Graduate of CPS: Sushmitha Jayaraj
Master of Professional Studies in Analytics
First-Generation Student
Where are you from or where do you consider home?
I’m originally from India, but Northeastern and the city of Boston gave me a second home and a community I’ll carry with me forever.
Three words to describe your experience at Northeastern:
Ambitious. Inspiring. Transformative.
What motivated you to continue through challenging times in obtaining your degree?
The bigger picture kept me going — knowing that every late night and every challenge was building the future I came here to create. My ‘why’ was always stronger than any obstacle.
What has your journey revealed to you about yourself?
My time at Northeastern showed me that my ambitions have no limits. Coming from India with a dream, I learned that hard work, the right environment, and the right people can turn that dream into reality.
Experiential learning is a core component of a Northeastern education. Describe some of the highlights for you.
The highlight of my experiential learning journey was my co-op, where I applied everything I had learned in the classroom to real-world challenges. Coming from India, I never imagined I would be gaining professional experience at this level so early in my career. It gave me confidence, clarity about my career path, and a network I will carry for life. Northeastern’s approach to education didn’t just teach me — it prepared me.
Where do you imagine yourself five years from now?
Five years from now, I see myself in a leadership role within my industry, applying everything I’ve learned at Northeastern to drive meaningful impact and innovation.
To future students: embrace the uncertainty, lean into the challenges, and trust the process. The growth you’ll experience is unlike anything else. Once a Husky, always a Husky!
Sushmitha Jayaraj
Is there anything else you wanted to say that we didn’t cover?
I just want to say thank you to the faculty, my peers, and everyone at Northeastern CPS who believed in me and pushed me to be better. This journey has shaped me in ways I never expected. To future students: embrace the uncertainty, lean into the challenges, and trust the process. The growth you’ll experience is unlike anything else. Once a Husky, always a Husky!
