Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: I've always enjoyed figuring out how things work and finding ways to make them better. That curiosity naturally drew me to technology, but over time, I became just as interested in the people and decisions behind technology. I found myself asking not only how something could be built, but how data and technology could be used to solve meaningful problems. That interest has shaped my academic journey and ultimately led me to pursue business analytics, where I can explore the connection between technology, data, and business.
Q: Why did you choose the MS in Business Analytics program at D'Amore-McKim?
A: I wanted a program that would challenge me technically while also giving me a strong understanding of how businesses use data to make decisions. That's what drew me to D'Amore-McKim's MS in Business Analytics program. The curriculum is technically rigorous, but the coursework is grounded in real business challenges, which was important to me. I also liked the emphasis on experiential learning. I didn't want to gain only theoretical knowledge. I wanted to apply what I was learning, build industry connections and gain experience that would prepare me for what comes next.
Q: How has experiential learning influenced your journey at D'Amore-McKim?
A: Experiential learning has been one of the most valuable parts of my time at D'Amore-McKim because I've been able to apply what I'm learning in the classroom to different professional settings.
Through the Community Impact Initiative, I collaborated with a growing AI cybersecurity company alongside four D'Amore-McKim students from the Boston and Oakland campuses. We developed customer scoring frameworks and marketing strategies to help the company prioritize thousands of client accounts. It was my first opportunity to use analytics to address a business challenge, and it gave me a better understanding of how organizations use data to make decisions.
That experience helped prepare me for my graduate co-op at Rockland Trust, where I've been building dashboards that centralize physical security reporting across nearly 180 bank locations. My experience in physical security has shown me just how broadly analytics can be applied and has expanded my understanding of the career paths available to me.
Q: How have you taken advantage of opportunities outside the classroom?
A: After my first semester, I reached out to my advisor to learn more about opportunities where I could apply my skills, which led to my research assistantship.
As a research assistant, I'm working on a geopolitical infrastructure research project, where I'm building dashboards, structuring data, and developing solutions to complex research questions. I've also been able to draw on my computer science background to help build the project's technical infrastructure. What made the experience especially rewarding was having the opportunity to take ownership of the work. There was no predefined answer or step-by-step roadmap, so I had to figure out the right approach and communicate my ideas to the professor.
I've also served as co-president of the Graduate Female Leaders Club, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at Northeastern. The club brings together women from different schools, backgrounds, industries, and countries through networking events, alumni panels, and faculty speakers. Getting involved has helped me build a community at Northeastern while also giving me opportunities to grow as a leader.
Q: What are your career goals?
A: I'm interested in roles that combine analytics and strategy, where I can solve meaningful problems and see the impact of my work.
Right now, I'm focused on opportunities in healthcare or banking. Healthcare has always interested me because of its potential to improve people's lives. My co-op introduced me to banking, and I've been fascinated by the complexity of the work, and the role analytics plays in decision-making. Both industries offer opportunities to use data to solve important problems, and that's the kind of work I hope to build my career around.
Q: What advice would you give for future MS in Business Analytics students?
A: I would encourage future students to know where they want to go early in the program and start positioning themselves for that from day one. Go after opportunities even if you don't think you're fully qualified yet. Reach out to professors, explore research opportunities, show up to events, and connect with people whose careers interest you. D'Amore-McKim gives you an enormous amount to work with, so make the most of the people, experiences, and opportunities available to you.
