Faces of CPS: Sujata Gaimar

Three Words to Describe Northeastern:

Growth | Resilience | Diversity

What are some of the challenges you’ve had to face and how have you overcome them?

I am an introvert and had a fear of public speaking. Thankfully, NEU, Toronto had plenty of resources which I leveraged to overcome my challenges like going to workshops and classes like Intercultural Competence in the Classroom and Beyond (ICC) and using the tools from the workshops for establishing cross-cultural connections, Academic Communication and Collaboration (ACC) helped me face my fears in public speaking, Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) workshops helped me develop leadership skills. I started attending networking events and eventually challenging myself to step out of my comfort zone by taking leadership roles like President at D.A.S.H. (Data Analytics Society for Huskies), co-founding Analytics for Good volunteer group support marginalized communities and refugees in Toronto, taking the position of GLS Ambassador where I am responsible for orchestrating Global Villages for cross-cultural exchange. I would also seek mentorship from various staff and faculty members to find ways to overcome personal and academic challenges. These experiences made me more confident and self-assured.

“The curriculum here was a perfect match for my career plans. I was able to complete industry-sponsored projects, addressing real-world problems that further developed my problem-solving abilities. “

What inspired you to join the Northeastern community?

The curriculum here was a perfect match for my career plans. I was able to complete industry-sponsored projects, addressing real-world problems that further developed my problem-solving abilities. I was also able to network with industry professionals and gain valuable career advice from them. As I went along, I found myself not only loving programming but also having a very strong aptitude for AI and Machine Learning. This made me decide to concentrate on AI/ML, continuing to challenge myself and grow my technical skill set. The possibilities at Northeastern were endless; I merely had to decide what I wished for, and there was always means to achieve it. Being passionate about using my abilities for social benefit, I co-founded Analytics for Good with a peer and under the guidance of Deniz Toker, who opened doors to different non-profit organizations that needed technical support, I was able to assist these organizations. Through this experience, I was able to use my education practically while contributing positively to the community. One of the strongest attributes of Northeastern is its committed faculty and staff who actively support students’ ambitions and development. I have witnessed this unrelenting support firsthand, and it has meant the world to my experience. Northeastern has been life-changing during my experience, preparing me with the competencies, confidence, and opportunities to develop academically, professionally, and personally.

What advice do you have for others considering higher education as a student, faculty or staff?

It’s never too late to start learning. For me, pursuing a second master’s degree was a completely different experience than the first one. I found that this degree was not only academically important but it also contributed to my personal growth. For individuals starting their higher education in a new country, like me, I feel this will work in their favor as education is the best way to learn about a country, its culture, its people and to get integrated in the society in the right way. For professionals, I would say technology and the education systems are constantly evolving, and continuous learning helps to keep oneself updated with the current industry trends and new technologies.

What was the most valuable thing you learned while at Northeastern? In what ways to you see your experience here preparing you for future academic or career pursuits?

The power of community, the importance of continuous learning and adaptability are my key takeways, and I see these as the few foundational things that will help me anywhere I go. These learnings will not only help me build relationships but also embrace challenges. Continuous learning will keep me industry-relevant, and all of these learnings will definitely help in my professional pursuits.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I envision myself working in the pharmaceutical industry to drive insights in clinical trials, drug development, and patient outcomes using data analytics, AI, and automation. I want to be in a leadership role at Clinical Data Insights in a company like AstraZeneca and contribute toward impactful healthcare innovations. Outside of my career, I envision myself as a lifelong learner-continuous upskilling to stay ahead in an evolving landscape of healthcare analytics. As a proud Northeastern alum, I hope to be able to mentor and guide upcoming talent. I also envision contributing to non-profits, actively engaging with a startup and staying at the forefront of innovation, learning another language hopefully Japanese, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Connect with Sujata: LinkedIn