Boston, a city pulsating with innovation and cultural vibrancy, has become the canvas for a transformative chapter in my life this past semester. Amidst historic streets and modern skyscrapers, I've discovered not just an academic haven but a thriving community that consistently exposes me to new perspectives and opportunities. This past semester I delved into a diverse array of classes, shaping my current academic and personal landscape. In the financial realm, engaging in a financial management class gave me valuable insights into managing monetary resources and making informed decisions. Simultaneously, a quantitative analysis class equipped me with analytical tools, enhancing my ability to interpret data and draw meaningful conclusions. On the psychology side, taking a personality class added a unique dimension, fostering self-discovery and enhancing my understanding of human behavior in various contexts, enriching not only personal relationships but also broadening my perspective on other relationships. By immersing myself in a blend of data science and business classes, my professional trajectory now points towards a career in the biotech industry. The prospect of applying my skills at the intersection of business and technology is thrilling, and I'm particularly excited about contributing to the dynamic landscape of the biopharmaceutical sector. With these aspirations in mind, I embarked on a search for a co-op that encapsulates these facets. Fortunately, I secured the opportunity to co-op this semester at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a groundbreaking biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of RNA interference therapeutics for genetically defined diseases. I'm immensely thankful for the opportunity to attend Northeastern University in Boston, a journey made possible with the support of MVYouth. I plan to seize every opportunity and eagerly anticipate the promising future that lies ahead.
Maria Clara Lacerda - Northeastern University
This past semester has been incredibly fulfilling. While the courses and workload are very rigorous, even more than last year, I am reminded every day that I made the right decision to attend Northeastern University. I am on track to graduate with a combined major in Psychology and Business Administration, with a Marketing Analytics concentration. As time progresses I realize even more strongly how these two subjects go hand in hand. Similar theories are brought up in all of my classes, and I see the association between the two in my day-to-day life. This semester I have been more involved in the community by joining the Data Club and Northeastern Women in Business club. My short time in the Data Club has already strengthened my desire to pursue a career in marketing analytics, something I hope to be working with very soon. I was also able to give back to the Boston community through community service opportunities offered through Kappa Kappa Gamma, the sorority I joined in the fall of last year.
This semester I will finally be able to benefit from the reason why I chose to attend Northeastern in the first place, which is their co-op program. This program provides students with the opportunity to work for companies around the globe while gaining experience in their field of choice. By the end of this semester, I will have a job set in place for next fall where I will be able to explore and solidify a career in the future. I’m not sure what co-op I will get but I am super excited for the process to begin. The generosity MVYouth has shown me and my fellow scholarship recipients continues to be a source of inspiration while pursuing this amazing opportunity. I am very grateful for my journey so far and I am very excited about what is to come!
Maria Clara Lacerda - Northeastern University
The past few months that I’ve spent at Northeastern University have surpassed many of my expectations and have fostered plenty of my personal growth. I can easily say that the months I have spent in Boston have been some of the best moments I’ve ever had. At first, the adjustment to the bustling city life and the heavy workload was difficult, but within a few short weeks, I began to feel more comfortable in this new setting. Although COVID-19 was still a pressing issue this past semester, Northeastern tried its best to not make it the focus of our time on campus. The school made sure to promote a sense of community throughout the student body with many fun activities and events almost every day, while also prioritizing the health of their students. Additionally, Northeastern's curriculum had me taking classes that challenged me but that also piqued my curiosity. All six classes I took during these past four months were taught by fantastic and dedicated professors. By attending their office hours I was able to dive deeper into topics like Psychology and Macroeconomics, while also building a relationship with professors at the same time. My professors weren’t the only ones who inspired me, but my classmates did as well. As I stepped foot on campus, I knew I made the right choice to attend Northeastern because I was met immediately with academically-minded students who would motivate me to push myself further to new lengths and strive to be the best version of myself. I am incredibly grateful for the kindness and support that MVYouth has shown me this past year. Thanks to your kindness, I have found a new home here at Northeastern University. As a combined Psychology and Business major, I am very excited to continue exploring these two topics which I find work together hand in hand, and I cannot wait for what’s in store in the future.