Khoury Graduate Career and Research Peer Advisors
Khoury Career Peer Advisors (CPAs) are students hired to assist other Khoury graduate students across the Northeastern network in their career preparation. These students have extensive experience, having worked in tech prior to beginning their programs and/or having been on one or more co-op or internship work experiences as a part of their program of study. They are passionate about mentoring and assisting their fellow students in career planning and preparation.
Khoury Research Peer Advisors (RPAs) mentor and advise master’s-level computer science students interested in learning more about research and research-related experiences.
How can CPAs and RPAs assist you?
Career Peer Advisors assist fellow students with:
- General career advising and discussions
- Co-op/career preparation
- Networking and LinkedIn building
- Résumé support and advice advice
- Mock behavioral and technical interviewing
In addition to providing one-on-one services, CPAs support the Khoury graduate population by assisting student groups with career preparation events, Align student recruitment, leading Align bridge career preparation series workshops, and data reporting; they also develop a variety of materials to share across the Khoury network.
Research Peer Advisors assist fellow students with:
- General mentoring about research and research-related experiences
- One-on-one research coaching and research opportunity inquiries
- Résumé support and advice
- Research paper reading instruction
CPAs and RPAs have weekly hours available for appointments. You can set up a meeting with any CPA or RPA, regardless of campus location, through Navigate.
If you have questions about the Khoury Graduate Career Peer Advisor program, please contact Thea Celestine.
Boston
Arjun Avadhani
(CPA; he/him; MSCS)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
Hi Huskies! I’m a first-year direct-entry MSCS student with a strong background in software development, microservices architecture, and AWS services. Most recently, I completed a software development engineering co-op at Amazon Robotics, where I designed and implemented an end-to-end CRUD microservice supported by a fully CDK-managed CI/CD pipeline. Before that, I gained valuable experience as a data science intern at KPMG, contributing to the revenue assurance team. Alongside my industry experience, I currently serve as a teaching assistant for CS 3200 “Introduction to Databases,” where I help students navigate challenging concepts, build confidence in their technical skills, and foster a collaborative classroom environment.
What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
What excites me about being a CPA is the opportunity to make a real difference in a student’s career journey. I enjoy mentoring and want to use my experience to help peers navigate resume writing, technical interviews, and networking with confidence. The idea of supporting students at such a pivotal stage in their careers — and watching them grow into their goals — is deeply rewarding. Just as important, I look forward to fostering an inclusive and approachable space where every student feels supported and motivated to succeed.
How can you help your peers?
I’ve navigated the co-op process myself, from résumé tailoring to technical interviews to adjusting in real-world roles, and I can share practical strategies that worked for me. I can offer feedback on resumes and LinkedIn profiles, run mock interviews, and share insights from my own experiences in both industry and academia. My goal is to help peers translate their skills into compelling stories that resonate with employers and give them the confidence to stand out in a competitive job market.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
The search for co-ops and full-time roles can feel daunting, but it’s also one of the most valuable learning experiences you’ll have. Focus on identifying your strengths and translating them into clear, authentic stories that stand out to employers. Treat every résumé revision, application, and interview as practice that moves you forward. Don’t underestimate the power of building relationships — reach out to alumni, connect with recruiters, and take advantage of career events to expand your network. Northeastern’s experiential learning model gives us a unique edge, so lean into those opportunities to gain both experience and connections. Above all, remember that progress is rarely linear — setbacks happen, but with persistence and a growth mindset, each step brings you closer to your goal.
Neeharika Eddula
(CPA; she/her; MS in cybersecurity)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
I am a final-year MS in cybersecurity student on the Boston campus with over two years of experience in incident response, vulnerability management, insider risk, network security, and identity and access management at Dell Technologies before coming to Northeastern. Most recently, I completed a six-month co-op with Cboe in Chicago and New York City, on their Information Security Team. I currently serve as president of Khoury SHEROs Women of Color in Computing club and have previously been a mentor in the Women in Cybersecurity organization.
What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
I’m excited about having meaningful conversations with students, helping them shape their unique backgrounds and experiences into intentional career choices, and witnessing their career growth. I look forward to mentoring students on both similar and different career paths than mine, and am eager to learn as much from them as I hope they learn from me.
How can you help your peers?
I can help students connect their past professional, academic, and personal experiences to navigate their co-op search and support them through resume reviews, mock interviews, and tailoring their LinkedIn profiles so that they best represent their unique skills. I want students to feel like they have someone in their corner who understands and relates to their experiences. I can also help students be more strategic with their job search, helping them realize they have more career options than they think and empowering them to confidently approach the job/co-op search process.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
Although the whole process may feel overwhelming at first, time and hard work have a way of making things fall into place. And remember that you are not alone in your career journey. By understanding your goals, skills, and aspirations and creating a consistent, actionable plan, every student can find the right co-op for them.
Abhishek Kothari
(CPA, he/him; MSDS)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
I secured a co-op right in my first semester and was working as an AI intern at Suffolk Construction, where I focused on building production-ready AI systems, including multi-agent image safety pipelines, Knowledge reuse AI systems, and LLM evaluation frameworks.
On campus, I have served as a teaching assistant and head TA for DS 4200. I am also a member of the Khoury Student Advisor Board, a way to improve graduate student experience at Khoury College. My leadership roles have centered around mentoring, structured guidance, and helping students translate technical skills into strong career outcomes.
What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
What excites me most about being a CPA is the opportunity to help students not just prepare for interviews but also think strategically about their entire career journey. Many students focus heavily on résumés and applications, but fewer conversations happen around how to perform well during co-ops, build strong professional relationships, and position themselves for return offers.
How can you help your peers?
I can help students structure their co-op strategy from the ground up: refining résumés, identifying role alignment, preparing for technical interviews, and building a focused application approach.
Beyond that, I can share practical insights on how to maximize their co-op experience once they land it, how to take ownership, communicate impact, and convert internships into long-term opportunities. I believe in breaking down the process step by step rather than treating career preparation as a one-time conversation.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
Treat career preparation as a long-term process, not a sprint before application deadlines. Consistency matters more than last-minute effort.
Focus on building real skills, documenting measurable impact, and being intentional about the roles you pursue. Rejections are part of the process and often redirect you toward better opportunities. What ultimately differentiates students is not just technical ability, but clarity of direction, resilience, and professionalism.
Purvaja Narayana
(CPA; she/her; MSAI)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
Hello, Huskies! I’m in my final year of the MSAI program at the Boston campus, and I’m excited to connect with you. Currently, I’m working as an AI developer intern at Chewy in Boston, where I focus on optimizing the veterinary journey by implementing AI agents and other smart solutions. Before joining Northeastern, I worked as a software engineer at Mercedes-Benz India for nearly two years.
What aspects of being a CPA excite you?
I’m excited about the opportunity to build meaningful connections with my peers and to be a supportive resource as they navigate academics and campus life. I’m passionate about creating an inclusive environment where every student feels welcome, valued, and supported.
How can you help your peers?
As an international student who has been through the co-op process myself, I know how challenging it can feel at times. I can support you in refining resume and LinkedIn, drafting effective cold emails, and preparing for coffee chats to build stronger professional connections. I also enjoy supporting peers with technical interview preparation, from practicing coding problems to reviewing problem-solving strategies, and showing how AI tools can enhance the process. In the end, my goal is to make sure you’re ready to walk into interviews with confidence and truly shine.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
Applying for jobs is important, but focusing on strengthening your technical skills will help you stand out even more. Don’t worry if opportunities don’t come immediately; the right job will come at the right time. Be patient, keep putting in the work, and trust the process. Remember, you are the main character of your journey, so move forward with confidence.
Nayonika Sen
(RPA; she/her; MSCS)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
I am pursuing my MS in Computer Science on the Boston campus. My recent research includes developing NDIF (National Deep Inference Fabric) for large-scale LLM inference and exploring data visualization aligned with human aesthetics. I have also gained industry experience as a software engineer.
What aspects of being a RPA excite you?
I look forward to mentoring fellow students, inspiring curiosity, and helping them transform classroom knowledge into impactful research.
How can you help your peers?
I can guide students in approaching faculty, scoping research problems, and leveraging open-source tools. My experience with distributed systems, ML deployment, and visualization research allows me to share both technical and practical insights.
Additional advice or encouragement
Start small, stay curious, and do not fear uncertainty. Research is about exploration. Seek mentors, build on your strengths, and remember that persistence is more valuable than perfection.
Arlington
Arth Patel
(CPA; he/him; MSCS)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
I am pursuing an MSCS on the Arlington campus, which I began in fall 2024. Most recently, I worked as an AI intern at The Verse, where I collaborated with the WalkXR AI team to research and design AI/ML-driven features for immersive XR and gaming experiences. This role allowed me to merge technical problem-solving with creativity while contributing to innovative projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence and interactive media. Prior to that, I interned as a software development engineer at Tech Robo Solutions, where I developed algorithms for path planning and obstacle detection, and at the PDEU Innovation and Incubation Center, where I automated internal workflows and provided technical support for workshops.
What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
I am excited about the opportunity to support fellow students in navigating their career and co-op journeys. Having explored both traditional software roles and emerging areas like AI, I understand the importance of building a professional narrative that reflects both technical and personal strengths. Being a peer advisor allows me to share the strategies, experiences, and encouragement that helped me, while learning from the unique journeys of my peers.
How can you help your peers?
My goal is to provide practical, actionable guidance on résumé building, mock interviews, and LinkedIn optimization, while also sharing insights into exploring interdisciplinary career paths. With experience in both research projects and industry internships, I can help students highlight their strengths and connect academic learning with real-world applications.
Additional advice about career prep or job-searching
The co-op and job search can feel overwhelming but remember that progress comes step by step. Each application, networking conversation, or interview is an opportunity to grow and refine your approach. Stay resilient, embrace feedback, and trust the process. Remember you have unique strengths that will set you apart.
Oakland
Yongqi “Ashley” Ou
(CPA; she/her; CS Align)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
Hi everyone! I am in my second year of the MSCS Align program at the Oakland campus, having transitioned into tech after completing my degree in business sdministration. My professional background includes experience in data center operations at Amazon Web Services, as a solutions analyst at Cathay Pacific, and most recently as a software engineering intern at Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies, where I worked on cloud-native services with technologies like Go and Python.
What aspects of being a CPA excite you?
A mentor’s guidance was pivotal in my own career transition, and I’m passionate about paying that support forward. I want to help create a welcoming environment where students can feel comfortable asking questions, sharing experiences, and navigating their career development together.
How can you help your peers?
I can offer support with resume feedback, networking strategies, and preparation for both technical and behavioral interviews. Having navigated a career transition myself, I can share practical advice on building professional connections and making the most of career fairs and tech events. I am also passionate about creating new resources and workshops for our community and look forward to collaborating on events that help students succeed.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
The job search can be challenging, but please remember that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Every conversation and connection are steps forward. Don’t hesitate to reach out and build your support system; it can make all the difference in your journey.
Portland
Akash Dhande
(CPA; he/him; MSDS)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
I’m in the final year of the direct entry MS in Data Science program in Portland. Before grad school, I worked as a computer vision engineer at Adagrad AI in Pune and am currently a computer vision intern at Survue in Portland. I also have prior leadership experience as an engineering lead for a Formula Student team, where I collaborated with a team of 60 to design and build racecars.
What aspects of being a CPA excite you?
I’m most excited about creating a supportive environment for students who are navigating the challenges of co-op and career prep. Sharing my journey and lessons from industry and internships is a way for me to give back, while also helping peers approach opportunities with more confidence.
How can you help your peers?
I can help by sharing practical strategies for preparing for interviews, managing technical projects, and staying organized during high-pressure timelines. I also bring experience from both industry and research settings, which I hope to use to mentor students exploring different career paths.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
Treat the career search as a process: set small, consistent goals instead of trying to do everything at once. Use rejections as opportunities to refine your approach, and remember that persistence usually pays off with the right fit. Staying proactive and seeking feedback can make all the difference. y of starting a job search, I understand how important it is to get real, experience-based guidance from someone who’s been through it recently. Helping someone feel less stuck and more confident about their next step is something I find really rewarding.
How can you help your peers?
I can help by sharing my own experience, what worked, and how I adjusted along the way. I can offer targeted support for résumé reviews, mock interviews, and concrete strategies for both behavioral and technical interview prep. Based on my internship and co-op experience, I aim to help students think more clearly about how to present themselves, navigate uncertainty, and make progress in their job search and career development.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
Career prep and the co-op search can feel especially overwhelming in today’s competitive environment. But what matters most is staying consistent and treating it as a learning process. Every small improvement adds up. Just keep moving forward and the momentum will build.
Seattle
Nandini Bommireddy
(CPA; she/her; MSCS)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
Hi Huskies! I am pursuing my master’s in computer science, which I began in fall 2024. My most recent professional experience was as a software development engineer co-op at Amazon Robotics, where I built a tool to help on-call engineers understand how the scheduling and allocation of physical assets such as robots, pods, and work tasks operate. I also developed a chatbot that answers questions related to robot allocation and failure scenarios using data from Amazon Athena and CloudWatch, helping engineers debug issues more efficiently.
Prior to Amazon Robotics, I worked as a product engineering intern at Athenahealth. I currently serve as a teaching assistant for CS 6620: Foundations of Cloud Computing, where I support students with coursework, concepts, and hands-on cloud technologies.
What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
I am excited to support students in both their academic journeys and co-op search. Having received strong support from my peers during my own journey, I am motivated to give back by sharing my experiences and practical advice. I look forward to creating an inclusive and approachable environment where students feel comfortable seeking guidance and growing together as a community.
How can you help your peers?
I can help students by providing resume and LinkedIn profile reviews, interview preparation, and guidance on networking. I enjoy helping peers translate their skills and experiences into clear, impactful stories that build confidence and support a successful job search.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
The co-op search can feel challenging at times, but each experience helps you grow and refine your approach. Career preparation goes beyond applying to roles. It involves consistently building projects, strengthening fundamentals, and preparing for interviews along the way. Take time to understand your strengths, identify areas for growth, and work on them intentionally. Progress may feel gradual, but steady effort makes a meaningful difference. Focus on continuous learning and consistent effort throughout the process.
Sihe “Martin” Chen
(RPA; he/him; MSCS)

I’m an MSCS student at Khoury Seattle with prior research in computer security and three years of industry experience in autonomous driving before transitioning to computer vision. As an RPA, I’m excited to share insights from both academia and industry to support peers in exploring research and connecting it to real-world applications. Having been in the position of figuring out how to start and navigate research myself, I’m happy to answer questions and help others find opportunities that fit their interests. My advice is that research can be challenging, but persistence pays off. Don’t hesitate to reach out; I’m here to help.
Maizhou Yuan
(CPA; she/her; CS Align)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
Hi Huskies! I’m Maizhou, a master’s student in computer science. I’ve interned at Stripe and Amazon, building backend and distributed systems, and got a front-row seat to what it’s like to ship large-scale, real-world products. Those experiences sharpened my technical skills and taught me how to collaborate across teams.
Outside of work, I’ve been a program assistant for the Dialogue of Civilization program in Sydney, and I served as a student ambassador and NUBuddies mentor. I love building community — supporting students, sharing my journey, and helping others feel connected and confident at Khoury.
What aspects of being a CPA excite you?
What excites me most about being a CPA is getting to support fellow graduate students through the co-op and internship search process. I know firsthand how stressful and overwhelming recruiting can feel, especially when you’re balancing classes, applications, and interviews at the same time. I’m excited to help make the process feel more approachable and less intimidating.
How can you help your peers?
Coming from a non-tech background, I’m fully aware how clueless you can feel when it comes to the search for your first job in tech. I can help with resume and LinkedIn reviews, co-op and internship search strategies, behavioral and technical interview prep, and sharing practical insights from my experiences at the companies where I’ve worked.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
Remember, everyone’s journey looks different. Progress isn’t always visible right away, but every application, conversation, and interview is a step forward. I’m also working on becoming a better owner of my stress, emotions, and mindset. Be patient with yourself, stay consistent, and don’t hesitate to lean on the Khoury community. You’re not in this alone!
Silicon Valley
Yiqing “Robyn” Jiang
(CPA; she/her; CS Align)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
Hi Huskies! I’m currently pursuing my MSCS through the Align program. I originally studied environmental engineering and did some research work but along the way, I discovered my passion for computer science and decided to make the transition. Since starting the program, I’ve interned at TikTok and Bloomberg, where I worked on backend infrastructure and learned a lot about building large-scale systems. I’m also a teaching assistant for CS 5001, where I’ve had the chance to support students from many different backgrounds as they begin their CS journey.
What aspects of being a CPA excite you?
Being new to CS and new to the US as an international student, I know how challenging it can be to navigate a new field and a new environment at the same time. What excites me most about being a CPA is the opportunity to give back to the Khoury community and support students who may be facing similar challenges. I want to share what I’ve learned from my own journey and help other students feel confident and encouraged as they explore their own career paths.
How can you help your peers?
I can help my peers by sharing practical, firsthand guidance from my own career journey, including resume building, tackling online assessments, preparing for interviews, networking both in-person and online, and making the most of internships. Having completed internships at TikTok and Bloomberg, I can offer insights on how to succeed during internships and turn them into long-term opportunities.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
The job search can feel like a long and sometimes uncertain process, but every step — whether it’s a networking conversation, an application, or an interview — is progress. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, seek feedback, and use the resources available to you. Building resilience and staying consistent will pay off, and remember, you don’t have to go through it alone!
Xinrui “Richard” Yi
(CPA; he/him; CS Align)

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
Hey Huskies! I’m a current MSCS Align student with a distinctive background that bridges civil engineering and computer science. My journey includes recent internships at Astreas Performance developing AI-powered health optimization platforms and at Voc.ai building enterprise AI customer service solutions.
What sets me apart is my previous experience as a design and software engineer at China Railway Major Bridge Institute, where I managed large-scale infrastructure projects while developing workflow automation tools. As head teaching assistant for CS 5001, I’ve mentored students through intensive programming foundations, combining technical expertise with teaching skills. My cross-disciplinary background gives me unique insight into career transitions and the challenges of pivoting between technical fields.
What aspects of being a CPA excite you?
What energizes me most is helping students see how their diverse backgrounds — whether in engineering, business, or other fields—can become competitive advantages in tech. I’m particularly enthusiastic about mentoring on technical interview preparation, resume optimization for career changers, and building confidence in students who may feel they don’t fit the traditional CS mold. There’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing my peers achieve their career goals and knowing I played a small part in their success journey.
How can you help your peers?
I can offer comprehensive support across the entire career preparation journey:
Technical skills development: Guide students through hands-on projects and help them build portfolios that demonstrate real-world problem-solving abilities, drawing from my experience with full-stack development, AI/ML, and cloud deployment.
Resume and application strategy: Help students effectively translate diverse experiences into compelling tech narratives, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds. My civil engineering experience taught me how to present complex technical work to different audiences.
Interview preparation: Conduct mock technical interviews and behavioral sessions, sharing strategies I’ve learned from landing roles at both startups and established companies. I can help with system design, coding challenges, and articulating technical projects clearly.
Industry insights: Provide perspective on different tech sectors (AI/ML, enterprise software, cloud infrastructure) and help students understand role expectations and growth trajectories.
Additional advice about career prep or job searching
“Effort is the reward”— every line of code you write, every technical challenge you tackle, and every networking conversation you have is building your expertise and confidence, regardless of the immediate outcome. Your unique background is an asset, not a limitation, and the tech industry values problem-solvers above all else. Start preparing early, build real projects, and trust the process — consistent effort will develop the skills that serve you throughout your career. You’ve got this!