About Chinonso
Undergraduate Degree: International Business and International Affairs
Previous University: Northeastern University
Q: What made the PlusOne MS in International Management the perfect next step?
A: The PlusOne MS in International Management felt like a natural extension of everything I'd been building toward. I earned a dual degree in international business and international affairs at Northeastern, adding international affairs to my studies to better understand the broader, humanitarian context behind global markets. That combination gave me a strong foundation, but I knew I wanted to build on that foundation in a practical, career-focused way.
I wasn't interested in waiting years to gain real-world experience. I wanted to keep the momentum going and start developing the skills I'd need to make an impact right away. That's exactly what the PlusOne program offered. It allowed me to deepen my understanding of global strategy and leadership while staying on track with my career goals.
What really sealed the deal was the global learning component, especially the chance to travel through the Global Field Study. I didn't have to choose between a strong academic experience and meaningful international exposure. At D'Amore-McKim, I could have both. It was the perfect environment to grow as a leader and prepare for a global career.
Q: What was your Global Field Study like?
A: My Global Field Study was honestly one of the highlights of the program. Over spring break, I traveled to Denmark and Iceland to explore how both countries lead the world in sustainability. Before we left on the trip, our class dove into the region's strengths and challenges, and each of us paired with a local company to study. I got matched with Carbfix, a carbon capture company in Iceland. It was amazing to explore how their unique volcanic landscape supports their sustainability efforts.
While abroad, we visited a variety of companies and got to see sustainable technologies in action. Even small details, like learning how buildings are heated, made the concepts we discussed in class come to life. After returning, we reflected on our experiences through writing and group discussions, which really helped tie everything together. It was a meaningful way to connect what we learned in the classroom with real-world impact.
Q: How did immersive experiential opportunities enhance your learning and skill development?
A: I came into the program with a background in finance, international business, and strategy, but an AI and machine learning course sparked my interest in applying tech to solve business problems. That curiosity led to the Breakthrough Tech fellowship at MIT, where I earned a machine learning certification and built a stock trend prediction model. It was a turning point—I realized I wanted to be in tech consulting, where I could combine analytical thinking with strategic impact.
Through undergrad co-ops, I explored different roles and found myself drawn to work that blends data, problem-solving, and innovation to address complex business challenges. Grad school gave me the chance to go deeper. I took a marketing analytics course and completed an Advanced Research Practicum, where I applied machine learning to customer segmentation. It was a hands-on way to move from being curious about the tech to actually building the skills I'll need in my career. It confirmed that this is the work I want to keep doing—solving complex challenges with smart, data-driven solutions.
Q: What's next for you?
A: I recently accepted a full-time offer to join a tech consulting company in New York called Celonis as an Associate Value Engineer. It's the perfect next step—it brings together everything I've been working toward at Northeastern, from my interest in tech and data to my passion for solving real business problems. I can't wait to get started.
Q: What advice can you share with future students?
A: My biggest piece of advice is: don't be afraid to ask questions early and often. There are so many resources available, and the more you engage, the more you'll get out of the experience. Build relationships with your professors; they're not just great teachers, they can also open doors to amazing opportunities. And try as many new things as you can. Exploring different paths helped me discover what I'm really passionate about and gave me the confidence to pursue it.
