he said. “I learned how to problem-solve, accept feedback, and keep going even after rejection.”
His advice to current TSU students is simple but powerful: plan early, work consistently, and don’t give up. “Rejections are part of the process,” he said. “I applied to hundreds of jobs. What matters is staying prepared and believing in your growth.”
Yadav’s journey underscores TSU’s commitment to student success not just at graduation, but well beyond it.
For more information on the College of Engineering’s Computer Science department, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/engineering/.
Featured Photo: Mahesh Yadav, a first-generation international student from Sihara, Nepal, who is now a software engineer at PayPal, said TSU taught him how to problem-solve, accept feedback, and keep going even after rejection. (Submitted Photo)
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public land-grant university offering 41 bachelor’s degrees, 15 graduate certificates, 27 master’s degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. TSU’s campus spans 500 acres. The university is committed to academic excellence, providing students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders. Visit tnstate.edu for more details.
