First-Generation College Graduate

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

I’m from Mumbai, India, and it’s the place I proudly call home. Its diversity, energy, and culture have greatly influenced both my personal and professional journey.

Three words to describe your experience at Northeastern:

Transformative. Experiential. Creative.

What motivated you to continue through challenging times?

There were definitely moments when things felt overwhelming. Being far from home, adapting to a new environment, balancing academics with work, and navigating the uncertainty that many international students face wasn’t always easy. What kept me going was remembering why I started. Pursuing this degree wasn’t just about earning another credential — it was about investing in myself and creating opportunities that I wouldn’t have had if I had stayed within my comfort zone. Whenever things became difficult, I reminded myself of the sacrifices that had been made and the responsibility I felt to make the most of this opportunity. I stayed motivated by focusing on progress rather than perfection. Some days the wins were big, and some days they were simply showing up and taking the next step. Looking back, those small steps are what carried me through.

What has your journey revealed to you about yourself?

Northeastern revealed that growth is often uncomfortable. And that’s exactly the point. Leaving Mumbai meant leaving behind the life I had built, the people who knew me, and the confidence that comes from familiar surroundings. For the first time in a long time, I found myself in situations where I didn’t have all the answers. There were days when I felt lost, homesick, or unsure of what came next. But looking back, those moments taught me the most. They showed me that confidence isn’t about knowing exactly where you’re going, it’s about trusting yourself enough to keep going anyway. My time at Northeastern helped me realize that I am capable of reinventing myself without losing who I am.

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

Two experiences defined my experiential learning journey at Northeastern. My co-op gave me the opportunity to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real-world marketing challenges. Working in a professional environment helped me strengthen my skills in content strategy, social media marketing, and brand storytelling, while gaining valuable insight into how businesses approach communication and audience engagement. My capstone was equally meaningful because it brought together everything I had learned throughout the program. It challenged me to think strategically, collaborate effectively, and create solutions that combined creativity with purpose. I am especially grateful to Professor James Gardner, whose guidance, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback pushed me to think more critically and confidently, and whose mentorship played an important role in helping me bring my ideas to life.

Where do you imagine yourself five years from now?

Five years from now, I hope to be a well-rounded marketing leader who is still learning every day. One of the things I love most about marketing is that it never stands still. There is always a new platform, trend, technology, or consumer behavior to understand. I see myself leading teams, shaping brand stories, and helping organizations build meaningful connections with their audiences. I also hope to create content that helps aspiring marketers navigate their own journeys, sharing insights openly the way my own mentors did for me.

My time at Northeastern CPS has been truly transformative. It shaped me in ways I didn’t expect, made me more confident in my abilities, and taught me how to embrace discomfort as a part of growth.

Yatra Sanjay Rawat

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

If there’s one thing I’d add, it’s that this journey was never something I had originally planned for myself. Pursuing a degree abroad was something I never imagined doing, but it became one of the most defining experiences of my life. Northeastern’s experiential approach to learning made a real difference for me. It wasn’t just about studying concepts, but about applying them, collaborating, and learning through real experiences. Most importantly, this journey has been about the people. I’m deeply grateful to my professors, peers, friends, and mentors who supported me along the way. Each of them played a role in helping me become the person I am today.

Connect with Yatra on LinkedIn.