Student Spotlight: Bhavya Baxi — M.S. in Project Management

Each month the College of Professional Studies celebrates the unique and exemplary path of a selected student. This month’s selection is Bhavya Baxi, who is pursuing an M.S. in Project Management.

This interview was shared with the entire student body at our Boston, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Charlotte, and Toronto campuses and we’d like to share it with the broader Seattle community.

We’d also like to mention that Bhavy is a Project Manager seeking full time opportunities in Business Analyst roles and has a great passion for strategy & technology. You can find Bhavya on LinkedIn now!

What was your background before coming to the College?
I was born in India and completed a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Instrumentation in 2014. I’ve always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit so right after I graduated, I got involved in an Indian start-up venture dedicated to bridging the gaps preventing students from acquiring skills their teachers were attempting to teach them.

When and why did you decide to relocate to the U.S.?
I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to study abroad and, after completing an undergraduate degree in engineering, graduate studies in project management seemed like a logical next step. I researched programs all over the world but ending up choosing the Project Management program at Northeastern because its focus on the management aspects of the field aligned with my career goals.

What motivated you to study on the Seattle campus?
No disrespect to Boston but it’s quite expensive and also has a much colder climate than what I was accustomed to! I also liked that Seattle offered a campus that is very much in the process of coming into its own. It’s small enough where everyone seems to know everyone. I find that Seattle is one of the finest cities to live in, from a quality of life perspective. The people are very mellow and friendly.

Which aspects of the program have you found most valuable?
The faculty are tremendous. Because they all bring vast experience working in the field, they are really skilled at teaching us how to come up with technical solutions to real-world problems. The pragmatism of the education I’m getting is preparing me very well for the professional world after graduation.

What kinds of experiential learning opportunities have you taken?
I just finished an internship at a Seattle-based consulting company. I spent three months creating a project plan, project charter, and risk-mitigation plan for the company. I also looked at resource allocation and performed functional and technical data analysis to enhance the company’s website. I got to collaborate with the senior leadership team and learned a lot about business implementation.

What inspired you to become a Campus Ambassador in Seattle?
I wanted to help boost student engagement in cultural and academic events and to enhance brand awareness of Northeastern University in Seattle. Plus, it’s a great way to make both professional and friendship connections. As head of the Student Events & Activities Council (SEAC), I managed 20 international students to put on different networking and social events. We’ve done a Game Night, a sports bar outing, and a Chinese New Year celebration, as well as academic workshops.

How do you plan to apply your degree in the future?
I plan to graduate in Spring 2017 and hope to find a job that will enable me to remain in Seattle. I think it’s an ideal place to apply the problem-solving attitude and communication skills the degree has given me. At some point, I may want to strike out on an entrepreneurial venture but my immediate goal is to work for a company where I can provide project management business solutions.

*The Master of Science in Project Management, accredited in 2009 by the Project Management Institute’s Global Accreditation Center (GAC), is designed to provide you with the theoretical concepts and practical skills you need to lead complex projects successfully—from initial planning, budgeting, and negotiations through project oversight and final evaluation. Complementing the degree curriculum are concentrations that enable you to expand your knowledge within your field of interest. 
Learn more here.