Career Symposium on campus kicks off the year with professional goals

On a bright September morning at Northeastern University in Silicon Valley, the hallways were busy as students, alumni, industry professionals, and the dedicated Career Development and Experiential Learning team gathered for the much-anticipated Career Symposium. This event centered on empowering students with the skills, connections, and resources needed to excel in today’s fast-evolving workforce.

A Warm Welcome: Icebreakers and New Friendships

The symposium opened its doors with something more playful than formal speeches: a collaborative icebreaking board game. Participants, primarily first-year students from the Fall 2025 cohort, were grouped into teams to explore their personal interests, aspirations, strengths, and possibilities. In this engaging activity, laughter and lively discussions broke the ice, allowing students to discover shared ambitions and set the tone for a day rooted in self-reflection and meaningful connections. This approach underscored Northeastern’s philosophy that career readiness begins with understanding oneself, forming supportive peer networks, and embracing the diverse journeys that unite the university community.

Wisdom from Those Who’ve Walked Before

Moving from games to guidance, Natasha Odama, Associate Director of Career Development and Experiential Learning, led a memorable conversation with Trupal Chaudhari, an accomplished alumnus now serving as Senior Technical Program Manager at Lam Research. The discussion went beyond routine advice, delving into the human side of persistence and professional growth.

Trupal reflected on the importance of showing up to networking opportunities, especially for those who might feel hesitant or introverted. He shared practical strategies for initiating small conversations and following up meaningfully after events. His heartfelt answer to what it felt like returning as an alumnus resonated deeply.

“Walking through the same halls where I once dreamed about my future, and now returning as an alumnus, felt surreal,” he shared. “I could almost see my younger self sitting in those classrooms, unsure of what the future held. Coming back reminded me of how far I’ve come, and it filled me with gratitude for the professors and faculties who guided me, the peers who inspired me, and the challenges that shaped me. Sharing my journey with today’s students made me feel like I had come full circle. Every milestone feels bigger when you come back to the place, where your dreams first took root.”

His journey illustrated that success, along with technical achievement, is also built on relationships and resilience.

Trupal Chaudhari speaks during one of many sessions during the symposium

Practical Learning: Workshops That Work

Throughout the day, the Career Development and Experiential Learning team led a series of practical, interactive workshops. Topics included crafting standout elevator pitches, building resumes and cover letters tailored to the Silicon Valley job market, and career mapping with tools to identify individual values and goals. Sessions like these translated abstract career advice into actionable steps, helping participants leave with refined job application skills and personalized plans to guide their professional journeys.

Special emphasis was placed on experiential learning, which encourages students to treat career development as an ongoing, hands-on process. By fostering this mindset, the event aimed to empower attendees to experiment, reflect, and adapt as their aspirations evolve throughout their studies and careers.

Industry Insights: Game Development and the Value of Creativity

A highlight of the afternoon was the Ask Me Anything session with Bradston Henry, Senior Advocate (Education) at Unity. He offered a unique perspective from the world of game development, debunking common myths about the tech industry. Bradston explained that while technical skills are essential, innovation and creativity are what make software developer candidates stand out. He suggested certifications like PMP or CAPM for aspiring project managers but pointed out that nothing impresses hiring managers more than a strong portfolio of real projects.

He introduced students to the Unity Student Plan, granting access to the same professional-grade tools used in industry, and the Elevate program, Unity’s global initiative to nurture talent in the RT3D (real-time 3D) field.

“Instead of just talking about your skills, use them to make a project and show it to the decision-makers,” Bradston advised, inspiring students to take ownership of their learning and careers in the turbulent job market.

A student asks a question of a presenter

The Future of Job Search: AI and Personal Branding

In a forward-thinking session, Saahithi Mallarapu, Career Development & Experiential Learning Student Ambassador, demonstrated how artificial intelligence can enhance the modern job search. Through engaging examples and hands-on tips, Saahithi showed how AI tools can optimize resumes for keywords, improve LinkedIn profiles, and streamline networking outreach. This session gave students concrete tactics to harness technology for more efficient and targeted job searches, reflecting how Northeastern blends tradition with innovation at every step.

Lasting Impressions and Student Voices

As the symposium wrapped up, the atmosphere in the room was one of gratitude and excitement. Networking flourished, ideas were exchanged, and the day’s experiences began to shape new ambitions. Attendee Niharika Pandey, a MS in Project Management student, shared, “Today’s career symposium was such a great experience! It really got me thinking about how to shape my own career path. Loved hearing from the speakers and taking away advice I can actually use, especially the session on AI in Job Search with Saahithi Mallarapu. Looking forward to more such informational and fun events!”

Each element of the symposium, from the opening icebreakers to expert panels and skill-building workshops, reflected the dynamic, student-centered ethos of Northeastern University in Silicon Valley. More than just an event, the Career Symposium reaffirmed the importance of building community, cultivating confidence, and preparing students not just to join the workforce but to lead, innovate, and transform it. Through curiosity, collaboration, and creativity, Huskies are blazing trails.