Deeksha Vempati on Resilience, Networking, and the Value of Co-op

When Deeksha Vempati first considered Northeastern’s co-op program, she knew it would be the key to building her career in the U.S.

She just didn’t expect it to be so challenging.

“I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” she says. “But I didn’t realize how different everything would be—from the résumé style to the networking culture. It was like starting over.”

Arriving in Boston from India with a fresh bachelor’s degree, Deeksha faced a steep learning curve outside the classroom.

“I had to learn how to pitch myself in interviews,” she explains. “Back home, you mostly talk about grades and projects. Here, you need to show initiative, teamwork, communication. I had to practice a lot.”

The job search was a test of resilience.

“I applied to so many roles and didn’t hear back,” she admits. “It was discouraging. But I decided I wouldn’t let rejection stop me. I took every ‘no’ as a chance to improve.”

She credits Northeastern’s career resources and her friends for helping her keep going.

“I went to workshops on LinkedIn, résumé writing, mock interviews,” she says. “That helped so much. I also had friends who reviewed my applications and did practice interviews with me.”

Her breakthrough came with a healthcare company specializing in automation solutions.

“That was my first interview,” she says with a smile. “I prepared for days. I researched the company’s tech stack, its mission, everything. I really wanted them to see I could add value.”

She landed the co-op and started a full-time, eight-month placement.

“The work was real,” she says. “I got to automate deployment pipelines, write scripts, and document processes. My team expected high quality. They treated me like a real engineer, not just a student.”

Deeksha says those months shaped her approach to problem-solving.

“I learned to ask questions when I didn’t know something,” she says. “And to be okay with not knowing everything on day one.”

She finished her co-op with new technical skills, a stronger résumé—and a new sense of confidence.

“It’s such a good feeling to know you can work in a real team in the U.S.,” she says. “I feel much more prepared for my next role.”

For other international students, she offers one key piece of advice.

“Be persistent,” she says. “There will be challenges. But if you use the resources here and keep improving, you’ll get there.”