“Northeastern has helped me in a career sense,” says Isabelle Hahn, a 2020 graduate of the College of Arts, Media and Design. “I was also able to take courses at Northeastern that helped me with my creativity and my writing in a way that helps me now as a director…I have all this course work and background knowledge that has proven to be extremely helpful in what I’m wanting to do with my life now.”

Hahn, a resident of Los Angeles by way of Hawaii, credits her Northeastern co-op experience for being the launchpad that catapulted her towards her current career path—and creative aspirations. Despite pursuing a degree in journalism, Hahn entered the educational technology space after finding that “tech companies allowed [her] to use the same journalistic skills to interview people and create stories.”

Using what she learned during her co-op, Hahn developed into a coveted content creator for a variety of B2B tech companies on the West Coast, focusing on blogs, social, emails, and all other forms of marketing content. “After my first co-op, I stuck with it…it offered great opportunities like experimenting with different creative projects, and I don’t think I would have gotten the multimedia experience I have without it.”

Even with all her day-to-day success, Hahn’s creative garden truly begins to grow in her spare time—she moonlights as an independent filmmaker, putting an emphasis on music videos and short films. She ascribes her time at Northeastern with providing the foundational pieces to pursue a notoriously volatile career. “Musical theater was all I knew. At Northeastern, I took film acting classes and commercial classes, and that’s when the idea started to plant in my head.”

While she humbly states that she doesn’t have the largest filmography, it’s clear that Hahn has an eye for the screen and will take Hollywood by storm—as proven through her award-winning music video for “The Stack” by Jack Rabbit, selected as the winner of the Cannes Shorts Best Music Video award in 2023. “I think about Northeastern very fondly,” says Hahn with a smile. “I don’t think there’s any way I could have been better prepared for entering my career era.”

You can learn more about Hahn and see her entire body of work by visiting her website.

“The College of Professional Studies offers options to take your courses online,” says Dawn Atkins, a 2020 graduate of the College of Professional Studies, with an elated tone and aura of passion equivalent to the one she holds for ballet. The 2013 Princess Grace Award nominee states “with the requirements of my job day-to-day, [flexibililty] was really important…I was able to plan my coursework for the week and made sure that it worked with whatever was happening at work.”

Atkins, who is currently based in Miami, is no stranger to dancing and the art of ballet—she began practicing at the age of four, just outside of her hometown in Vermont. This proved to be merely a training ground as she steadily climbed her way through the local ballet ranks. By 2011, she officially joined the Boston Ballet company, having roles in distinguished shows like The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle.

While participating in the Boston Ballet, Atkins was able to enroll in Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies, ultimately achieving a degree in business management. Given her intensive work and practice schedule, finding an educational sanctuary that allowed for flexibility was a driving factor in her decision to continue her education at Northeastern. “As I was graduating high school and starting work as a ballet dancer, I was of the mindset that I was going to have to shelf my education,” says Atkins. “When I learned about Northeastern University and the options that they had, I realized that ‘Oh, I can do this as well.’”

While getting her degree, 80% of Atkins’s tuition was covered to give her the opportunity to pursue her degree, thanks to a partnership with the Boston Ballet and Northeastern to help dancers pursue higher education. “The company, in general, was passionate about facilitating something to help us,” she says. “They wanted us to pursue an education…I remember thinking that I would be kicking myself if I didn’t do this.”

Atkins’ move to Miami comes at a great time—Northeastern has recently introduced a new campus in the heart of the city with a focus on the same real-world flexibility that Atkins experienced. “I love that they’re doing that,” says Atkins with a smile after learning about its opening. “I just think that it’s such a great program that it’s great if they’re able to reach more people.”

With the pressures of my line of work, it was nice to know that I could still have flexibility with [my schedule and education].”

Dawn Atkins Cps’20

Even though they were chatting on a Microsoft Teams call with an ocean between them, you would think that Adam Fry, a College of Engineering graduate in 2015 and MBA recipient in 2016, and his business partner Nico Munoz, a 2014 Khoury College graduate, were in the room together. “During my time at Northeastern, [my co-ops] did a lot of projects centered around reducing waste,” says Fry with a smile as he recalls his early university experiences. “[It] was a mechanism at Northeastern through which I practiced my environmental inclinations.”

Fry and Munoz are no strangers to each other—they became friends during their first week at Northeastern. A few years after entering the professional world, they learned that they were both in a phase of their lives where “we wanted to do something different [and] do something on our own.” With that in mind, they helped launch Budgeat, a sustainability-focused meal planning app that caters to users’ dietary needs, budget, and schedule by personalizing healthy recipes.

Both Fry and Munoz credit their immersive Northeastern experience for helping them gather the tools that would push them to succeed in the notoriously volatile startup environment. “Fundamentally, the Northeastern experience gave me the skills and confidence to become an effective problem-solver. What Northeastern did a great job at doing was teaching me how to learn and how to quickly apply that knowledge,” says Fry.

Fry expresses his gratitude for the co-op program for teaching him what he wanted in a career and what didn’t fit his professional goals. This was demonstrated through an oil and gas engineering position in Malaysia that would fuel his passion for sustainability. Munoz, on the other hand, began his co-op at the Boston-based asset management firm GMO and was offered a full-time position upon graduation, putting him “years ahead in experience” compared to his peers.

By combining their unique co-op experiences, Fry and Munoz have ascended to become both the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Budgeat, respectively. Since the company’s launch, Budgeat has grown organically and exponentially—obtaining hundreds of new followers on their social platforms and increasing their site visits by 35% on a monthly basis.

Facing the exciting prospect of development and expansion in an evergrowing market, Fry and Munoz would like to give back to the Northeastern community by starting a co-op position at Budgeat in the near future. Speaking for both himself and Fry, Munoz says, “For us, our co-op experience was incredible…[co-op candidates] are driven, hardworking, and knowledgable. The quality coming out of Northeastern is really high and it’s definitely in our plans at some point [to offer a position].”

You can learn more about Fry, Munoz, and Budgeat by following Budgeat on LinkedIn and Instagram @budgeatapp.

If you or someone you know are interested in starting a co-op position at your place of employment, please contact Jim Boyle, Director of Strategic Industry Relations at [email protected].

Instagram
@Budgeat

Don’t be afraid to lean into the co-op program and explore your interests…Northeastern gives you an opportunity to do that across dialogues, programs, and the co-op.”

Nico Munoz Khoury ’14

“We have a desire to support the younger generation. There are a lot of people who can’t go to a higher level of education because of funding. The future of Northeastern and the country is on the next generation coming up and what they can do,” says Bob Maddock, E‘72. “We meet with the recipients of my mom and dad’s scholarships, and we are always impressed. The kids are talented, sharp, courteous, and positive.”  

Northeastern is home to a unique group of families known as multi-generational Northeastern families. These families, spanning multiple generations, are a true testament to the power of family bonds and the importance of Northeastern creating a sense of community and belonging that is truly special. Maddock’s father, Tom Maddock, graduated from Northeastern in 1942 with a chemical engineering degree. Following in his father’s footsteps, Maddock also enrolled at Northeastern to pursue chemical engineering and graduated in 1972. Their family’s multi-generational connection continues as Maddock’s grandniece, Katherine Hall, is graduating from Northeastern in May of 2023. 

One of the aspects of Northeastern that Maddock highlights is his love for the university’s Co-op program. When applying for colleges, he knew he wanted to go to Northeastern for this reason. With his father having attended Northeastern and his own enthusiasm for enrolling in a co-op school, he was eager to explore his options. I think it’s amazing for what it provides you, learning what work you want to do and the type of company you want to be with,” says Maddock. In total, he completed four Co-ops during his time at Northeastern, including a Co-op at Rohm and Haas which is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals for end use markets such as building and construction, electronic devices, packaging, etc.” he says. “Grab it with both hands, it’s important.” 

As a way to give back to Northeastern, Maddock and Loretta have established three scholarships for graduates in chemical engineering and the expansion of learning competencies. They enjoy getting to meet the scholarship recipients and feel that it’s rewarding to be able to give back and help the students. “We get letters from the kids that receive the scholarships, and they make our day, hearing about how important and the impact it had on them and their families, makes it all worth it,” Maddock says.  

The Maddocks continue to stay involved with the Northeastern community. In February of 2023, they met with the Dean of the College of Engineering and the Dean of Bouvé College of Health Sciences to discuss different programs. They also have an active program with Bouvé that studies the impact of COVID-19 on learning experiences. Northeastern has provided them with the opportunity to speak with professors and attend classes during their visits to remain close to the students. The Maddocks are looking forward to attending this year’s May 2023 Commencement and Golden Graduates celebrations to watch their grandniece graduate.  

We want to encourage students looking for schools that Northeastern is a great school to go to.”

Bob Maddock, E‘72

“You just have to open yourself up to the Northeastern experience,” says David Fatula, DMSB’01. “I tried to do as many things as I could at Northeastern…I did so many things that expanded my own understanding of myself, emotionally. A lot of going away to school is grounding yourself in the person you are. I found myself in a way that helped me be successful, and I don’t know if I would have found it otherwise at another school.”

Fatula, who currently resides in Arlington, Massachusetts, has felt a connection to nature and the outdoors since childhood. While an undergraduate student, he was a member of the Northeastern Hiking and Outing Club (now known as NUHOC) before receiving degrees in entrepreneurship and finance from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business.

But after working in real estate investment for the majority of his career, Fatula began to ponder about a way where he could combine work with his passion for the outdoors. “I recognized how much being outdoors meant to me, so when I decided that I wanted a career change,” he says. “I wanted to give something to people that they might not already have.” Thankfully, he already had some experience within that realm—mostly through partnering with local gym owners to lead group hikes through the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Using the skills he acquired after obtaining his dual business degree from Northeastern, Fatula left the world of real estate investment in 2021 and laid the framework for what would eventually become Guineafowl Adventure, a group hiking company with a focus on sustainability. Fatula credits Northeastern’s co-op program with helping him find the courage to start this venture, by saying that “the ability to work real jobs and then apply what you learned every six months in your classes…extracted the value of what you’re here for, and put me in the mindset to start a business.”

Fatula knew launching a business, however, requires courage and grounding in the face of adversity. To combat this, he leaned on the Northeastern network and the university’s generous community by attending on-campus events and reaching out to the Alumni Relations department for promotional support. “Northeastern is pretty unique with the opportunities it presents,” he says. “Recognizing the opportunity you have and taking full advantage of it is the best thing you can do with [the Northeastern community].”

In the two years since the launch of Guineafowl Adventures, Fatula is proud to say they have grown exponentially, with their sights set on even more expansion in the next three to five. They recently hired their first full-time employee, and have trips booked from the greater Boston area to White Mountain hikes every day going into the summer season. “I want this thing to grow organically over time…yeah there’s risk involved, but with the support I have [from my family and Northeastern], I finally have the opportunity to do what I love for a living.”

Learn more about Fatula and Guineafowl Adventure by following them on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can reach out to Fatula via his website.

Instagram
guineafowl_adventure_co

Website
Guineafowl Adventure

I tell people all the time, the one thing that I would never do differently in my life is the Northeastern experience.”

David Fatula, DMSB’01

“We’re in a phase now where we have a better understanding of sustainability,” says Henry Palmer, DMSB’20. “[We] thought of it in binary terms, either we are or we aren’t. Living sustainably is a journey, and a path that we’re on. I’d rather 100 people make one change than one person make 100 changes.”

Palmer, currently residing in Newton, Massachusetts by way of the United Kingdom, has had a passion for promoting sustainability and protecting the earth’s environment for as long as he could remember. After receiving his undergraduate degree in philosophy, he transitioned into a role with Wild Idea Buffalo Company, an organization that promotes cruelty-free and grass-fed meat production to immerse himself in his devotion to protect the planet.

After working with Wild Idea Buffalo Company for five years, they ultimately partnered with Patagonia and “the timing made sense” for him to go back to school and pursue his MBA. Northeastern’s thorough MBA program and experiential learning experience caught his eye. “I wanted to go to Northeastern because of the focus and support around entrepreneurship,” Palmer says. “Northeastern actively promotes and supports entrepreneurs…and promotes education you can take action with.”

Through the MBA program at Northeastern, Palmer was able to take his previous knowledge of eCommerce and DTC sales in sustainability to the next level, by laying the framework for what eventually became Lochtree, an online marketplace for sustainable products. With the help of DMSB’s eclectic faculty, Palmer was able to run ideas by different professors for a “stress test” of Lochtree’s business plan, before officially launching by graudation in 2020.

However, graduating and launching a business in the midst of a pandemic proved to be a hardship that many, including Palmer, faced. “Being an entrepreneur can be incredibly lonely and isolating. Particularly when you begin and not much is happening…you can genuinely spend time working and have it make little impact,” Palmer says. Despite this, he credits his Northeastern experience with providing him with a sense of being as an entrepreneur to overcome these obstacles. “Northeastern provided a fantastic community you can touch base with…and by setting up events, networking opportunities, and markets. Now all of the sudden you have a community.”

Since its launch, Lochtree has rapidly grown to become a beacon in the sustainability market, with a thriving online store and prominent membership in the 1% For the Planet Organization, an alliance of sustainability businesses that donates a portion of their profits to environmental non-profits. Even with the newfound success, Palmer has his eyes set on the future of not only his business, but our planet. “We are committed to making sustainability simple for everybody…I want to build a durable, authentic sustainable brand that is going to be around for the longrun.”

Learn more about Palmer and Lochtree on Instagram @Lochtree or LinkedIn. You can reach out to Palmer via LinkedIn. You can meet Henry in person by attending this year’s NEXPO on campus.

By Tommy Switzgable

After years of consulting for some of the biggest business firms in Massachusetts, Ye Tian, DMSB’12, decided it was time to stray from the conventional path and forge his own way through the ever-changing world of business. However, Tian wasn’t interested in the prototypical entrepreneur’s narrative of finding an established market to break into—he wanted to create his own market and revolutionize it.

Tian moved to Boston from the Shanghai area to attend Northeastern and study finance at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Coming from a family that launched their own law firm in China, it was only natural for him to use his business degree in the entrepreneurial space. As a result, he started Crafts Zone in 2022, which is the first brick-and-mortar, multi-project DIY studio in the United States, offering crafts like painting, creating candles, and designing clothes.

Situated in the heart of Brookline’s tight-knit Coolidge Corner neighborhood, the Crafts Zone storefront has created an immense amount of buzz during its incipient stage, gaining the attention of many local media outlets like The Boston Globe. Since then, Crafts Zone has “received a lot of support from different local communities and our customers. They [have] helped me with marketing exposure, operating improvement, and recruiting,” says Tian

While the rapid growth of Crafts Zone has quickly made Tian a heavyweight in the Boston-area art market, he is quick to mention his roots at Northeastern and the foundation the university helped him lay in his quest to carve out a new market. “Northeastern provided me a great opportunity to learn whatever I like during my campus life,” he says. “Co-op programs helped me understand the working environment in different industries and networking support helped me a lot when I started my own business.”

Even with the quick rise of his entrepreneurial endeavor and the support of the Northeastern network, Tian has only begun to plant the seeds of this continuously growing operation. “I wish Crafts Zone can be the first national franchise brand for the dating experience in the [United States] over the next five to 10 years,” he ambitiously says. To achieve this goal, he relies on the generosity and support of Northeastern’s large alumni network. “The alumni network helped me a lot in the initial marketing promotion,” he says. “They helped me spread the word of my business…and provided a lot of event opportunities to help me promote my business. Northeastern has a lot of resources that can support your dream.”

Learn more about Tian and Crafts Zone on Instagram @craftszone_boston or reach out to Tian via his website or email [email protected]. Northeastern students receive a 10% discount to Crafts Zone with their Husky Card. If you would like to deepen your support,  donations can be made to the Northeastern Chinese Student Association.

By Tommy Switzgable

“It’s the difference between who do you want to carry you over the finish line—someone who has never worked hard for something or someone who will give you everything they’ve got to get the mission done,” replies Melanie Spears, CPS’19, when asked about the value of a good work ethic. It’s no secret that hard work is a cornerstone of her personality, as proven repeatedly through her experiences in the military and Northeastern University.

After making the decision to drop out of college in 2011, Spears enlisted in the United States Army, achieving the rank of specialist. Her duties included ensuring that her unit was mission ready, and food, water, and ammunition made it to outposts while working as security for NATO forces. She remembers her time in the service fondly, especially given that it scratched her itch for travel, stating that it taught her “every country, city…place I visited, people were proud of where they came from, just like I am.”

However, Spears is unfortunately no stranger to adversity, from navigating the difficulty of living as a sexual assault survivor to beating a colon cancer diagnosis rooted in exposure to toxins while serving. Despite this, Spears chose to use her experiences as a catalyst for inspiration. “Being a survivor of sexual assault, peace is a higher measure to reach than justice. Getting and beating colon cancer…I’ve met people who truly taught me what vulnerability is.”

With a new perspective on the world, Spears used Northeastern’s Yellow Ribbon program to achieve her master’s degree in homeland security. “I knew it was important to me to serve my country in a different capacity,” she says. While attending, she utilized Northeastern’s Dolce Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Service members to grow her network and create personal connections through a series of events, which helped her become a Wounded Warrior Fellow and obtain her current role as a partner business development manager at Cisco Systems.

By using the comprehensive leadership skills developed through her degree program and leveraging the resources provided to her through Northeastern’s veteran network, Spears has made it her personal mission to become an ambassador for spreading awareness of the variety of issues that many veterans face. “Veteran advocacy gives a voice, an image, to who protects and serves the country and the freedoms we have today. It makes it so the younger generation can see that sacrifices come at a price, and what it takes to ensure that those we love…is protecting us from the evils, and if we advocate, we can better protect them when they choose to hang up the boots.”

You can learn more about Northeastern’s master’s in homeland security program here. If you wish to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, you can do so here.

“Be bold, take risks. The Northeastern community will be there to pick you up if you fail at something.”

Melanie Spears, CPS’19

“Perspective is something that I have gained at both NEU and the USAF,” says Brad States, DMSB’23, of Charleston, South Carolina. States, a part-time master of business administration and master of science in finance student, credits both the Air Force and Northeastern for introducing him to the string that intertwines our world. “Following my studies, I now see the global connections [that exist] through business and finance.”  

Prior to enrolling in two of the D’Amore-McKim School of Business’s most popular graduate programs, States worked as a job coach for special education students. Soon after, he decided to look to the sky and expand his horizons—and he did just that by enlisting in flight school and joining the Air Force, where he achieved the rank of captain and the status of a C-17A evaluator pilot.  

However, during his service in the Air Force, States pivoted yet again, developing a newfound interest in business and finance through various conversations with his fellow Airmen. “Spending time with people that have an interest in business and finance leads to long, interesting discussions during long flights or during deployments,” he says.  

This encouraged him to pursue a graduate degree in finance. States decided that Northeastern’s fully remote graduate programming was the perfect fit for his unconventional lifestyle of trying to balance schooling with a full-time military career. “As a part-time MBA student, I am pulled in many different directions due to the requirements professionally, personally, and in my education,” he says. To States, time management is the cornerstone to striking this balance—with Northeastern’s remote accessibility and asynchronous learning being the catalyst for success. 

With his graduation imminent, States reflects on his time at Northeastern and the impact it had on both his education and worldview. Not only was he able to pursue a world-class business education while continuing to serve his country, but he was also able to continue to learn about the world’s interconnectivity using a new lens—through a group of friends at Northeastern, no less, that would never have been in the same room. “[In my military service] I see the similarities and differences that all different people have. [Northeastern] has given me the same. Being able to interact with professionals from many different industries has given me perspective about how people live, work, and view the world.”  

You can learn more about Northeastern University’s part-time MBA program here, and follow the D’Amore-McKim School of Business on social media @NU_Business 

Northeastern has given me a more formal education regarding business and finance…it has opened my aperture to different possible career paths following my time in the Air Force.”  

Brad States, DMSB’23

By Tommy Switzgable

“To me, the fundamental ingredient associated with public service begins with a commitment to creating and sustaining lasting influences so that others who follow benefit from what you contributed to along the way,” says Jim McDonough, CPS’22. “The tools associated with creating that lasting influence are rooted in the development and execution of sound policy that makes a soldier a soldier.” 

McDonough, of Round Lake, New York, served 26 years in the United States Army, working his way through the officer ranks and ultimately achieving the rank of colonel. Beginning his military career in Europe, McDonough eventually found his way back to the United States, where he performed two tours of duty for the Pentagon, including a speechwriting position for the Secretary of the Army. He then deployed to the Middle East out of Fort Bliss, Texas to support Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom before returning home to retire from the Simon Center for Professional Military Ethics at West Point.  

After retiring from the military, McDonough became the CEO of The Headstrong Project, which he describes as a national-facing mental health treatment practice of choice for military connected families. Through his work with The Headstrong Project, McDonough wanted to further his passion for helping veterans, which led him to Northeastern’s doctor of law and public policy degree program.  

Focusing on strategic thinking and research, McDonough noticed there were similar values shared between his time in the service and those taught to him in his degree program—stating that, “…the common thread between my service in the United States Army and my doctoral studies here at Northeastern involves a powerful sense of humility it takes to serve and learn well from others.”  

With a deeper understanding of legal analysis and public policy, McDonough loves to share how his newfound doctorate has catapulted his passion for helping others, especially those who have also served their country. Even with over two decades of world travel and military experience, he credits Northeastern for being a unique vessel that has shaped his perception of public policy through the lens of “contemporary issues that continue to challenge the progress of our society.” Looking back, he says, “my studies have invigorated my appreciation of the role that good people can play in developing good public policy and never giving up on serving the needs of others.”  

Learn more about McDonough and The Headstrong Project on Instagram @getheadstrong. You can reach out to Jim and The Headstrong Project team via their website.

Twitter @getheadstrong

Website
https://theheadstrongproject.org/

Your Northeastern experience should be viewed as just the first step in making a commitment to ongoing learning, the place where you learned how to learn best.”  

Jim McDonough, CPS’22

By Ilana Gensler, MA’19

Madena Mohamadi, SSH’13 got the idea to start JAHAN—an Afghan spice blend company—over the COVID-19 pandemic. “A beautiful part of my culture is food, “says Mohamadi, “and there is such a need for Afghan food in the market.” Mohamadi grew up outside of DC in a big Afghan community, which she hasn’t been able to find at Northeastern. Thanks to FaceTime sessions with her mom, Mohamadi has mastered recipes that have been passed down over generations, like Chapli Kebab, a traditional Pashtun dish full of tangy, nutty, and earthy flavors.

When you read about Afghanistan in the news it’s often negative, according to Mohamadi, who wanted to re-frame Afghanistan and allow others to enjoy aspects of its culture. After figuring out how to recreate test kits of the recipes in smaller batches, Mohamadi started sharing them with friends who were unfamiliar with the cuisine. “When I first started cooking for my friends, I felt a sense of pride and longing for home,” says Mohamadi, “and people’s appreciation of the flavors was heartwarming.”

When it came to the formulations and portions of her spice pouches, Mohamadi’s process involved trial and error. Next, Mohamadi tackled the branding. “I am fascinated by products with labels that include funky aesthetics, like Brightland olive oil,” says Mohamadi. Getting to that point in Mohamadi’s bootstrapped and self-funded business had taken several months, as she also works full time.

Mohamadi’s inspiration to create something to make a difference in the world traces back to Northeastern’s social entrepreneurship program. “There is a humanitarian component to JAHAN,” says Mohamadi, “with 5% of every purchase being donated to the nonprofit, Women for Women International’s emergency response to the dire situation in Afghanistan.” The mission behind Mohamadi’s business has been two-fold. “I want to support Women for Women International and share Afghan cuisine with today’s busy home chefs, one delicious meal at a time.”

Learn more about JAHAN on Instagram @eat_jahan. Join Mohamadi and Urban Wine Club in celebration of International Women’s Day later this month for a virtual event.

March 7, 2022

“When I first started cooking for my friends, I felt a sense of pride and longing for home. And people’s appreciation of the flavors was heartwarming.”

-Madena Mohamadi, SSH’13

Megan Adams, SSH’22, has been described by her coach as the “ultimate team player.” She is the committed, hardworking, and selfless goalkeeper for the Northeastern women’s soccer team. Since making her collegiate debut in 2018, Megan has recorded countless saves for her team and was awarded CAA Defensive Player of the Week.

Even with her busy soccer schedule, Megan has made the most of her five years at Northeastern. She majored in criminal justice, is currently pursuing her master’s in security and resilience studies, and interned at Bain & Company, a top management consulting firm. Her favorite Northeastern experience was traveling internationally for the first time to France and Spain with her team. This memorable trip gave Megan the opportunity to compete in games against European players, immerse herself in other countries’ histories, and attend unique cultural excursions.

Being a part of the women’s soccer program has given me the opportunity to attend Northeastern and build lifelong relationships. I’ve learned more from being a part of the team than anywhere else, and I’m grateful for all of my experiences and opportunities.”

– Megan Adams, SSH’22

Megan identifies her time on the women’s soccer team as an important and special period of her life, and she has generously made a gift in support of her team in gratitude. “Being a part of the women’s soccer program has given me the opportunity to attend Northeastern and build lifelong relationships,” she says. “I’ve learned more from being a part of the team than anywhere else, and I’m grateful for all of my experiences and opportunities.”

January 10, 2022

Nicolas Maciel, E’22, has always had a passion for engineering. Since beginning his academic career at Northeastern, he set out to immerse himself in learning the ins and outs of transportation engineering. Through multiple internships, co-ops, and extracurricular organizations, he’s done just that.

During Nicolas’s first semester, he joined Paradigm Hyperloop. This international team of students from the United States and Canada is making the Hyperloop concept—a mode of transportation consisting of levitating high-speed capsules traveling through low-pressure vacuum tubes—a reality. Now a senior, he leads the Paradigm team as project manager, working to design, build, and test the Hyperloop pods.

Outside of engineering, Nicolas has made countless memories as a member of the Entrepreneurs Club and Club Taekwondo, and through traveling abroad. His most unforgettable experience was traveling to Israel and Palestine to speak with regional and local diplomats regarding the conflict between the two nations, and immersing himself in the culture and geography of the Middle East.

With these accomplishments under his belt, Nicolas recognizes the importance of giving back to the program that made it all possible. He’s made a gift in support of Paradigm Hyperloop, contributing directly to club resources for those who will lead the group after him. “Northeastern has provided me with numerous career avenues both related and unrelated to my experience on the Paradigm team,” says Nicolas. “I feel compelled to return the favor.”

In just a few years, Nicolas has grown personally and professionally. His dedication, enthusiasm, and involvement in the university community have set an example for future Huskies, showing them that at Northeastern, the possibilities are endless.

January 10, 2022

Northeastern has provided me with numerous career avenues both related and unrelated to my experience on the Paradigm team. I feel compelled to return the favor.

-Nicolas Maciel, E’22

Jude Arbogast E’19

ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER, SUFFOLK CONSTRUCTION

By Ilana Gensler, MA’19

As leaders think through a remote-centric approach to work, the traditional office structure is changing. But Jude Arbogast, E’19 isn’t setting up shop at a local café or spare room in an apartment. You may have read about Arbogast’s honorable involvement with The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)—from his inclusion in the 2019 New Faces of Civil Engineering in the College category, to his former role as President. Arbogast shares the inside scoop on memorable moments and lessons learned at Northeastern.

Have you experienced the global Northeastern network? If so, how?
My trip to Delft, Netherlands was my first truly transformative experience outside the United States. My professor repeatedly mentioned, “This would be the best summer of our lives” during pre-departure meetings, something I quickly dismissed. Turns out, he was 100% correct, but it took hindsight for me to recognize that. The opportunity to spend 1-2 months abroad with an eager group of people in their twenties, perfectly scheduled itinerary, and time to explore everything the country has to offer is too good to turn down. For folks who cannot fit in a full semester abroad but want what I believe was a more thorough and invigorating cultural experience, you cannot pass up a Dialogue!

In an evolving professional world, how do you stay ahead and continue to grow your knowledge and expertise?
I am a firm believer in accepting your gaps in knowledge and asking for help when you need it. People love being asked genuine questions about their specialty and will always take the time to teach those who are interested. Not only do these types of questions help you obtain information, they also foster a culture of caring which ultimately leads to genuine, lasting relationships. I have more than one professional relationship that began with being yelled at and has now evolved into an annual, “Merry Christmas!” text.

Tell us how your Northeastern education has impacted you professionally.
The co-op program helps you recognize—and nip—bad workplace habits before you really embarrass yourself in a post-grad position. I often see new employees showing up late, using their phone at inappropriate times, and making other mistakes that are not always black and white but that you learn to avoid with experience. Coming in having already worked that out provides former co-ops with a massive leg up on their coworkers.

October 29, 2021

One piece of advice for someone starting at Northeastern.
Push yourself outside your comfort zone from day one. Whether that means introducing yourself to the people on your hall, or going to a club meeting get involved early and often. You grow by being uncomfortable and the quicker you realize that, the more you will get out of your short time in college.

Where are you today?
I was previously working in Boston but was presented with a great opportunity to move across the country and work with a new team in a brand new sector. It was certainly a scary proposition when initially brought up but opportunity only knocks once in a while so I knew I had to go for it. A global pandemic also meant that I was not leaving behind too much excitement. So here I am, once again in an office trailer but this time with two bathrooms and carpet! Being in a close quarters environment like a trailer means that maintaining positive team dynamics is crucial to staying productive, and more importantly, staying sane. With the long days and constant stressors of construction, the only way to get through it is to lean on your team for support. Over time, team members might kick and scream at one another, but the level of trust and compassion built in the trailer is akin to that of a family’s.

Graduating senior Mohsen Alqunaie, E’21, has always been active in Northeastern campus life. From community service to athletics, he does it all, making the most of his college experience and truly embodying the university spirit. He’s a member of the Hall Council, Triathlon Team, Class of 2021 Senior Year Experience Board, and Northeastern’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Mohsen has also pursued experiential learning opportunities at Northeastern to advance himself and his professional career. He’s been on co-op with Keolis Commuter Services, as well as the Public Works Department with the City of Boston. And last fall, he worked as a research assistant in the College of Engineering and analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on transit and mobility, focusing on Boston’s MBTA, highways, bike shares, and airlines. His enthusiasm for learning knows no bounds, and through his work experiences, he’s found his greatest passion in the field of civil engineering.

Not only does Mohsen commit his time to enhancing student programming as a leader on the Senior Year Experience Board, but he has generously made a gift to the College of Engineering, hoping to pay it forward to future engineering students. “I want to give future students more opportunities at Northeastern,” he says. “I also want to thank Northeastern for the incredible experience it has given me, and I hope the university keeps giving future students an amazing time.”

It’s graduates like Mohsen whose positivity, dedication, and philanthropy continue to inspire even after becoming an alumnus, leaving a legacy at Northeastern and exemplifying what it truly means to be a Husky.

March 24, 2021

Northeastern was huge for us, and instrumental in us getting off the ground. We wouldn’t be where we are without the school’s resources.”

manny lubin, amd’15

Josh Belinsky, DMSB’18, and Manny Lubin, AMD’15, founded Slate Milk in 2018. In 2019, they successfully launched their natural, low sugar, high protein, lactose-free chocolate milks, and their sleek cans can be found in grocery stores across the country. In the early stages of building the company, they received help from IDEA and refined their branding with Scout. Read more about their story here. 

February 23, 2021

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Slate Milk

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In September 2019, Henry Palmer, DMSB’20, launched Lochtree, an online marketplace for eco-friendly products. Through Lochtree, Palmer strives to create meaningful change through sustainability and environmentally conscious behavior. The company is partnered with several initiatives to promote environmental care and create a lasting impact on the world.

Palmer credits his experience at Northeastern for being influential in his entrepreneurial goals. The support and resources provided by the university helped him in the process of building his business. He’s worked with IDEA, gotten guidance from McCarthy’s Venture Mentoring Network (VMN), and is currently partnered with the Northeastern University Marketing Association in their student led-agency program.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Northeastern provides an incredible amount of support, education, and encouragement. It’s been phenomenal. Being an entrepreneur, whether you are a single entrepreneur or part of a team, is intimidating. Northeastern provides a huge community. Take advantage of every single opportunity there is.”

Henry palmer, dmsb’20

February 23, 2021

Generate, operating under the Michael and Ann Sherman Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship Education, is Northeastern’s student-led product development studio. Teams of students connect with clients to work together on engineering product development for early stage startups. Aimed at fostering entrepreneurial engineering on campus, the organization has partnered with clients to help build new technologies.

The organization divides members into five teams: Management, Build Studio, Operations, Outreach, and Branding. There is huge emphasis on the Build Studio, where students contribute to hardware and software production.  

“Since working with Generate I have been doing my best to replicate the construction of that team, and re-acquire the skill sets that they possessed” says Max Thalheimer, founder of earnz. earnz is a customer loyalty platform for small restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Generate worked with Thalheimer throughout the Fall in 2020 to build a customer-facing mobile app and a supporting backend for earnz. 

The student team helped build a foundation for the startup, and since then earnz has continued developing their platform. The mobile app is roughly 30 to 40 percent complete. “earnz has onboarded a front end developer and accepted another full time engineer, making up the current team of six. The team is targeting a Summer 2021 launch of their product in Boston.” 

In 2019, Matthew Swenson collaborated with Generate for SmartyPill, an automatic pill dispenser to address the issue of medication noncompliance in an inexpensive and easy to use fashion. “Generate was instrumental in giving us a barebones implementation of the SmartyPill idea,” says Swenson.  

SmartyPill came to Generate with three prototypes, aiming to create a fourth. Together they sought to address two central challenges: accurately dispensing single pills of any size and decoupling the client and server of their software in order to introduce other user cases to the product workflow. “It was very easy for me to understand Generate’s process, and the documentation and handoff materials helped a ton in continuing development after I was a client. Since Generate, I have been working with my co-founders on improving our hardware, software, and business strategy. We are hoping to obtain a patent for the most recent iteration of our hardware prototype. ” 

SmartyPill was Generate’s first client to have two teams in the same semester: one focused on the hardware components of the product, and the other focused on the supporting software infrastructure. The Software team designed and implemented an API, web portal, and device interface which are extensible and forward-compatible with anticipated future products in the larger Smarty Pill ecosystem. The hardware team was able to design and test a novel universal pill canister design that is modular and can dispense a single pill of a large range of sizes, as well as developing a custom PCB to house the power components required for this prototype. 

Generate is an integral part of what defines the Sherman Center, and by extension what defines the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.” 

Professor shashi murthy, Built for Northeastern by Greg St. Martin

With dedicated university students providing their expertise and skills, Generate provides great opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Northeastern community. Read more about their mission, development process, and some previous works here. Their website details client applications, and the interest form is open year round for prospective clients. For Northeastern entrepreneurs, perhaps this organization can help you generate your startup ideas.  

February 23, 2021

From Nurse to Entrepreneur: Following a Passion for Improving Health Care Delivery

During her third year at Northeastern, Cassie Choi’s nursing professor said “you’re not going to be a bedside nurse for long.” Much to her surprise, this turned out to come true. While working as a nurse for three and a half years, Cassie became intrigued by the business side of health care.

Even as a nursing co-op student, she was compelled to improve systems. She used her evening shifts to reorganize emergency room supply carts so that each one was identical and efficient. At Columbia University Medical Center, she became interested in getting transplants to patients sooner and developed pre-op transplant protocols to improve patient care. At Kaiser Permanente, she discovered a new model of health care —a payer-provider system that aligned incentives for better patient outcomes. Choi was frustrated by the misalignment of administrative functions and patient care and knew she could make an impact in the next stage of her career.  

She was contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn and was hired by a health tech start-up, Forward, specializing in AI-enhanced primary care and preventative telemedicine. From consulting to Director of Operations, Choi was passionate about operational strategy and modern, accessible healthcare.

With her business partner, Neil Batlivala, Cassie Choi co-founded Pair Team in 2019, making her entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Their company provides technology and automation for clinical operations, especially for clinics in underserved communities. She credits Northeastern for early exposure to working with at-risk patient populations, as well as her early-career experience in tech-enabled care solutions. She understood the benefits of automation, and that streamlining administrative tasks could reduce burnout on clinical teams, and result in better care.

February 3, 2021

Choi’s industry advisors and mentors helped her build confidence and she says she would not be where she is today without them.  She benefitted from networks of entrepreneurs and women and learned quickly the art of reaching out. At first she felt shy, but learned that people were very welcoming and willing to share their expertise. Looking back at her unique career evolution, Cassie Choi’s advice is to believe in yourself and notice what motivates you. Her knowledge and path changed over time and her frustrations with the health care system led her to a deeper mission. She naturally questioned why things are the way they are, and suggests we all do the same. It was empathy for patients, and a love of technology that drove her to take career risks and find success and her calling.

STUDENT DONOR

An ambitious leader. An incredible mentor and friend. A true inspiration to her peers and community. Miracle Olatunji, DMSB’22 brings a positive attitude, generous outlook, and unmatched work ethic to everything she does.

Miracle continues to make her mark on Northeastern. She’s part of the D’Amore-McKim Building Belonging Fellowship, the Women in Finance Club, Women Who Empower, the Entrepreneurship Club, Finance for the Community, the Huntington 100, the No Limits Dance Crew, and Innovation at Thrive, the financial literacy education center on campus. Miracle’s favorite part of Northeastern is the myriad of different communities, clubs, and organizations available to its students—and she has made sure to take full advantage.

Through her active roles in women’s programs and initiatives, Miracle has seen firsthand how important, imperative, and urgent the need to support women is—and says that “we have to take bold, purposeful steps toward gender equality,” which “will take a collective effort of stakeholders across government and policy, industries, institutions, and communities.” She is proud to be part of this joint action.

To advance a cause that’s near and dear to her heart—and one to which she devotes much of her time—Miracle made her gift in support of Women Who Empower, a community that has inspired and supported her greatly during her experience at Northeastern. Miracle was part of the university’s inaugural group of Women Who Empower Ambassadors, an opportunity that enabled her “to help further the mission of the community and help build a network of fellow students and alumni who are also passionate about it.” She is also heavily involved in the Women in Finance Club, having served as the club’s vice president of access and now as a mentor.

Miracle believes the relationships built and memories made at Northeastern have been a catalyst for her personal and professional growth. She wants to help ensure this is the case for her fellow Huskies—and that’s why giving back is so important to her.

January 25, 2021

Learn more about student philanthropy at Northeastern

STUDENT DONOR

A true people person and enthusiastic changemaker. With experiential learning in mind and an eagerness to get out of her comfort zone, Maria transferred to Northeastern as a third-year student. Here, she majors in psychology and minors in film production and behavioral neuroscience, blending her passions for critical research and cinema. An aspiring doctor, Maria has put countless hours into these interests and exploring how she can use them to better the lives of others.   

Maria made her gift to the Psychology Department Research Fund because of her ties to the field and appreciation for the impact psychology has on society. Her hope is that supporting this fund will lead to new advancements and discoveries, and improve people’s lives. She says, “I believe Northeastern has the right people and initiatives that can do that.” Through her work with the Senior Year Experience Board, her Northeastern pride will continue long after she earns her degree this year. With her time as an undergraduate coming to an end, Maria is working closely with members of the Senior Year Experience Board to ensure fellow students have unforgettable experiences, opportunities, and moments at Northeastern, just like she did. Among her favorite memories is her co-op, the university’s signature feature.

Maria also cherishes her membership in Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society. The goal of the Northeastern chapter is to encourage both new and experienced student researchers to reach their fullest potential. Through her generous gift to the Psychology Department Research Fund and invaluable efforts in the organizations she’s part of, Maria is elevating the Northeastern experience for her fellow Huskies. Students who go on to become proud alumni, like her, build a crucial base for continued giving—and we are beyond grateful for her role in making this happen.

January 25, 2021

LinkedIn

Learn more about student philanthropy at Northeastern

Associate Director, Advancement at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

By Ilana Gensler, MA’19

While taking a Soul Cycle class in London, Mary McQuillen, DMSB’14 spotted a Northeastern zip-up among the sea of fellow cyclers. Little did she know that this sweatshirt served as an icebreaker for Mary to meet senior vice president for University Advancement, Diane MacGillivray and, ultimately, a catalyst to her role in supporting university programming through Alumni Relations. Mary raised her hand as a volunteer for the New York City community, where she continues to bridge conversations among new connections.

How did Northeastern impact you professionally?

My Northeastern education has been fundamental in shaping my career and the profession that I ended up choosing. The program can be utilized to understand what you don’t want to do, trying my hand at different careers from a large sales organization to executive recruiting to a small media firm. Without Northeastern, I might have made it to front-line fundraising in the healthcare space, but it would have taken me a lot longer to find something that I love to do.

In an evolving professional world, how do you stay ahead and continue to grow your knowledge and expertise?

I’m involved with an organization called Women in Development New York, which provides different networking and professional opportunities to hone our craft and learn from one another. If anything what my time at Northeastern has taught me is that you can gain so many connections and learn so much just from a small group of people. Always keep those lines of communication open and say ‘yes’ to different kinds of opportunities.

Can you think back to how you felt during your first event? And, how has your experience evolved?

It felt pretty natural and a ton of fun – no matter where you are in the world when you meet a fellow alumni, naturally, you have so much common ground. I work in fundraising so I’m always forming connections with people that I don’t know. You can get to know the community better, recognizing folks you might have seen at a past event before, and I corral my friends from Northeastern that live and work in the New York City area.

How my involvement all began in London was just a perfect storm of happenstance. It’s fun to quickly connect with the Northeastern community when I really hadn’t been involved for several years. When chatting with a co-op student at the non-profit social hour we connected over both belonging to the same sorority!

June 29, 2020

What is one piece of advice for someone looking to get involved as a volunteer?

Rip the Band-Aid and give it a try! It can feel like your first day freshman year figuring out who you’re going to talk to at the dining hall, but the people who raise their hand want to form those relationships and networks. There’s a lot to be gained from the amount of time folks in our community are willing to lend a hand.

What’s next for you?

More than ever before, now is a time that we’re all appreciative of the communities that we have in our lives, whether that be friends, family or alumni. I’m going to keep trying to be that connector for the New York City community as much as I can because I’ve gotten so much out of my participation with this group, and am excited to see what the year has to come.

I’ve been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember. In fact, I started my first business at 15, selling juice and snacks at my school in Cape Town, South Africa. We learned early on that consumers needed to understand the nutrition content and ingredients of each product so it could match their dietary needs. Our snack and juice stand was eventually taken over by the school and continues to run today.

When I came to Northeastern a few years later, I knew I wanted to start my own company. What I didn’t know was that Northeastern was the perfect place to help me achieve that goal! Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, Northeastern’s ecosystem has been there to help guide, advise and give me the support I needed to get to the next step.

While at Northeastern, I launched my first venture, a company called Lunchbox that worked on understanding the nutritional components of food. We created a consumer app to help people eat better. Straight off the bat, I connected with the Venture Mentoring Network and was paired with advisors in our industry, who helped us work through initial startup hiccups. I also joined the Health Sciences Entrepreneurs, which gave me access to four mentors, each with a unique experience and skill set that helped us gain a deeper understanding of the sector. With our law and business advisors, we were able to make sure every deal and opportunity we had was well thought out.

Lunchbox eventually merged with a close friend’s venture called, Nutrition Algorithm, and rebranded ourselves as Foodspace – a food + tech company that builds intelligent food experience products using AI, machine learning, and computer vision to help brands and retailers thrive in the digital environment. With a simple product photo or video, Foodspace can process, extract, sort, and format all the relevant data points found on the product packaging. This includes things like brand name, product name, net weight, nutritional information, ingredients, Universal Product Code, packaging type and diet categorization.

As Foodspace was picking up, I was also working as a financial analyst, with clients in several consumer packaged goods companies, including Johnson and Johnson, which gave me insight into how large corporations work. Eventually, I knew I couldn’t keep up with both of my roles. In 2018, I left my 9-5 job to work full-time at Foodspace. At the same time, the partnership with HSE had led us to be invited to several speaking events and aided us in investment opportunities. That year, we began to pivot our consumer operations to a B2B platform in order to provide our technology to retailers, brands and data management companies. This led us to be able to impact more people because now our technology could help power food systems. 

Foodspace’s story is only just beginning, but Northeastern’s entrepreneurial ecosystem played a pivotal role in our success, helping us to avoid many pitfalls that may have become barriers to our growth.

Ayo Oshinaike, DMSB’16, completed a combined Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration at Northeastern, and is currently the CEO of Foodspace. 

May 6, 2020

The Venture Mentoring Network (VMN) pairs Northeastern student, staff, faculty, and alumni ventures with experienced serial entrepreneur mentors. These mentors come from varied industries and work with ventures to address business challenges and specific mentoring needs that will help move the venture forward. VMN mentors have the expertise and are willing to share their mentoring insights on everything from research and development to scaling a business, to reviewing pitch decks. To learn more, visit http://www.northeastern.edu/vmn/ or contact the VMN Team at [email protected].

Health Sciences Entrepreneurs (HSE) promotes health sciences innovation within the Northeastern community by educating and equipping Northeastern student, faculty and alumni health ventures with resources for success. Through hands-on mentoring by industry experts and a healthcare centric methodology, HSE helps entrepreneurs analyze complex healthcare markets leading to a better product market fit. If you have a venture, want to mentor or to learn more, visit https://www.northeastern.edu/hse/about/  or contact Laurie Bishop, Program Manager [email protected].

After two co-ops at large corporations, Dayna Scandone, DMSB’17, decided to follow her passion and opted to join a small, Northeastern alumni-led start-up. Now, with the company growing, she’s coming back to the university to update her skills.

When Dayna Scandone, DMSB’17, entered the 88 Acres office for the first time, she was skeptical. The allergen-free, healthy snack company was set up in a tiny room, with only four employees. Like most Northeastern students, Scandone was hoping this third co-op would turn into a job. Her previous two co-ops – one at Care.com, and another at TJX retail stores companies – helped narrow down her field of interest to marketing. She also knew she wanted to explore the food industry, but a giant food corporation, “didn’t feel right.” When Scandone came across the 88 Acres listing on the Northeastern co-op job portal, she was intrigued by the start-up feel. But, her father’s voice – he is in HR – kept ringing in her ears: “startups are rewarding, but have risks as well.” Scandone knew she was looking for something different, “something with roots,” but true to her Northeastern training, she was cautiously optimistic.

At the time, Scandone didn’t know that this would be a turning point in her career. Her first meeting with 88 Acres founders, alumnus, Robert Dalton, AS’07, and his wife, Nicole Ledoux, convinced her to join the company. “They blew me away,” remembers Scandone. “They have a deep back story of why they created the brand.” On a date with his wife, Dalton’s food was accidentally contaminated with nuts, which Dalton is allergic to. After their emergency room trip, the couple got the idea for developing allergen-free snacks. “It won my heart,” Scandone said. “I decided then and there, it didn’t matter what they paid me, I’ll take the job if they offered it.”

Two years in, Scandone has risen through the ranks and is now a Marketing Specialist for 88 Acres. “I was thrown into the deep end of startup life. Within my time here, we’ve doubled our employees and bakery teams, we are launching new products, and are going national – and I’m working closely with the founders to lead the marketing team through this. Talk about real-life experience!”

Scandone credits her Northeastern experience for “having the bravery to take the plunge.” Through N.U.in, she travelled to Dublin and later to Barcelona, where she discovered her love for photography, and an appreciation for diverse cultures – both skills she is leveraging in her new position. It also helps to be surrounded by the Northeastern network – Scandone regularly stays in touch with fellow former co-op students.

March 16, 2020

Scandone has done well for a recent graduate, but she realizes that to make strategic marketing decisions for the company and stay ahead of the curve, she needs to update her skills. Scandone naturally turned to her alma mater to continue her lifelong learning. She is planning to enroll in the MBA program’s marketing concentration at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business to become better equipped to support the growing 88 Acres marketing team.

Scandone’s career has taken an unconventional trajectory, and she’s confident that her Northeastern network will help her achieve what’s next. “Northeastern is my lifelong connection. No matter what I need, I know I can always come back to Northeastern to get it.”

Meet the man behind some of the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll history.

January 30, 2020

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Senior Manager, Ultrain, China

The first time Qian stepped onto the Northeastern campus, he felt like Harry Potter entering the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! He knew that the door to opportunities was now open, not only during his time on campus, but also beyond. After returning to Shanghai, Qian decided to share his Northeastern experience with other alumni and community members, playing a pivotal role in establishing Northeastern’s first communities in China: Beijing and Shanghai. From supporting alumni professionally, to giving them an opportunity to find their place in the community, Qian continues to serve as the perfect ambassador for Northeastern.

Tell us how Northeastern has impacted you professionally.
As one of the top universities in the USA, Northeastern has helped me gain access to a variety of industries in China, from consulting, and venture capitals, to strategy and investment departments of Internet giants, and some Fortune 500 corporations. As an international student, I had the opportunity to engage with a diverse student population, which taught me empathy and tolerance. Today, I’m a senior strategic manager in a startup business worth $200 million, managing client and investor expectations daily. Without my Northeastern experience, I wouldn’t have felt empowered to meet their needs, and step into their shoes to truly understand their perspective.

Have you experienced the global Northeastern network?
For the past four years as a community leader in Beijing and Shanghai, I have had the opportunity to support many Chinese alumni who were travelling or moving to Beijing and Shanghai. They were looking for a community to help them settle down in a new city, and by attending some of our events, or joining our chat groups online, they were able to find the support they needed.  I have also been able to help American alumni find job connections in China.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?
I am fortunate to be industries that require me to stay ahead of the curve. Both in consulting, and in my current job at a startup, my role requires me to stay on top of technology trends and investment opportunities. You have to be self-motivated, and driven by the fear of being left behind. That drive is critical to learn about the trends and continuously grow your knowledge.

January 30, 2020

What inspired you to give back to Northeastern as a volunteer?
When I came back to Shanghai in 2015, I had no friends or family here, but I knew that there were other Northeastern alumni and recent graduates who were in the same position. So, I contacted the Alumni Relations office, and asked them how I could get connected with the community here. With their help, I organized the first alumni event in Shanghai during Christmas, and we found that so many alumni had a passion for reconnecting with the university and each other. Their desire and passion drove me to take on a leadership role, eventually helping Northeastern establish official communities in Shanghai and Beijing. Today, we’ve gathered hundreds of alumni in these communities, which constantly re-energizes me to do more.

What have you learned by volunteering for Northeastern?
Contributing to your community can strengthen your belief in the kindness of the world. Everyone has moments of vulnerability, but we have the power to support them – and to me, that’s what being an alumnus is all about.

CEO, PAVERART Enterprises, LLC

After high school, Mark Olivito, DMSB’97, wasn’t excited about his future prospects, until a chance meeting with a recruiter sparked an interest in Northeastern. Intrigued by the co-op program, Mark applied and was accepted to Northeastern, where the robust entrepreneurial environment pushed him to stretch his limits, and discover his true potential.

How did your Northeastern experience impact you professionally?

Tremendously! During my time at Northeastern, I completed four, 6-month co-ops at Kraft Foods (two in Chicago, one in New Jersey, and one in Boston), which led to an offer to join the company as an account manager upon graduation; that was the start of 23+ years in the consumer products industry. The co-op program provided built-in motivation for me to work extremely hard academically, and become more goal-oriented. That, coupled with the network at Northeastern, was my recipe for success. Without those foundational skills that I learned through my co-op, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

How do you stay ahead the curve?

Reading, networking, and continuing to push the envelope.  I started a leadership blog (www.hustleorbust.com) in 2012 to “get up to speed” with the world of digital marketing, and it has become a venue for sharing insights on career management, leadership, and innovation. I have also learned a lot from volunteering, board participation, and mentoring. I’ve served on non-profit boards and formal mentoring programs, and am also a volunteer teacher at the Junior Achievement youth organization. Simply being an entrepreneur and managing risk and opportunities, is a constant incentive to do better.

One piece of advice for someone starting at Northeastern.

Leave it all on the field. Your time at Northeastern is a unique opportunity to build a rock solid foundation, so use as many waking hours as possible to learn, take advantage of campus resources, participate in clubs, and work extremely hard to make a real difference in your co-op assignments.  You should be very tired (in a good way) by the time you graduate, but energized at the same time. Have some fun, but take it seriously, and it will pay massive dividends.

January 30, 2020

Your favorite professor or class and why?

Professor Elizabeth Chilvers, Associate Professor and Director of International Finance Co-op, D’Amore-McKim School of Business, was my co-op coordinator, and I think of her often to this day. I was not a great student in high school, but I knew I wanted to do the early freshman co-op from June-December.  I visited her at the start of freshman year, and she “scared me straight!” She said, “Don’t think about it without a 3.0+ GPA,” and from that point on, I got to work. I always remember her smile when I would visit, and she always took time to say hello.

What’s next for you?

I acquired a food manufacturing company in 2014, took over as CEO, and had a successful merger in late 2017, capping off my dream of business ownership at the age of 40-44.  Since then, I’ve acquired a new business, PAVERART, outside of the world of consumer packaged goods, but I feel confident that the skills I learned at Northeastern will be transferable. I hope to continue to give back and make a positive impact on people, both in the businesses I own, and beyond.

Political Affairs and Advocacy Manager, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

If you meet Nick Beek, SSH’12, you will immediately see his passion for bringing communities together. Having served as an alumni mentor for Northeastern’s Co-op Mentor Program in Washington, DC for the past two years, Nick has already helped numerous Northeastern alumni make connections and find the resources they need to achieve what’s next. He is also the co-leader of the alumni community there. For Nick, Northeastern is truly a lifelong connection.

How did Northeastern impact you professionally?

My Northeastern education provided me with the knowledge to compete in a cutthroat job market, and gave me job experience, via the co-op program, to stand out in my industry. The co-op program is essential in helping students narrow down and explore career pathways. Students with co-op experience graduate ahead of their peers from other universities, and have a shorter learning curve.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

I advance my own skills by networking and participating in professional development programs. Alumni events are a great way to expand your network, or simply to make friends. Generally, if you find someone or something successful, it is a good idea to find out how that success happened, and see if you can apply it to yourself or your job.

What inspired you to give back to Northeastern as a volunteer?

I was looking for new experiences in Washington, DC, and wanted to expand my network. Coordinating alumni events provided a fantastic opportunity to check out places that you may not have gone to otherwise, all while meeting folks you have something in common with. At an awkward lull in conversation, you can always mention your love of Chicken Lou’s!

What are three things you have learned by volunteering for Northeastern?

First, by changing the type of event, you’ll pull a different crowd of attendees. Depending on the event, our attendees range from current students to alumni who are senior citizens. Don’t be afraid to try different things.

Second, add a social element to your event. People like to mix and mingle, but don’t exclusively have social events either. When an activity is complemented by the social component, it creates a higher quality event.

January 30, 2020

Third, don’t just talk to your friends at events. You want to create an inclusive environment, and you’ll never know who you will meet. See someone standing alone? Walk up to them. Tell them about your love of Chicken Lou’s! You both went to Northeastern, you have a ton of common ground.

One piece of advice for someone looking to get involved as a volunteer.

Putting an event together is not hard. My advice? Just do it. Find something you want to do, work with Northeastern Alumni Relations on implementing the event, and show up. Honestly, the hardest part is coming up with an idea, and Google TripAdvisor, Yelp, and other Northeastern alumni communities are great resources.

What’s next for you?

I plan to continue volunteering for Northeastern in Washington, DC. We have a ton of great events coming up and are always looking for new volunteers to help take the lead on ideas. Professionally, I plan to continue learning and working in the field of politics and public policy.

Lee Spinale Rea, UC’72, believes in living life to the fullest. This is why she transitioned from her 40-year-long career as a Senior Business Development executive in medical imaging, to owning a local Edible Arrangements franchise for the past 13 years. Lee believes that her Northeastern experience empowered her to reach goals beyond her expectations and personal limitations.

How did your Northeastern education impact you?

If it were not for Northeastern, I probably would not have had a career in medical imaging. Having grown up in a low income household run by a single mother, college was not on the table for me. Tuition was impossible, and I had to stay in Boston to work, and help pay the bills. All that changed when I realized that I could get a degree at Northeastern while still working. I got a co-op opportunity in radiologic technology, performing diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays and Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI). This offered me the opportunity to go to college, and get paid for my clinical training. Without this financial support, I likely would not have made it through the program. From there, the opportunities presented themselves. I was offered the chance to be the first computed tomography (CT) technologist in the country, established an open MRI facility in Waltham, and subsequently became an industry leader in medical imaging. None of this would have been possible without my first co-op. I owe much of my success to Northeastern.

One piece of advice for someone starting at Northeastern.

Work hard, think creatively, and always set your goals higher than what you think you’re capable of.

January 30, 2020

What’s next for you?

I want to continue working with Edible Arrangements as it is a fun atmosphere for myself and my staff, some of whom have been with me since day one. I also hope to continue my volunteer work at the different local Councils on Aging where I cook and give free lessons in arts and crafts. I am a water color artist and make and design hand-crafted jewelry, which I hope to continue doing.

As a career anti-money laundering expert, Joe knew the banking system, with its archaic technology and redundant processes, was due for an upgrade. So, when he heard about bitcoin – the decentralized cryptocurrency that’s traded digitally – unlike his colleagues, Joe saw opportunity. In a market thirsty for credibility, in 2015, Joe launched BitAML, a cryptocurrency compliance advisory firm that brings legitimacy to cryptocurrency transactions around the world.

How did Northeastern impact your professional journey?

My co-op with Liberty Mutual’s corporate investigations department had a profound impact on my major, and eventually, my career in compliance for financial institutions. I got my first job through a connection I made at Liberty Mutual. I owe a lot to the co-op program for helping me define, or rather, redefine, my career track.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

Keep learning. Keep reading, keep researching, keep making new connections, and constantly ask questions. Adopt a student or lifelong learner mentality in any field and you’ll be successful; absorb lessons from a myriad sources, be it industry groups, peers, or even competitors. Bottom line: never stop learning, never stop, period.

One piece of advice for someone starting at Northeastern.

Develop professional relationships with your professors outside of the classroom, especially during office hours. Make sure you work hard and prove yourself to your co-op employer, because many of those opportunities can and do lead to full time jobs. And, if you have the time and the stomach, take things a step further, and launch a startup!

What’s next for you?

BitAML just opened our office in Northern California and are working on a number of new tech innovations that will benefit this fast-growing industry. We’re also hoping to introduce more Northeastern co-op students into our company. The co-op program was such a benefit to me personally and professionally as a student, I’m hoping I’ll get the opportunity to give back as an employer.

January 30, 2020

Interested in reading more about Joe’s career trajectory?
Read his article for Career Newsletter: Breaking Into Cryptocurrency: From Traditional Banking To Bitcoin.

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Entrepreneur Support Analyst, Endeavor Brasil

Lexy Von Keszycki, SSH’16, came to Northeastern for the co-op advantage: having real work experience, and a foot in the door. But during her time here, she got the opportunity to explore another passion – Brazil! Through three opportunities to travel to the country, Lexy was able to better understand the culture and professional environment, and commit to making Brazil her home. And, to make sure she didn’t miss her Northeastern connections, she became a volunteer and started bringing Northeastern to Brazil.

How did your Northeastern education impact you professionally?

It’s impossible to imagine how I would have gotten to where I am today without Northeastern – especially the global opportunities I had. I have been working in Brazil for over two years now, and it would not have been possible without the three opportunities I had to visit the country while at Northeastern. Those experiences allowed me to learn about the country first-hand, and see if I really wanted to live there. I also credit my co-ops, which separate me from my peers when it comes to job hunting, because I am a more professional interviewee and candidate, and have real-world skills, relationship building, and credibility in my resume.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

I listen to a lot of podcasts and seek out online courses to make sure I never stop learning. Currently, I’m enrolled in an online course in social intrapreneurship and how to innovate and create social value inside large corporations. My favorite podcast at the moment is called “Acquired,” which is all about IPOs and M&A transactions.

What inspired you to give back to Northeastern as a volunteer?

Northeastern is a really incredible community that I admire. Living abroad, it is harder to feel close to Boston and other alumni, so I wanted to make sure that I didn’t lose touch. Volunteering has also always been an important value for me.

What have you learned by volunteering for Northeastern?

1. Some of my biggest inspirations have been people I already knew, but I didn’t know their full story.
2. Bringing people together is easier than you think!
3. Global experiences are always the first thing alumni want to talk and hear about.

January 30, 2020

One piece of advice for someone looking to get involved as a volunteer.

Start small, and let your community guide your involvement. You’ll be amazed at how much more engaged you’ll become once you start! If you don’t think you have the bandwidth to plan an event yourself, participate in one first and talk to the organizers. Recruit partners and allies to lighten the load, and always know that if you ask for help, the teams at Alumni Relations will go above and beyond to help you.

What’s next for you?

I plan to keep working at Endeavor, Brazil, where I support the best and brightest entrepreneurs to accelerate their impact and drive systemic change. In a few years, I would like to work for one of the entrepreneurs that Endeavor supports to scale the social impact of their business.

As a civil and environmental engineer, solutions come easily for George Valiotis, E’09. For years as a real-estate professional, George was exposed to the lack of options for recycling glass. Most recycling facilities in US use single-stream, where metals or plastics are processed in one bin. Since glass breaks easily, many facilities reject it, causing most glass to be wasted in landfills. George’s solution: Pace Glass Inc., the world largest exclusively glass recycling facility. The company takes what it can use, and incinerates the rest to produce energy that powers their facility.

Tell us how your Northeastern education has impacted you professionally?

At Northeastern, I learned to adjust to a fast-paced, real-world business environment. Most of my courses had accompanying laboratory programs, and an immense workload paired with grueling deadlines – something I live with every day as a business owner. I also learned presentation skills, and social skills that have helped me network with engineering and design trades in the professional world.

Have you experienced the global Northeastern network?

When attending industry events overseas, I have often come across Northeastern alumni who have helped me in my career, or to navigate a crowded party! I’m always happy to find fellow Northeastern alumni lend a helping hand, no matter where we meet around the globe.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

I rely on industry news, research, and industry-specific professional publications to stay on top of my field. It is critical to know the inside scoop on the latest technological break-through. Learning about your peers, and staying informed on innovation are critical keys to success. Learning from some of the top leaders in any industry also allows you to become a better professional.

One piece of advice for someone at Northeastern?

Take co-op opportunities at various industries within your field of education to diversify your overall experience upon graduation. The co-op opportunities at Northeastern lead to employment, and give students a better idea on what to focus on as a career.

What’s next for you?

Remaining a dominant force in both real estate and recycling. Pace is looking to grow in states like California, Seattle, North Carolina, and Chicago, with a 10-year goal of expanding glass recycling for all glass waste throughout the US. We are also in talks with the local government to distribute and deliver excess energy from incinerating glass to support our neighboring communities, since the energy produced through glass incineration is more efficient than natural gas. In real estate, I hope to see a more favorable environment for buying and selling commercial assets in the US and overseas. I believe the recently-approved Opportunity Zone Fund will facilitate real estate investment in impoverished and underutilized areas throughout the US. In addition, I intend to focus on cities like Paterson, NJ and try to be a positive force in all the communities that I am invested in.

January 30, 2020

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As a healthcare IT professional, Ravel was looking for ways to expand his skills. But, he wasn’t just looking for another degree; he was looking for a career. When Ravel came to Northeastern, he got just that: a master’s degree in Informatics, a co-op at System Analysis Services, LLC, an experiential consulting project through the Experiential Network (XN) program, and a new business, supported by the university’s venture accelerator, IDEA.

How has your Northeastern education helped you achieve what’s next.

Along with the rigorous classes in the Informatics Master’s Program, I credit three programs for launching my career: XN, co-op, and IDEA. Through the XN program I gained consultancy-like experience, while balancing classes and a full-time job. The co-op gave me hands-on industry experience, leading me to establishing my own venture, supported by IDEA, called Game Learners- a service that helps children uncover the educational power and health benefits of commercial video games. I had a new perspective on business that I now leverage in my job as a consultant – everything from marketing, entrepreneurship, and data-science and information security. These experiences clearly differentiated me from my peers, giving me an upper hand in my career.

How has the global Northeastern network benefited you?

From interviews, to professional networking events, and even local social events – I connect with Northeastern alumni everywhere. Our network is filled with people who are driven, want to be helpful, and are hungry to achieve more. Whether it’s offering an introduction to someone else, a pointed recommendation, or personal feedback, I find that people in our network are always trying to open the right doors for each other.

One piece of advice for someone starting at Northeastern.

Don’t ignore email! It may sound trivial, but a lot of the organizations and events I enrolled in started from an invitation that conveniently landed in my inbox. Information about the XN program or invitations to career building webinars all started as emails and ended up being instrumental in my professional development. It’s also a great way to stay connected to the network if you’re remote, like I was.

What’s next for you?

Besides travel, my next goal is to become a subject matter expert in my field. I’d love to return to Northeastern as an adjunct professor and give back the skills and experience I gained from my alma mater. I also plan to continue participating in alumni programming, from free online courses, to baseball games, to keep growing my network.

January 30, 2020

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While studying behavioral neuroscience, Sam joined the university’s a cappella group, The Nor’easters, as a hobby. That moment changed her life. From appearing in a popular TV show, distributed on Netflix and Hulu, to performing live at the White House for President Barack and Michele Obama, Sam’s career trajectory has taken a full U-turn. Today, she’s a professional recording artist with two singles released last year, and another on the way. Sam is not looking back!

From neuroscience to music – how did that happen?

I had worked with children for most of my life, including three years during my first co-op at The May Institute. Nothing made me feel as accomplished as making a pivotal change in another human’s life. This epiphany is one I credit to my Northeastern education. I joined the Nor’easters during my freshman year to escape from the demands of being a full-time student. Over time, my passions for music and healing found each other in songwriting. I believe I am a better songwriter because of my understanding of the human condition, thanks to my undergraduate degree. I also took a few electives that have helped me understand the business side of the music industry.

How has Northeastern’s global network impacted you?

I have been a beneficiary, and a contributor to the network. As a member of the Nor’easters, we took the diligence and leadership skills we used during courses, and poured it all out into the a cappella group, which led us to some fascinating opportunities. We were cast on a network television show, and later the Fox Network equivalent in Australia, FoxTel Network, which invited us to perform on “The Today Show” and tour Australia in preparation for the premiere of the show “Sing it On.” This led us to a plethora of incredible collaborators and professionals who now associate us in a positive light with the university. I have used the network in LA and Australia countless times to access many door-opening opportunities.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

There is no better way to learn than to question those who have firsthand experience in the industry. For example, I met a co-op student at Capitol Records in LA, and asked him about what labels are looking for today, what talent scouters are interested in, and how a major record deal functions. The next day, I met with an artist manager with expertise in growing a social media following. The day after that, a meeting with a new business owner – a sync/publishing company looking to sign new talent for TV/Film placements. The more I know about the industry I work in, the better I am able to navigate through it and set myself up for success.

What’s next for you?

In the upcoming months, I am releasing a third single as a solo artist. That song, “After Midnight” will be accompanied by a music video that I conceptualized and styled myself, with support from my fellow Nor’easter, Isaac Willnow, AMD’16. I intend to keep writing songs that empower people, especially in the themes of self-love, respect, and female strength.

January 30, 2020

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It was always clear to Double Husky, Yemi Arunsi, CPS’12, BHS’14, that he wanted to give back to his community; Northeastern helped him find his calling. From classes that challenged his limits, to professors who were vested in his future, to lifelong bonds he created through his Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Yemi credits Northeastern for the service-focused trajectory of his career.

How did your Northeastern education impact you professionally?

Northeastern has opened up opportunities for me. My capstone project tied directly to my job, helping me apply my classroom learning to my career. During my undergraduate studies, I also joined the Student Conduct Board, and interacted with university leadership, which built my network across the different schools. Having professors who were industry leaders in their respective fields ensured I was walking into the workplace prepared and ready to hit the ground running. Northeastern gave me the confidence to compete for new positions and promotions, knowing I was competent and prepared.

How do you stay ahead and continue to grow your knowledge and expertise?

The most important question I ask myself every day is what can I offer that no one else can? This drives me to enroll in continuing education and graduate certification courses at Northeastern, many of which are taught by industry leaders. I also raise my hand to take on new challenges. For example, I recently became a member of a task force at work that is researching how Blockchain technology can improve interoperability in healthcare, specifically by creating a single storage location for health data, tracking personalized data in real-time, and applying data access permissions on a base level. The new learning keeps me energized and engaged.

One piece of advice for someone starting at Northeastern.

Find a mentor – it could be a senior in your major or a professor in your college. Maintain and build those relationships while on campus. Apply for leadership positions and programs on campus. I became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and we volunteered for numerous activities in the Boston area, which improved my experience at Northeastern.

January 30, 2020

Your favorite professor or class (remote or on-campus) and why?

Taking Professor Shari Robbins’s course on Organizational Behavior and Change Management was the turning point in my professional career. I took the class just as my office was going through an important organizational change, and I was able to leverage the change management techniques she taught to help support my agency. This led to increased visibility within the leadership team, and an eventual promotion.

What’s next for you?

Working as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has been tremendously rewarding. This fall, I was activated by the Air Force Reserves for a one year tour, after which I will return to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Health Informatics to help lead our electronic health record modernization efforts. My Northeastern degrees have provided me with industry leading skills that I have used to support the mission of VA to care of our nation’s Veterans. There is no greater calling than service to others.

Senior Executive, Product Discovery and Personalisation, Sephora, SEA

Yuki Shuck knew that a Northeastern degree would set her apart academically, but when she graduated with two years of work experience, and a global network that extended to every corner of the world, she knew she had hit the jackpot. Connections and relationships are what made Yuki’s Northeastern experience unique, and after graduating and moving to Singapore, she knew she wanted to maintain that network. She became the Singapore Community leader, and has been sharing her passion for everything Northeastern with community members for the past three years.

Tell us how your Northeastern education has impacted you professionally.

Through Northeastern’s co-op program, I was able to gain a wide range of experiences. From working at Fortune 500 companies with more than 2,000 employees, to a small advertising agency with around 50 people. I graduated with close to two years of work experience, which prepared me for interviews and gave me confidence in the workplace. I also found my true passion– data-driven decision making – thanks to my Northeastern coursework. I knew I wanted to work in marketing, but I found a niche at the intersection of tech and data that I wouldn’t have discovered outside of Northeastern.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

I used to attend speaking events when I was in Boston because it was a great opportunity to meet passionate women in tech, data and marketing, and understand the industry landscape. I knew I wanted to do the same after graduation, and found professional groups in Singapore such as Women in Product. I also learned a lot from attending alumni events, and learning about different people’s roles at various companies and industries. Continuously surrounding myself around intelligent and passionate people helps me grow my own knowledge and expertise in my field.

What inspired you to give back to Northeastern as a volunteer?

I was a second-year student when I first started volunteering. As I was building my network to start my club, Students of Singapore on the Boston campus, I knew that I could continue to do this when I moved back to Singapore as an alumna. Through volunteering, I have had the opportunity to meet incoming students, co-ops and students on exchange in Singapore, as well as the alumni who either returned home or moved to Singapore to work. It’s exciting to build those relationships and know that I can always be there to support my network no matter where it is in the world.

January 30, 2020

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What are three things you have learned by volunteering for Northeastern?

1. The community is really grateful for the effort you put in. It’s a wonderful feeling to see that people are enjoying themselves and to know that the connections formed can last beyond the event.
2. The bond between strangers attending the same university is second to none. Talking about crossing Huntington Ave, or struggling to find an open seat at Snell during finals week, are experiences that are common to every Northeastern student. And while these moments go by unnoticed, reminiscing with other people always brings me joy.
3. Even though I am planning events on the other side of the world, the team at the Office of Alumni Relations is extremely enthusiastic about growing the global community.

One piece of advice for someone looking to get involved as a volunteer.

Don’t be afraid to reach out and use your existing network, and connect with alumni on LinkedIn.

What’s next for you?

I’m looking for more opportunities to grow my network within the local start-up scene in Singapore. I’m interested in non-profit work, sustainable energy, and artificial intelligence, in particular. I hope to find more opportunities to work with companies focused on creating strategic innovations with an intent to make a positive impact in the world.

Don’t be afraid to reach out and use your existing network, and connect with alumni on LinkedIn.

Few have the privilege of finding their passion, and making it a career. Ayukta Thakur, AMD’12, decided to volunteer at a government school for children with special needs after she moved to Dubai following her undergraduate degree at Northeastern. She immediately found an avenue for her skills, and became an educator and advocate for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She knew she’d found her calling. In 2016, Ayukta co-founded Integreat Center for Young Adults with Special Needs, which is Dubai’s first center that exclusively caters to young adults, and utilizes a holistic approach to teaching life skills development and vocational training. She is also a Board Member for the 2019 Special Olympics UAE organizing committee.

How did Northeastern impact your professional journey?

Education is not only about learning science, business, or history, but also gaining experiences – and that’s what Northeastern gave me. I learned about different people and relate to their individual experiences. I learned about leadership, teamwork, problem solving, organization, perseverance, motivation, and most importantly, the importance of communication through effective and efficient media. Setting up Integreat Center had a handful of struggles where problem solving, and communication played a vital role. I was a young educator making my way as an entrepreneur. During the first year of enrollment, a lot of parents had doubts in our ability, so perseverance and confidence played an important role. I learned through some trial and error – a quality that Northeastern taught me to be okay with. All these experiences define who I am today, and why I’ve made it my life’s calling to ensure that individuals with special needs can also learn these important key skills to be independent and successful in life.

January 30, 2020

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

By constantly meeting people, not just in my field, but across different walks of life. By reading, attending conferences and workshops, and continuing my lifelong learning.  After graduation, I have been studying non-stop. I completed my SEND Diploma online, got my certificate in applied behavior analysis, and also pursued a Master in Mental Health Psychology at the University of Liverpool.

What’s next for you?

To continue advocating for inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities. This is just the beginning. I want Integreat Center to have sustainable financial operations without my daily involvement, and ensure that team members are getting the resources and training they need to for the long-term success of our Center.

Director, Co-founder, Workspott

A chance meeting with a fellow alumnus gave Van Sharma, SSH’11, CPS’13, the boost he needed to formalize an idea that’s disrupting an industry in Central London.

Double Husky Van Sharma, SSH’11, CPS’13, exemplifies the impact of the Northeastern network. After completing his degrees, Van was on-track to pursue a career in diplomacy, but an unexpected job interview landed Van in a sales role in London, UK. He did well, but he knew something was missing. During an alumni dinner in London, Van met fellow alumnus, and leader of the UK community, Zach Mammadov, MA’03. Van and Zach informally stayed in touch for five years, discussing their passion for all things entrepreneurship.  It wasn’t until 2018 that they both decided to bring their vision to life with the launch of WorkSpott – a company that transforms underutilized venues across central London into drop-in workplaces for freelancers and entrepreneurs looking for productive and cost effective solutions. Equipped with their entrepreneurial training from Northeastern, these alumni are taking over London, one “spott” at a time.

How has Northeastern impacted you professionally?

I received a valuable ticket to my professional life from Northeastern. Even though Zach and I attended Northeastern at different times, we met at an alumni dinner and stayed in touch, eventually gaining the inspiration to launch WorkSpott. From meeting for a coffee to discussing the idea, right down to our first location launch in London’s Kings Cross, right next to Google and YouTube’s office locations – Northeastern has very much been the glue that cemented this partnership together. Northeastern’s approach to education and learning has prepared us to be disruptors in our industry.

How do you stay ahead of the curve?

The learning and development component is critical to our concept at WorkSpott, especially since this the idea of shared office space and co-working is fairly new in Central London. Just like a regular office employee, our users want to grow their skills to remain competitive in today’s landscape. To cater to that need, we offer a free package of professional coaching and development to our members. We wholeheartedly believe that it’s crucial to grow your knowledge and expertise, and stay resilient and ahead of competition.

January 30, 2020

One piece of advice for someone starting at Northeastern.

Enjoy the ride and stay present. The best years of your life are ahead of you, so learn as much as you can from different people, befriend people who are not like you, and grow your global network every day. It will pay off a great deal after you graduate.

What’s next for you?

Zach and I are both excited to be working within one of London’s most dynamic industries as an ambitious startup within the co-working and shared office arena. We are looking to grow our footprint in the UK and possibly beyond. We are a big believers in collaborative working and drop-in workspaces, where we get to meet and interact with diverse entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startups across industries on a daily basis, and help them grow. We are determined to deliver our drop-in workspaces to a much wider audience going forward.