About Atharva
Country: India
Graduation year: December 2024
Previous University: Shri Shankaracharya Technical Campus
Undergraduate degree: Computer Science Engineering
Q: Tell us about your background.
A: I discovered my passion for innovation and problem-solving during college, where I channeled it into founding two startups. While I earned my bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering from a state university in India, I launched a technology news website for the university to provide updates and research in the tech field and Artist Cafe to help talented friends market their artwork effectively.
I also completed two internships during my studies. As a brand researcher, I delved into marketing strategies across industries such as food and beverage and telecom, which deepened my interest in data-driven consumer insights. In my role as Event Management Lead at my university's entrepreneurship club, I organized events for aspiring entrepreneurs, focusing on managing logistics and evaluating data.
These experiences not only ignited my passion for AI and data science, but also shaped my goal to harness these technologies to drive innovation and make informed business decisions. That's why I decided to pursue a degree in business analytics.
Q: What were you looking for in a graduate program?
A: My passion lies at the intersection of business and technology, and I chose a business analytics program because of its ideal blend of both fields. I wanted to drive business success while maintaining a strong technical focus. To find the best fit, I researched business analytics programs worldwide.
I chose Northeastern for the opportunity to learn from world-class faculty and benefit from the thoughtfully designed curriculum. The classes are well-balanced, combining technical skills with business acumen, which will help me learn to navigate business challenges and apply technical tools effectively without becoming overly specialized. I was also excited about the graduate co-op program because I could build valuable professional experience in the field.
Q: How has your coursework prepared you for your professional goals?
A: My goal is to become a data scientist, and D'Amore-McKim's flexible MS in Business Analytics program has been crucial in preparing me for this role. The program allowed me to focus on key areas like business analytics, data management, and machine learning.
In the Data Research Lab course, I worked on an individual project that initially aimed to develop a comprehensive standardized test. However, the project shifted to exploring human-AI collaboration, focusing on effectively integrating AI tools into everyday tasks. This experience has given me valuable research skills and practical insights, essential for a future career in data science.
Q: How was it being a data science graduate co-op at Georgia Tech?
A: As a data science graduate co-op at Georgia Tech, I worked with Science for Georgia, a non-profit dedicated to improving communication between scientists and the public. I built a data portal using ArcGIS to create maps that visualize geospatial data. We analyzed various factors affecting Georgia's Augusta region and used this data to develop an awareness portal.
I enjoyed this work immensely and now know I want to continue in this field.
Q: How has the Graduate Career Center supported you?
A: My career advisor and the Graduate Career Center workshops helped me refine my resumé and improve my interview skills. While interviewing for graduate co-op roles, I received continuous support from the Graduate Career Center throughout the entire hiring process. I'm now comfortable presenting myself to stand out in this competitive job market. I'm grateful for the access to such valuable career resources.
The Graduate Career Center organized a hackathon. Participants received a mock scenario tailored to a business analyst role. We revised our résumés to match the scenario and participated in mock interviews. The evaluators then selected the top three candidates based on our performance. This process was highly valuable and enjoyable, allowing us to learn from each other's presentation styles and body language.
Q: Tell us about your AI experience with the DMSB AI Strategic Hub.
A: The AI Strategic Hub allows students to work closely with business professors on practice-focused research projects using data analytics and machine learning. I'm working on an expert bot project with four integrated AI bots, and we're currently developing features like a collaborative discussion panel.
This collaboration has provided invaluable connections and insights, significantly shaping my journey in AI by demonstrating how to use AI tools to streamline research tasks. My goal is to enhance these bots to handle preliminary tasks more efficiently, allowing researchers to focus on the core aspects of their work.
As a research fellow, I'm continuing this work, which is adding valuable data science experience to my résumé. I'm also planning an independent study to develop an AI bot with multimodal capabilities, including video, text, and audio processing. I'm excited to see how this project will evolve and contribute to my career development.
Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: After graduation, my goal is to secure a position as a data scientist. I'm also considering starting my own company, building on my contributions to advancements in AI at D'Amore-McKim. With the development of the Institute for Experiential AI, which positions Northeastern as a leading research hub in the field, I'm excited about the potential to contribute further. Regardless, I'm committed to continuing my AI and data science journey.
