The Limitless Possibilities of Analytics

by Heidi Happonen

Northeastern University recently hosted an exciting and insightful Analytics Employer Panel, where industry leaders and students came together to explore how analytics is transforming careers and industries. The panel featured a diverse group of professionals, many of whom are Northeastern alumni and active participants in the university’s co-op program, sharing their experiences and advice with an audience eager to learn.

The event was expertly moderated by Delaney Fordell, who did an excellent job guiding the discussion and ensuring that the insights from each panelist were shared in a dynamic and engaging way. Delaney’s thoughtful questions kept the conversation flowing and made the panel a valuable experience for all attendees.

Raina Chrobak, Senior Manager of Marketing Analytics and Data Science at Mass General Brigham and a proud Northeastern alum, shared her knowledge of using data-driven strategies in healthcare. She explained how analytics is integral to delivering actionable insights, ultimately improving the patient experience. “Harnessing data to deliver actionable insights isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about transforming the patient experience and driving better outcomes across the healthcare system,” she said. Raina also underscored the critical importance of data privacy in healthcare, where protecting sensitive information is paramount.

From the world of finance, Bill Safarik, Managing Director of Direct Client Platform Management and Analytics at Wellington Management, provided his perspective on how analytics plays a pivotal role in understanding and anticipating client needs. Bill, an expert in sales enablement and client analytics, discussed the power of data visualization in improving client relationships and driving operational efficiency. “Analytics is the key to understanding and anticipating client needs. It helps us stay ahead in a rapidly changing marketplace, and that makes all the difference,” he explained. Bill has worked closely with Northeastern’s co-op program, offering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience applying data analytics to real-world business challenges.

Prasoon Raj, a graduate student in Applied Machine Intelligence at Northeastern, rounded out the panel with his insights on using AI to create impactful solutions. Prasoon is currently working as a GenAI co-op at the Burnes Center for Social Change, where he develops innovative AI-driven tools to address societal challenges. “It’s amazing to see how analytics and AI can come together to tackle challenges in healthcare, education, and beyond. The skills I’ve gained through Northeastern’s co-op program are invaluable,” Prasoon shared. His experience reflected the growing role of AI in analytics and the ways in which this technology is being used to solve real-world problems.

The event also featured a keynote address from Professor Joe Reilly, Program Lead for the MPS in Analytics at Northeastern University. Professor Reilly emphasized the significance of analytics as a key driver of innovation in today’s data-centric world. His keynote speech set the tone for the panel, reminding everyone of the limitless possibilities that analytics offers across industries. He encouraged students to embrace the evolving field and take advantage of the experiential learning opportunities available at Northeastern.

Camille B. Tineo, Project Manager at Anser Advisory, oversees the construction of Northeastern University’s Global Campus in Miami. She shared how analytics has become an essential tool in her work, allowing her team to make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle. “Analytics is essential in ensuring that complex construction projects stay on time and within budget. It helps us make informed decisions every step of the way,” Camille noted. Her experience with Northeastern’s expansion into new locations offered the audience a fresh perspective on how data can be applied in project management and construction.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized the importance of co-op and experiential learning in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. They encouraged students to seize opportunities to gain hands-on experience, which helps build both technical competencies and soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and leadership. The event made it clear that analytics isn’t confined to a single industry; its reach extends into fields as diverse as healthcare, finance, construction, and education.

As Northeastern continues to create opportunities for students to immerse themselves in real-world applications of their studies, this panel reinforced the value of analytics as a driving force for change across industries. The panelists showcased how skills gained in analytics programs are transforming careers and impacting organizations at every level.

The Analytics Employer Panel was a testament to how Northeastern University is preparing its students to succeed in a world where data is shaping the future. As businesses and organizations continue to leverage data to make more informed decisions, the role of analytics professionals will only become more vital.

Stay tuned for more panels and co-op opportunities, where students can continue to learn from industry experts and apply their skills to real-world challenges.

CPS celebrates its second summer of empowering teens 

by Natalie Bowers

As part of the Northeastern University partnership with the City of Boston’s SuccessLink summer jobs program, an initiative funded by the city of Boston to create 7,000 summer jobs for teens as an opportunity to gain work experience in supportive environments, CPS has hosted six interns who have spent the last 6 weeks working with the college. The interns have been under the guidance of employees Mariah Hwedi and Carl Barrows. 

The interns, Marwa, Ruby, Benson, Kiandre, Anari and Jalen, produced this newsletter to tell the story of their internship experience; the production of the newsletter that was written, designed and published by them was also a lesson in corporate communications. 

Last year, when Mariah Hwedi received the outreach from Northeastern, she was eager to host interns at CPS and saw this as an opportunity to bring vibrancy and creativity to the college through the brilliant imaginations of the interns. Before working at CPS, Hwedi had a long history of work with youth and at-risk teenagers teaching history to third grade through high school students at the Commonwealth Museum. As an undergraduate at UMass Boston, Hwedi also worked as a global student ambassador and mentor for freshmen, first generation Asian-American students who were facing income disparities, as well as an overnight counselor for at-risk teenagers at Camp Wing in Duxbury.

It was at Camp Wing that she first realized the impact and life-changing results that could come from giving young people hope. 

“The founder of Camp Wing decided that the best way to help young people in the city was to take them out of their urban environments and bring them to nature, where they could just get the chance to be a kid. Many of these kids experienced trauma from a young age – two siblings separated by foster care would get to see each other once a year at camp, one child came for the whole summer with only a Ziplock bag with socks to wear, and those were the lighter versions of the traumas these kids were enduring. I remember the first group that got off the bus at the start of camp was so angry and did not want to listen to authority because authority never showed up for them when they needed it most. By the end of the summer, those same kids were crying so hard, saying they didn’t want to leave us, that this experience changed their lives. We worked 24 hours a day with them, almost like their parents, and it was worth every minute. It still gives me chills thinking about it…about how much that summer gave them hope”.

After working at Camp Wing, Mariah promised herself she would continue to seek out any opportunity to help with youth betterment. Even though she had just started at CPS in March 2023, she was confident the SucessLink program would benefit all parties involved and knew she could balance the work. 

Now that the program is ending its second year, Mariah has already seen the transformation in her interns: improved writing skills, confidence in public speaking, sharpened interviewing strategies, and data and research driven thinking that would make them all perfect candidates as Northeastern students one day. Mariah hopes that the internship will continue to recur annually.

Learn more about Northeastern Univeristy’s C2C Summer Intern Program.

Learn more about the Boston SuccessLink program.

A Brief Reflection: Sitting in on a Panel of Leaders addressing Future Leaders 

by Heidi Happonen

This week, a panel of leaders from both Northeastern University and leading non-profits across Boston joined together to share challenges and opportunities in leadership to a rising group of young leaders. From how to tackle imposter syndrome, to managing through failure, to the importance of building a strong network of people who believe in you, these current leaders addressed a room of high school students with authenticity and intention.  

Representing diverse schools across the greater Boston area, students engaged with leaders as part of their own leadership program through Mothers for Justice and Equality, an organization built in response to the needs of many single mothers in our communities. Recognizing single mothers living in poverty endure poor mental health through social stresses such as health scares, job losses, homelessness, domestic violence, street and gun violence, and related issues, Mothers for Justice helps individuals of all ages to become empowered and ready for community involvement.   

Panelists included: 

One of the most powerful takeaways from the 1.5-hour conversation was the importance of self-talk. Alda Witherspoon of the Witherspoon Institute distributed a handout of affirmations to the room and after each panelist shared their own struggles with self-doubt and how they’ve integrated affirmations into their ongoing leadership practice, the students followed suit.  

Suddenly, the room was filled with the quiet voice of one student after the other proclaiming: 

“I am beautiful” 
“I am strong”  
“I am enough” 

In addition to the affirmations and the powerful vulnerability of the panelists and students, there were countless impactful statements that resonated in that room. Some of them are included below: 

“When you contribute positively, you will always win.” – Carl Barrows 

“Surround yourself with people who will push you and help you see your potential even when you can’t” – Earlene Avalon 

“Sometimes you have to bring your own energy into the room because the room doesn’t always have the energy to feed you.” – Alda Witherspoon 

“You have knowledge you may not yet value. Walk in confidence.” — Ashley Porter 

“It sometimes only takes one person who can see your potential to help you push through struggles to find your path forward.” – Corliss Thompson