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
• Resumé 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
• Resumé 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

Myungkeun (Frank) Park (CPA; he/him; CS Align)   

Current program and previous work/leadership experience
I am pursuing an MSCS through the Align program, which I began in Fall 2022. During the program, I completed a summer internship at an investment company in Illinois. I also undertook a fall co-op at a pharmaceutical firm in Connecticut. Before joining Northeastern, I worked at IBM for nearly three years. Currently, I am also working as an application processor at our school’s graduate admissions office. 

What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
I am excited about the opportunity to guide and support fellow students as they navigate their career journeys. Having transitioned from consulting to IT, I understand the challenges of exploring diverse career paths, particularly for those looking beyond traditional software engineering roles. Being a peer advisor offers me the chance to share my experiences, insights, and encouragement with students during such important transitions in their lives. 

How can you help your peers?
My goal is to share my journey to demonstrate how this degree can open doors to exciting opportunities in IT and interdisciplinary fields. I aim to provide guidance on how to effectively leverage co-ops, internships, and professional experiences to build a compelling career narrative. As someone who has lived and studied in multiple countries, I can connect with international students and help them highlight their unique backgrounds and experiences during interviews and in the workplace. 

Additional advice about career prep or job-searching
If I can do it, so can you.

Portland

Yasha Chaurasia (CPA; she/her; CS direct entry)

Current program and previous experience
Hey Huskies! I am a final year direct-entry MSCS with a strong foundation in backend development, database optimization, and machine learning. My recent role as a software developer co-op intern at ReMo involved creating scalable APIs, optimizing database queries, and enhancing user experience through dynamic front-end development. Prior to that, I worked as a development engineer at Calsoft, where I contributed to the development of efficient systems, automated workflows, and optimized database operations to enhance overall performance and reliability. Additionally, as a teaching assistant for algorithms, I supported students by guiding them through challenging coursework and fostering a collaborative learning environment. 

What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
What excites me most about being a CPA is the opportunity to empower students to navigate their career journeys with confidence. I am particularly enthusiastic about mentoring students on resume building, technical interview preparation, and networking strategies. Being a part of their success stories and contributing to their growth during such a transformative time in their careers is incredibly rewarding. I also enjoy creating an inclusive space where students feel supported and motivated to achieve their goals. 

How can you help your peers?
I can leverage my industry experience and academic insights to guide students through their job search process. Whether it’s tailoring resumes to specific roles, conducting mock interviews, or providing feedback on LinkedIn profiles, I can share practical advice and actionable strategies to help students stand out in the competitive job market. My hands-on experience with co-op searches, technical interviews, and real-world project implementation enable me to offer relatable and effective guidance. 

Additional advice about career prep or job-searching
The job search can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to approach it with resilience and a growth mindset. Take time to reflect on your strengths and unique experiences, and don’t hesitate to seek feedback to improve. Building connections through networking can open unexpected opportunities, so engage with alumni, attend career events, and stay active on platforms like LinkedIn. Northeastern provides each student with excellent experiential learning opportunities; leverage those to network with local and other employers. Finally, remember that each application and interview is a step toward your goal — keep learning and stay determined! 

Vancouver

Wangfan (Axel) Qian (CPA; he/him; CS Align)

Current program and previous experience
Hello, Huskies! I’m in my final year of the MSCS Align program at the Vancouver campus and couldn’t be more excited to follow your professional journeys. I originally studied business administration at the University of Amsterdam and later transitioned into computer science, where I’ve completed several software engineering internships to sharpen my skills. 

What aspects of being a peer advisor excite you?
I’m looking forward to sharing my own experiences and insights, while also learning from my classmates about everything from refining résumés to combining existing skills with new computer science knowledge and navigating the job market. 

How can you help your peers?
I’ve been in your shoes — transitioning careers as an international student and juggling the highs and lows of the job hunt. My goal is to share what I’ve learned and connect you with valuable resources to make your journey smoother.

Additional advice about career prep or job-searching
Securing internships or full-time positions can feel like an uphill battle, but perseverance and resilience will guide you through. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times — just remember that every “no” gets you one step closer to the “yes” that truly matters.