First-Generation College Graduate

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Where are you from, or where do you consider home?

I’m originally from Mumbai, India but Boston has also become a meaningful part of my journey.

Three words to describe your experience at Northeastern:

Transformative. Inspiring. Rewarding.

What motivated you to continue through challenging times?

My family, my goals, and the opportunity to build a better future kept me motivated. There were challenging moments, especially being away from home and adapting to an entirely new environment, but I always reminded myself why I started. The support from my advisor, Naomi Cottrelle, along with my professors, friends, and the Northeastern community helped me stay focused and keep moving forward.

What has your journey revealed to you about yourself?

My journey at Northeastern taught me that I am more resilient, adaptable, and capable than I realized. Moving to a new country after living in one place for all my life, adjusting to a new academic environment, and balancing personal and professional growth pushed me outside my comfort zone. It helped me gain confidence, become more independent, and believe in my own ability to keep learning and growing.

Experiential learning is a core component of a Northeastern education. Describe some of the highlights for you.

One of the biggest highlights was the opportunity to learn while building. Applying classroom concepts to real-world projects, receiving live feedback from professors and peers, and collaborating on genuine problem-solving. I also appreciated having access to a strong knowledge base and a supportive learning environment, which helped me transition into industry and continue growing in my career.

Where do you imagine yourself five years from now?

I see myself continuing to grow as a technology professional and building a meaningful career in AI and machine learning. I’ve always been a curious person, so I hope to keep learning. Personally, I hope to stay happy and content, while also finding ways to give back and support others in their journeys.

As a first-generation graduate who came to the United States with dreams, ambition, and the hope of building a better life, this chapter will always be one of the most colorful and important parts of my life story.

Sapna Siddheshwar Chavan

Is there anything else you wanted to say that we didn’t cover?

I’m currently working as a Machine Learning Engineer at John Hancock. My journey has not always been easy, but it has been incredibly meaningful. Northeastern gave me more than academic knowledge. It expanded the way I think, helped me understand the world through different people and perspectives, and taught me how to keep learning and growing. I had moments of success, and I had moments where things didn’t go as planned. But every experience helped shape who I am today.

Connect with Sapna on LinkedIn.