Northeastern University, D'Amore-McKim School of Business

Q: What was your background before coming to Northeastern?  A: My undergraduate degree was non-traditional in that I didn't have a classic business education or degree. After college, my passion for theater led me to start my career in stage management. I apprenticed at The Julliard School and became a professional stage manager with multiple opera companies, including the Boston Lyric Opera. After four years, I wanted more stability and sought opportunities in operational and project management roles in Massachusetts. I earned a project management professional (PMP) certification and began a new career in the pharmaceutical industry. I now lead a team at Sage Therapeutics, where I oversee all preclinical operational activities and have financial and budget responsibilities. Q: What inspired you to pursue your MBA?   A: I feel very strongly about enhancing and honing my business knowledge. I want to gain a more solid foundation so that I can lead more effectively As an MBA student, I want to improve my ability to manage and motivate high-performing teams by immersing myself in the principles of effective leadership and exposing myself to a spectrum of business disciplines. By doing so, I will grow as a leader and be prepared to take on more challenging roles and responsibilities. Q: Why was the Part-Time MBA at D'Amore-McKim the right fit for you?  A: The Part-Time MBA's balance between flexibility and rigor produces well-rounded business leaders. One of the best parts of studying part-time is directly applying what I'm learning in class to my full-time job. For example, my accounting class helped me build critical skills for essential financial practices, positioning me to approach our recent budget cycle with a different mindset. This allowed me to see business problems clearly, identify the strategic implications of potential solutions, and develop innovative ways to achieve organizational goals. Q: How will you apply what you're learning as a student to your professional career?  A: I had ten years of work experience coming in, but I am still learning things as a student that are helpful in my current role. The MBA program sets you up to think from different perspectives and approach projects in new ways. I've built a network of professionals and mentors that have supported me throughout. The MBA program covers a wide range of business disciplines, including finance, marketing, operations, and strategy that have made me more effective in my current role. It has helped me propel my career, improve strategic agility, and become an effective communicator. It's hard to say what the future will look like, but I feel that the foundation that I'm getting at D'Amore McKim will set me up for whatever that next step might be. Q: Would you recommend the part-time program to others? If so, why?  A: I would absolutely recommend the part-time program to others. The level of material and diverse perspectives that you're getting from professors and students is invaluable. As a student, you are propelled into thinking in new and different ways. Most importantly, you can immediately apply what you learn in class to your job. This real-time application is so beneficial in that it helps reinforce concepts and fosters practical learning.

Q: What was your background before pursuing your graduate education? A: I come from a small town in India. In 2016, I completed my undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and then started working in ERP implementation at a manufacturing facility. Despite my initial plans, I was placed in a materials management team that focused on supply chains. While working there, I realized how important supply chains are to business and their role in contributing to everyday life of a person. It's something that's really fascinated me. I switched to Deloitte India and continued my career in supply chain management. Q: Why did you choose the MBA program at D'Amore-McKim? A: I decided to pursue my MBA from Northeastern University because I wanted to learn more about supply chains and gain managerial experience. There were a few reasons I selected Northeastern. I chose to pursue a Full-Time MBA at D'Amore-McKim because of the corporate residency program, which gives you real-world experience while you are learning in college. Additionally, the supply chain concentration has some really experienced professors that have definitely helped me in gaining business expertise. My concentrations were in supply chain management and business analytics. Business analytics plays a very crucial role in today's fast-changing environment. My classes at D'Amore-McKim created a perfect foundation for my business expertise. They gave me an in-depth understanding of how important analytics are in driving strategies. Q: What was your corporate residency experience like with Charles River Laboratories? A: Supply chains are critical in the healthcare industry, so working at Charles River Laboratories helped me build relevant experience to prepare me to meet my career goals. My role was to leverage business analytics to define and execute supply chain strategies. I had a lot of responsibilities on a project called Tail-Spend Consolidation. While working on this project, I was responsible for identifying low-spend suppliers and ultimately removing them from the company database. I successfully executed the project, it delivered a savings of around $160,000. It meant a great deal to me to have this experience as a corporate resident. Q: What advice do you have for anyone considering the D'Amore-McKim Full-Time MBA? A: The main advice that I would like to give to prospective students is never give up on your dreams. I come from a very small town in India and I never gave up on my dreams. Work consistently towards achieving the goals that you set for yourself. Sometimes you'll feel lost, but you have to believe in yourself. You need to realize that if you've made it to Northeastern University, you definitely have what it takes to succeed in business.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background before pursuing graduate school. A: I'm originally from Venezuela, but I moved to Panama when I was 11. When it came time to go to college, there weren't many opportunities in Panama to pursue the career path I was interested in. So, after conversations with my parents, I decided to apply to schools in the United States to earn my undergraduate degree. I later enrolled at the University of Virginia, where, despite initially not knowing what I wanted to do, I fell in love with computer science. So, I pursued my degree in that field and graduated in May of 2020. Q: Why did you decide to pursue your MBA, and what made you ultimately choose Northeastern? A: After earning my Bachelor's Degree in computer science, I still didn't really know which area of the field I wanted to work in professionally. I eventually narrowed it down to project management, and started looking at different project managers within the software space to see what their backgrounds were. Funny enough, I found that a lot of successful project managers have some computer science background, and also a business background in management. I figured, what better way build management skills than to earn an MBA? I knew immediately that I wanted to come to Boston, so I started looking at different opportunities for MBA programs here. I found out about Northeastern through word-of-mouth, and was really attracted to the fact that the school has a great experience-driven curriculum and corporate residency program. All of those things led me to Northeastern. And I have to say, I made a great choice. Q: You currently have two concentrations in artificial intelligence and analytics. What made you choose these pathways? A: AI and machine learning are super useful in business today, and I knew I wanted to get a better grasp of those concepts; essentially, learn them in detail and understand the actual math behind many of these algorithms that we take for granted. For instance, when you search on Google or YouTube, there's actually tons and tons of data being passed through these algorithms and models, but we don't think twice about it. Both artificial intelligence and analytics are interesting to me, as computer scientists are naturally drawn to those areas. But I could also see their use cases in business, and in the world that we live in right now, data is such a useful commodity. Understanding how to handle data and knowing how to use it to your advantage—whether by optimizing a process you have within a business, to increase sales, or to improve customer experience—is a skill that I think is unparalleled. Q: How have you applied your knowledge thus far at D'Amore-McKim to your current corporate residency? A: Right now, I'm on my corporate residency as a data analyst at Charles River Laboratories. Basically, what I do all day is analyze scientific data. For instance, I'm building some models to predict and interpret sales data for a company. A lot of the concepts I've learned in classes, such as machine learning and data analytics, I've directly applied to what I'm doing right now for Charles River, and have even referenced a lot of my class notes which have been super useful. As far as the other business classes, it's the MBA way of thinking that I've taken away most. You have a problem and you organize your way through to the solution. You start at the core issue, then determine how to address it, and understand the consequences of doing things in a certain way that are different from other stakeholders' perspectives. This way of thinking can be usefully applied to any field or function in your career. Q: What long-term goals are you working toward? A: My dream is to work in big tech as a project manager somewhere. Right now, I'm drawn to fields like blockchain, with a surge in new kinds of cryptocurrencies. It's a different way of thinking about systems because they're decentralized, whereas the ones we are used to are centralized. And so, I definitely want to go that route, and project management would be ideal.

Q: Tell us about your background. A: I was an athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski team. I was a successful skier but after 15 years of skiing, I wanted to use my brain in a different way, and I started to think about what I could do next. I hoped to pursue a more sustainable career, something I was passionate about and could do for a long time. I had a bachelor's degree and some work experience from short-term internships, but I knew I wanted to learn more and deepen my experience. That desire led me to the Full-Time MBA at Northeastern, where I hoped to build my foundation and understanding of modern business practices and prepare for my next career move. Q: Tell me about your student experience at D'Amore-McKim. A: I've had a great student experience. The Northeastern community is remarkably diverse; there are people from all over the world with vastly different backgrounds. Studying alongside these students has been fantastic and a great way to build my global network. The environment at Northeastern is inclusive and all students are treated with respect. When working on a group project, everyone's unique perspectives are valued and yield dynamic end results. Northeastern encourages collaboration, and you learn to solve problems as a team and trust others. In the Full-Time MBA program, we all have different goals but still work together. My communication and collaborative skills have improved greatly throughout this program. Working towards my MBA has helped me realize that I can solve problems, meet deadlines, provide insights, and work with others. This program has allowed me to realize my potential. Q: How has your identity as a U.S. Paralympic skier impacted your role as a graduate student? A: My identity as a student and professional athlete connects on several levels. I wish I had the knowledge I have now when I was skiing and managing sponsorships. Sponsorship is all about creating a positive and healthy image for brands to support. I was constantly trying to figure out where to add value and ways companies could invest in me. In business and skiing, you deal with people and learn how to form relationships. You're learning to pitch yourself, sell your story, and add value through relationships. My MBA has allowed me to more deeply understand sponsorships, what businesses consider as they position and expand their brands, and I am now better able to represent and advocate for myself. A lot of ski racing comes down to pure physical talent and putting yourself out there. As a result of my athletic background, I am willing to take chances, push myself, and be more confident as a student. The courses I've taken so far and the experience I've gained have taught me how to make impactful business decisions and envision success in my business career. Q: You completed your corporate residency at IDEXX. Could you talk about your experience there? A: During my corporate residency at IDEXX where I worked as a supply chain analyst, I enjoyed learning how the business worked, how I could make an impact, and developing business relationships. At IDEXX, I worked on a lot of supplier relationship management issues. I learned the systems they've developed and reviewed lots of company data. My colleagues helped me through the work and were willing to contextualize the data by explaining their processes. I analyzed these processes and made improvements based on my findings. Everyone I worked with was willing to help me learn and eager to see me make an impact in their supply chain management. Overall, it was a great experience. Q: How will your corporate residency empower you to reach your professional goals? A: As a result of my corporate residency, I experienced a variety of work environments, and I feel that I've built an understanding of the many facets of business. I am interested in supply chain and corporate finance, and after being a Northeastern MBA student, I feel comfortable in my ability and being able to sell myself as an asset to future employers. My corporate residency has taught me a lot about interpersonal business relationships, and I am confident that this experience will help me succeed in future roles. Q: What advice would you share with future students? A: Pursuing an MBA is a fantastic way to broaden your foundational knowledge and gain a better understanding of how the business world works. The D'Amore-McKim MBA provides practical experience and learning. I think that if you want to change careers, transition to a new role, or simply elevate your skills, an MBA is super valuable, and this program supports its students through that process.

Q: As a veteran working in cancer research, why did you choose to pursue an MBA? A: While on active duty, I completed my undergraduate degree in biology. Once I graduated, I began a job at Brigham and Women's Hospital as a pancreatic cancer lab manager and researcher. After two years, I knew I wanted to be in the business world and build the skills to become an entrepreneur. Earning an Full-Time MBA felt like a natural step for me to gain the education, network, and foundational business acumen to succeed in my career as an entrepreneur. Q: What made the D'Amore-McKim MBA the right MBA for you? A: I was drawn to Northeastern because of the MBA program's successful alumni and their careers. I valued this because I want to be successful and see the fruits of my labor following graduation. I was also looking for a strong entrepreneurial community. I ultimately chose D'Amore-McKim because it is renowned for entrepreneurship and the resources available to students and alumni. Q: Tell us about your experience as a Posse Veteran Scholar. A: I am a Posse Veteran Scholar and carry this title with immense pride. I'm a Posse Veteran Scholar alumnus of Vassar College and a current Posse Veteran Scholar of Northeastern. I will be eternally grateful to those at the Posse Foundation who believed in me early in my career and to D'Amore-McKim for affording me the Posse MBA scholarship. I was awarded this scholarship due to my leadership abilities, professional and academic potential, and service to this country. I benefitted from the Posse MBA scholarship as it has helped me find my place at a top-tier institution and provided me with an incredible support system once there. I am grateful to D'Amore-McKim for valuing someone like me and recognizing me as an emerging leader. Q: How has your veteran identity benefited you as an MBA student? A: I knew that my background as a military service member would help me pursue an MBA because I have an essential set of skills, including leadership and teamwork, plus the work ethic and adaptability that you need to achieve this degree. I have leveraged these skills in order to succeed in this program. They have prepared me for the ever-present collaborative work environment at Northeastern and have allowed me to either take charge of a project or work as a team member in this program. These skills solidified through my time in the program, partnered with the business knowledge from my coursework, will surely prepare me for my career as an entrepreneur. Q: Where did you do your corporate residency, and what was your position? How did this experience benefit you? A: I custom-designed my corporate residency experience to align with my goal of becoming an entrepreneur through the Sherman Center at Northeastern. My position was CEO of my own venture, and during this time, I was given the opportunity to freely pursue enterprises of my creation. This formative experience gave me the confidence to believe that I could pursue another venture in the future. This glimpse into the life of an entrepreneur helped me understand in a new way the importance of communicating my vision to others, including investors, collaborators, or potential customers. One of the most critical lessons I learned during my corporate residency was how to trust myself and my ideas. I pursued a myriad of ideas risk-free, all within a few months, and will carry lessons learned with me. Q: You earned an MBA x concentration in experience design. Can you share your experience with interdisciplinary learning? A: Because of the flexibility and nature of the MBA x concentration, I've been able to take a wider breadth of interdisciplinary classes, which has had a huge impact on me by triggering new ways of thinking that I will apply in my career. For example, when starting a new venture, I focus not only on the business model and financial projections but also on the user experience. By incorporating experience design principles into entrepreneurial ventures, I can create products and services that exceed expectations. I am thankful that Northeastern has this offering because, in the long run, by incorporating what I've learned, I can build better products, create stronger relationships with customers, and differentiate myself from competitors. Q: What advice do you have for future students? A: If you are keen to become an entrepreneur, I would say to dive in. Don't be scared to take a chance on yourself. Going through different projects and classes has challenged me. Still, there are so many resources available at D'Amore-McKim and Northeastern University that I put myself out there and learn a lot, all while feeling like I have a true support system

Q: What was your educational background before you joined the Part-Time MBA program? A: I was a competitive swimmer as an undergraduate, which really opened my eyes to the idea of equity in sports. I started to understand that I had a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. I got my master's degree in child development and developmental psychology because I wanted to give underrepresented kids access to a high-quality education. I taught kindergarten through second grade and loved it, but I wound up leaving teaching for personal reasons. I still felt the call of using sports as a way to talk about social justice issues. That led me to the Master of Sports Leadership program here at Northeastern. Q: How did your work experience lead you to pursue an MBA? A: All my work roles have had a common thread of social consciousness—making sure all voices are heard. I worked for various nonprofits while I was getting my second master's degree, including the Center for Sport and Society at Northeastern. I facilitated conversations with athletes about using their platforms to elevate consciousness and promote social justice. That led to a position with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in DEI and student leadership development, where I worked to make high school programs in the state more inclusive. I eventually heard about the role opening at the Asian American Center, so I applied and got the job. The thing is, I love being in school. I consider myself a lifelong learner. And I've always had this seed of an idea in my head that I could start my own educational curriculum publishing company, but I needed to understand what really goes into owning a business. When I realized I could pursue my part-time MBA while I was working, and that there would be opportunities for me to bring my passion for social justice into the classroom, I took the leap. Q: Are you applying what you learn on the job? A: Yes—I manage a budget as part of my job, and now I have a much greater understanding of fiscal cycles and forecasting. At the moment, I'm taking a class in human resources management that is one of the best I've had so far. It focuses on the people side of the business. This is where my interests lie—managing teams, understanding politics and power, and dealing with discrimination at work. It's already making me a better leader. Q: How do you think the program is preparing you for the future of work? A: All business is data-driven now—you need so much data just to get a business off the ground. You need to know how to collect information, perform research, do market analysis, and understand which data is meaningful going forward so you can pivot when the market changes. I've learned a lot in this program about using and interpreting data, which I didn't have enough experience in before. Q: How will your degree empower you to achieve your goals? A: I'm particularly interested in two concentrations, the first being Entrepreneurship. As part of my coursework, I came up with an app concept that I think will help people—I got great feedback from my professor, and now I'm going to study the business development side of it. I don't know yet whether this is something I would pursue full time, but I see definite potential in it. I can also see myself helping younger people develop their leadership potential through mentorship and workshops, which is why I'm also strongly considering the Leading People & Organizations concentration. I'm learning so much here, and the professors make everything understandable and applicable to different situations. My career journey has been organic so far, taking me from opportunity to opportunity as I look for ways to pursue social justice, and I think that theme will continue for me.

Q: Why did you decide to switch careers from nursing to business, and how will the MBA program at Northeastern help you achieve your goal? A: While I was working as a registered nurse, I decided to venture into a different field in healthcare. Though I was unsure of what field to pursue, I believed that a Bachelor's in Biochemistry would increase my options. During the process of earning my degree, I learned a lot about biotechnology, and I became interested in the business aspect of biotech companies. I chose to get an MBA to gain the business knowledge and skills that would help me navigate this new career path I was interested in. Through research, I concluded that the business analytics and marketing concentrations would help me achieve my goal. With data and technology being so prevalent in business today, I knew the ability to manipulate data to make informed business decisions would help me build a competitive professional portfolio. In addition, marketing was the perfect avenue for me to learn critical skills like conducting and analyzing market research and making data-driven decisions using those insights. These skills would be important to succeed in biotechnology. Northeastern's reputation precedes it. I had friends who attended various programs at the university and informed me about their wonderful experiences. I also learned about the experience-driven learning opportunities Northeastern provided its MBA students through the program's corporate residency offering. I knew it would be a great way to gain tangible experience and strengthen my skillset, which will help make my career change more achievable. Q: In what ways has your corporate residency experience helped get your closer to your new career goals? A: For my corporate residency, I worked on the Customer and Market Insights team at Biogen, a global biotech company, for a year. It was an excellent introduction to the business side of biotech companies. My projects revolved around the development of a new Alzheimer's medication. I worked on market research and competitive intelligence tasks to understand and analyze the marketplace in order to successfully launch our product. I was very excited to see the product on the market as the first FDA-approved modifying treatment for Alzheimer's. Once I complete the MBA program, I plan to continue my career in biotech, probably in a marketing role. I gained a lot of invaluable skills and networks during my time at Biogen. The experience will be a great addition to my professional portfolio, and I believe it is a great start to my business career. Q: Do you have any advice for prospective students? A: If you're going into a new industry like I am, don't be afraid of being uncomfortable because that's a part of the process. There were times when I had a lot of questions and doubts, but my professors and peers provided me with the support and strength I needed to grow and succeed in this program. I've been able to develop the capabilities needed to accomplish my goals.