Home: Originally from India but Boston is like home now
First-Generation Student

Three words that describe your experience at Northeastern
Unshakeable. Empowering. Transformative

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Why Northeastern?

I chose Northeastern because of its strong Regulatory Affairs program and the co-op model that truly integrates classroom learning with real industry experience. The chance to learn from faculty who are active industry professionals, along with access to structured career guidance and experiential learning, made it the right environment for my goals.

Being in Boston also opened doors to networking through career fairs and professional organizations like RAPS and ISPE, which helped me better understand the regulatory landscape and build meaningful connections.

Why Regulatory Affairs?

To be honest, I chose Regulatory Affairs because it fits how my mind works. I come from a strong science background with a PharmD, and early on through clinical research and medical affairs, I realized I was always the person asking why, how, and what does this mean for the patient?

I enjoyed being close to the science, but I was even more drawn to the responsibility behind it. I have always been drawn to making sure decisions are evidence-based, accurate, and ethical. Regulatory Affairs sits right at that intersection. It allows me to apply my scientific training while thinking critically, asking the right questions, and ensuring that products are truly ready for real-world use.

It wasn’t a sudden decision. It grew naturally from my experiences, my curiosity, and my need to understand the bigger picture. In many ways, this field chose me as much as I chose it.

What was your biggest challenge before coming to Northeastern?

The biggest challenge was the transition itself. I was moving to a new country, trying to understand a completely different healthcare and regulatory system, and at the same time figuring out how my past experience would translate in the U.S. context. Even with years of education and hands-on work, there were moments when it felt like I was starting from scratch, and that was hard.

What helped me get through that phase was a shift in how I looked at it. Instead of seeing the uncertainty as a setback, I treated it like a learning curve. I leaned into my scientific mindset, asked a lot of questions, sought guidance, and allowed myself the space to rebuild step by step. That process helped me regain confidence, reconnect with my strengths, and arrive at Northeastern with clarity, purpose, and the readiness to grow.

What challenges did you face once you arrived at CPS?

One of the hardest challenges was dealing with the amount of uncertainty that comes with starting over—academically, financially, and personally. When I first arrived, I was trying to manage coursework while searching for a co-op, applying for on-campus roles, and figuring out how to support myself in a new country. The pressure of getting everything right, combined with being away from family and friends, made the transition incredibly overwhelming.

What helped me overcome that phase was choosing not to do it alone. I leaned on CPS resources, spoke with advisors, reached out to peers, and slowly built a support system that made Boston feel less intimidating. The experiential opportunities here, from XN projects to co-ops, gave me direction when I felt unsure, and helped me understand that growth doesn’t happen all at once. It’s built step by step.

Through this journey, I learned to manage my stress, trust the process, and believe that clarity comes with action. If there’s one thing I want other CPS students to know, it’s that feeling lost in the beginning is normal. You will find your footing, you will find your people, and with time, you will realize you’re much stronger and more capable than you thought.

If there’s one thing I want other CPS students to know, it’s that feeling lost in the beginning is normal. You will find your footing, you will find your people, and with time, you will realize you’re much stronger and more capable than you thought.

Ashitha Joseph

What has your journey at Northeastern taught you?

My journey at Northeastern hasn’t been linear, and that’s exactly what taught me the most. There were moments of clarity, moments of doubt, and many in between, especially as an international student navigating a new country away from family and familiar support systems.

Each twist in that path pushed me to adapt, rethink, and grow. What also emerged along the way was a genuine interest in leadership. I found myself stepping up, mentoring other students, contributing actively during co-ops, and taking ownership of projects, even when I didn’t feel fully ready. Those moments showed me that growth often happens before confidence.

Most importantly, Northeastern revealed that I don’t need a perfectly mapped-out path to succeed. I learn by doing, adjust when needed, and keep moving forward. That mindset has shaped who I am today and continues to guide how I approach challenges and opportunities ahead.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned?

The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that clarity comes from doing, not overthinking.

Every co-op, project, and class forced me to step into real situations instead of waiting to feel “ready,” and that hands-on approach shaped my entire path. It helped me understand what kind of work energizes me, what environments I thrive in, and where I can make the strongest impact.

Because of that, I now make decisions with more confidence and trust in my abilities. It’s guided me toward Regulatory and Quality roles that align with my strengths, and it’s helped me build a career path that feels intentional, meaningful, and true to who I am.

How Northeastern Prepared Me

My Northeastern experience has prepared me by immersing me in real U.S. industry work long before graduation. Through the co-op program, I worked at Moderna as a Quality & Compliance Co-op, where I supported deviation and CAPA management, inspection readiness activities, and document review. Being part of a fast-paced biotech environment helped me understand how quality decisions are made in real time and how cross-functional teams operate under regulatory pressure.

Beyond my co-op, experiential learning played a huge role in shaping my readiness. At Cornerstone Clinical Research Services, I supported clinical operations by reviewing audit findings, analyzing compliance gaps, and contributing to inspection preparedness efforts. With Apriqot, I worked on public health data projects that strengthened my ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights. At Mass Eye & Ear, I contributed to regulatory and quality work on a Class II medical device, gaining hands-on exposure to EU MDR requirements, labeling, supplier controls, and QMS assessments.

Academically, coursework and assignments like mock eCTD submissions, regulatory documentation exercises, and case-based projects helped bridge theory with practice. These experiences sharpened my technical skills while also improving my communication, problem-solving, and ability to explain complex regulatory concepts clearly.

Just as importantly, programs like GSM, CPS initiatives, and involvement with student leadership helped me grow in confidence, professionalism, and leadership. Together, these experiences made me feel industry-ready, not just technically, but as someone who can contribute, communicate, and lead in real regulatory and quality environments.

Together, these experiences made me feel industry-ready, not just technically, but as someone who can contribute, communicate, and lead in real regulatory and quality environments.

Ashitha Joseph

I’ve also had the opportunity to become a Student Ambassador, where I now get to guide incoming and current students who may be facing the same questions and struggles I once did. Being able to support others through that transition has been one of the most meaningful parts of my Northeastern experience.

Advice for CPS Students

My biggest advice is to lean into the experience, not just the courses. CPS gives you so many opportunities: co-ops, XN projects, mentorship programs, events, and faculty who genuinely want to see you grow. Take advantage of them early. Don’t wait to feel “ready.”

Ask questions, talk to people, and say yes to projects that challenge you. That’s where the real learning happens.

Also, don’t be afraid to start small. Everyone arrives with a different background, and it’s okay if you’re still figuring things out. CPS is a place where you can explore, build confidence, and discover strengths you didn’t know you had.

Don’t be afraid to start small. Everyone arrives with a different background, and it’s okay if you’re still figuring things out. CPS is a place where you can explore, build confidence, and discover strengths you didn’t know you had.

Ashitha Joseph

If you show up with curiosity and a willingness to learn, you’ll get far more out of this program than you ever expected.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Five years from now, I see myself in a senior regulatory or quality role within a biotech or medical device organization. I see myself as someone trusted to lead inspection readiness, guide regulatory strategy, and partner closely with clinical, manufacturing, and engineering teams. I want to be the person teams turn to when decisions matter and timelines are tight.

Beyond the title, I see myself taking ownership of complex programs, mentoring junior professionals, and helping shape systems that make compliance sustainable rather than reactive. I genuinely enjoy guiding others through co-ops, career transitions, and early challenges, and I see that continuing as part of my career.

What motivates you?

What motivates me in both my professional and personal life is the belief that consistency and integrity matter more than recognition. I’m driven by responsibility, growth, and the desire to leave things better than I found them. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Beyond Academics

I enjoy watching movies, cooking, shopping, and traveling to new places. They help me unwind, recharge, and bring balance to my everyday routine.

Learning. Leading. Becoming

I came to Northeastern with a strong scientific background and a clear interest in healthcare, but also with many unknowns. As an international student, I was learning how to navigate a new country, a new academic environment, and a different professional system all at once.

What shaped my experience most was learning through real-world exposure. Through co-ops, experiential learning projects, and mentorship, I gained hands-on experience across regulatory, quality, and clinical research settings in the U.S. Each opportunity helped me connect science with responsibility and understand how behind-the-scenes decisions impact patient safety and product integrity.

Along the way, I found myself growing into leadership in ways I didn’t expect — taking initiative on projects, speaking up with confidence, and eventually becoming a Student Ambassador. Supporting other students who were facing the same uncertainty I once felt became one of the most meaningful parts of my journey.

What makes my story worth telling isn’t just the professional milestones, it’s the personal transformation. I didn’t give up when things felt uncertain. Moving to a new country, navigating uncertainty, and rebuilding confidence in an unfamiliar system reshaped how I see myself and what I’m capable of. Learning to trust my instincts, stay grounded, and adapt under pressure is the biggest accomplishment of my life, even more than any role or title.

Today, I carry a stronger sense of purpose and self-belief. Northeastern didn’t just prepare me for a career, it helped me become someone who is thoughtful, unshakeable, and ready to move forward with intention. And that story is still evolving. It’s about becoming, learning, adjusting, and choosing progress every day. There’s much more ahead.