Khoury Graduate Recruitment Ambassadors

Andrew’s background

I graduated from Case Western Reserve University with both my bachelor’s and first master’s degrees in materials science and engineering. When I started my undergraduate studies at Case Western Reserve University, I avoided coding because I did not think I was cut out for it. However, when I continued with my master’s in materials science and engineering and had to work with large datasets, I decided to teach myself Python using online resources.

In my industry experience at Intel, I created scripts to sort, process, and visualize manufacturing data that streamlined quality presentations. I became the data guru for people to reach out or direct others to me. All the while I saw these side projects as fun logic puzzles to solve. Through this experience, I realized I still have many fundamentals to learn as a data scientist.

After exposure to the tech world from my Northeastern peers and touring companies in Seattle and San Francisco, I discovered I am interested in machine learning, data management, and analysis. Furthermore, I felt a sense of belonging in this tech environment. After seeing the student outcomes at Northeastern University, I believe Align will provide me with the resources to succeed in developing my passion for data science.

Andrew’s professional goals

My journey has pushed me to discover the type of career I want to pursue, which is working with both customers and business leaders to ensure business success through data-driven decisions. There are always data processes that can be improved based on my experience, and I want to be able to use my knowledge to make data more accessible and manageable. As well, I want to inspire others to dive into their passions. I pivoted my career by going to Northeastern University and it has been one of the best decisions of my life.

Zadie’s background

I grew up in the Bay Area, California, in a low-income, strictly screen-free family. Unschooled until age 16, when I joined community college, I always had a strong curiosity for technology but grappled with choosing a field of study that would provide a foundation to give back to my community and gain my family’s support. Ultimately, I chose to study public health, transferred to Mills College in Oakland, and completed my BA in public health with distinctions in 2022.

However, behind the scenes, I had a secret. During my junior year, I took an intro to computer science class and fell in love with coding in Java. Determined to explore computer science further, I embarked on a journey to bridge my background in health with the field of technology.

After interning at a health-focused platform serving minority communities, I discovered the impact that interface design has on the accessibility and usefulness of digital health resources. Seeing the barriers that underresourced communities face in accessing these resources made me determined to learn how software implementation could improve accessibility.

I found the MSCS Align program during my senior year and knew it was the perfect opportunity. Joining in the spring of 2023, I was surprised and delighted when Northeastern merged with my alma mater, allowing me to study on the Oakland campus again. Now, as a GEM scholar concentrating on Artificial Intelligence, I’m completing research on the applications of AI in healthcare. Offline, I’m an avid martial artist, swimmer, musician, ENFJ, and the eldest sister of eight.

Zadie’s professional goals

As the founder of the Google Developer Group in Oakland, I’m dedicated to fostering inclusivity in the tech industry. I plan to pursue industry research and product management focused on AI/ML upon graduating, and I remain passionate about increasing public knowledge surrounding algorithmic bias. Ensuring that the technological advancements, products, and systems we build are equitable and accessible to all is my goal. Looking forward, I’ll continue to advocate for AI fairness and safety, create ventures to provide open-source health and educational opportunities for underserved communities, and work to increase equity and gender equality in the tech industry.

Ece’s background

I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, and I currently live in Vancouver, British Columbia. I graduated from Boston University in 2020 with a bachelor’s in economics, along with a minor in business administration and management. After graduation, I worked at Reach.Live in San Francisco as a program manager, where I gained hands-on experience in evaluating product features and collaborating closely with engineering teams to align the product roadmap with user needs. I later transitioned to Stripe as a sales representative, developing outbound strategies and partnering with cross-functional teams.

I realized during this time that working closely with technology and helping businesses scale through tech was something I wanted to pursue further. Recognizing the need to further understand software development, I am now pursuing a master’s in computer science at Northeastern University.

Ece’s professional goals

I’m eagerly looking forward to a co-op during my graduate studies to gain practical experience in software engineering. My ultimate goal is to go back to the fintech space, where I can merge my business knowledge with my tech skills. I’m also passionate about diversifying the tech industry and plan to focus on racial equity advocacy to help others succeed in this space, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Tamiyoo’s background

I was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to my Haitian parents. I attended the University of Iowa on a merit scholarship and received a bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing in 2023. Originally, I wanted to pursue a career in law, so I took a gap year to study for the LSAT and moved back with my parents where I worked part-time at my local library. During this gap year I discovered the Google UX Design Certificate and decided to take the class as a way to pass the time and because I’ve always had a fleeting interest in computer science and graphic design.

Taking that course was a real eye-opener for me because not only was I able to combine my love of writing with my interest in design; I also found myself really enjoying every assignment I worked on. It was with this that I decided to search for a career in tech. After some heavy research and meeting with different people from different programs, I decided that Align was the best program that suited my needs and goals for the future.

Tamiyoo’s professional goals

I want to pursue a career related to design, whether web/app development, front-end development, software engineering, or UX design. I want to combine my writing background with the skills I learn from this program so that I can get the best from both backgrounds. Truthfully, I hope to one day start a program of my own that helps other BIPOC women break into tech and to just let them know that the tech industry is vaster than it seems, and it doesn’t have to be limited to coding.

Anastasia’s background

I graduated from the University of California, Irvine, with a BS in biology. During my undergraduate studies, I was a student researcher, contributing to studies on population genetics using Drosophila as a model organism. This experience introduced me to the essential role of computational tools in scientific research. After graduation, I worked in clinical research, where I became interested in analyzing clinical data. Both experiences influenced me to want to learn how to code after which I took two introductory programming courses, intro to Python and Java, at community colleges.

I learned about Khoury College’s Break Into Tech event and decided to attend. I had not realized there were master’s programs like this for those without a computer science degree or technical background. After speaking with program representatives, I felt the Align program was right for me, as I was interested in furthering my knowledge in computer science. As well, learning within a cohort of students like me with different backgrounds, access to career resources, and the possibility of internship/co-op with Khoury College’s partner companies further interested me in the program.

Anastasia’s professional goals

I have confidence that the technical skills and career preparation I gain during the Align program will help me grow and transition into a technical role. Ultimately, I hope to combine my background and technical skills to continue contributing to scientific research.

Brenda’s background

I graduated from the University of Washington, where I completed my BA in Early Childhood and Family Studies and fell in love with teaching children. I began my career as a preschool lead teacher, a role I held for several years.

However, the pandemic became a turning point for me. As education shifted online, I struggled to find effective tools to support children’s learning. This experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of technology in education. I realized that technology had the potential to make learning more accessible and inclusive for all students. This realization sparked a passion in me to learn programming. In pursuit of this goal, I decided to transition into software development. When I discovered the Align program, I knew it was the perfect path to bridge the gap between my passion for education and computer science.

Brenda’s professional goals

Looking ahead, I am eager to continue developing solutions that make a real difference in education and beyond. My goal is to leverage my background in education and my growing expertise in software development to build innovative projects that can serve diverse learners. I’m especially interested in artificial intelligence, which I believe can reshape how we teach and learn. As I continue my studies, I’m excited to explore internships and co-op opportunities that will allow me to apply my skills and contribute to impactful projects.

Promise’s background

I was born and raised in a small town in Delta State, Nigeria, and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Delta State University. After teaching kindergarten in Abuja for a few years, I decided to pursue my long-time interest in tech, despite feeling it was too late to transition from teaching. During my teaching career, I often helped colleagues with tech-related issues, which reignited my passion for computer science, coding, and web development.

In 2022, I began learning to code independently and took a Coursera course, but it wasn’t enough. I joined a boot camp designed specifically for women transitioning into tech, which was a game-changer. The supportive environment helped me build numerous websites and web applications over six months, leading to a role with a UK-based company as a web developer/manager and user experience researcher. However, I still felt the need for a stronger foundation in tech.

That’s when I discovered Northeastern’s Align program, which stood out for its unique approach to helping career changers transition into tech. From the application process to my arrival in the US, Northeastern’s recruitment team provided exceptional support, answering all my questions and guiding me every step of the way.

When I’m not studying or coding, I enjoy sewing, doing my hair, and watching movies.

Promise’s professional goals

My future entails research on ways to personalize education for in-school and out-of-school students in K-12. I am not taking this journey for myself but to be able to share what I learn with others, especially teachers and women in the sub-Sahara regions of Africa. I will have workshops to expose women and youth to tech to improve my nation when it comes to the tech and education sector.

I look forward to learning more coding languages and my co-op.

Rishi’s background

I grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, and completed my high school there. After that, I headed to India for my bachelor of technology in Computer Science and Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology. It was an exciting time for me since my family is from there and I got to experience my culture firsthand, and dive deep into the tech world. After graduating, I joined Visteon as a Software Engineer, where I got some solid product-based industry experience. That job taught me a lot about working with teams, managing projects, and really understanding how software impacts people in the real world.

Fast forward to now — I am pursuing my MS in AI at Northeastern University. I chose AI because I saw its potential to really help people and make technology more accessible. For me, it is about more than just cool algorithms and data; I want to democratize technology and make sure it reaches those who need it the most.

Rishi’s professional goals

I am super passionate about using AI in the EdTech space. I believe that every child, especially those with special needs, deserves the opportunity to flourish, and technology can play a huge role in that. I want to work on tools that make learning more accessible and adaptive, helping kids overcome barriers and reach their full potential.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the possibilities. I want to continue building solutions that have a real impact on people’s lives. At the same time, I am committed to learning and growing as a technologist, especially in areas where I can blend my passion for education with innovative AI.