Shefali Jariwala
First-Generation Student Spotlight
What led you to pursue higher education?
The person who influenced my dream most was my mother. In her generation, education was often prioritized for boys. She always wanted to attend college, but she was never given that choice. Seeing her unfulfilled dream became one of the biggest motivations in my life.
Today, I am pursuing my master’s in the United States, after completing my bachelor’s in Singapore and spending eight years there. My journey is about carrying my mother’s dream forward.
What did your family and community understand?
Growing up in a traditional Indian environment, I often heard the belief that educating a daughter was an investment that would eventually benefit another household. Some relatives questioned why my parents were investing so much in my education.
What they didn’t understand was that I wanted an education for myself, my independence, and the life I envisioned. Even when others questioned my choices, my mother stood by me and believed I deserved the same opportunities as anyone else.
Was there a moment you felt you didn’t belong?
When I moved to Singapore in 2018, I was young and stepping into an entirely unfamiliar culture. I experienced racism, struggled to connect with classmates, and felt I had to constantly prove I deserved to be there. What got me through was my mother. Whenever I felt like giving up, I thought about the opportunities she fought for me to have.
Belonging doesn’t always begin with other people accepting you. Sometimes, it begins with deciding that you deserve to be there.
What resource made the biggest difference?
Mentorship. In Singapore, a mentor from my own cultural background helped me feel grounded. When I moved to the United States, I sought mentorship again through the Project Management Institute’s mentorship program. That guidance helped me earn my PMP® certification while completing my master’s, and it taught me that mentors don’t give you all the answers. They help you ask the right questions.
I also want to shout-out to my fiancé, Shreyans Thesia, a Northeastern alumnus, also played a big part in this. He helped me navigate my path at Northeastern and in the U.S., and he gave me the strength to face the world.
How has your relationship with your family changed?
I grew up hearing a saying in India: once a bird leaves its nest, it can never return to the same home in quite the same way. My younger brother, whom I left behind in 2018, turned 18 this year. Sometimes he tells me I don’t know what’s happening in his life anymore, and he’s right. Our relationship has become more intentional. I’m learning to be grateful for how far I’ve come while grieving the moments I couldn’t be there to share.
I am learning that building a future sometimes means leaving parts of your past behind, but that does not mean you stop longing for them.
Shefali Jariwala
What would you tell a first-gen student just starting out?
It is okay to fail, and it is okay to take a break. You do not have to be productive every single day or constantly prove you deserve to be where you are. You can take a moment for yourself without giving up on your dreams. You deserve grace just as much as you deserve success.
Write your own first chapter.
Being the first in your family to earn a degree takes courage, and you don’t have to do it alone. Explore flexible CPS programs built around your life, your work, and your goals.
