Real-World Applications of Theoretical Knowledge Lead to Industry Success
Keshab Siddhant, MS’24, engineering management, valued the program’s combination of theoretical curriculum and real-world application through a co-op at Tesla, faculty mentorship, and student organizations.
Keshab Siddhant, MS’24, engineering management, transformed his technical background into project management expertise through Northeastern University’s engineering management master’s program. After graduating with an electronics and instrumentation degree from the Ramaiah Institute of Technology, he gained product management industry experience in India. Wanting to bridge his technical expertise with a theoretical foundation, he chose to pursue a master’s degree at Northeastern. He was inspired by the experiential learning opportunities and the comprehensive curriculum that the program offers.
Faculty mentorship drives academic excellence
Himlona Palikhe, associate teaching professor of mechanical and industrial engineering and co-program director of engineering management, became a mentor for Siddhant after he enrolled in her project management course. Palikhe’s support made the transition from an industry career in India to higher education in Boston, Massachusetts, easier. “Professor Palikhe was very supportive,” Siddhant says. “Any problem I had, I could reach out to her whether it was about academics, interviews, or leadership advice.”
Siddhant gained valuable communication and planning skills from the project management course, which he continues to use in his professional career.
He also valued the challenge to apply the theoretical knowledge gained in class to real-world case studies. Students worked in teams to create detailed project proposals. Siddhant found that collaborating and discussing problems with other students enhanced his learning more than thinking through concepts alone.
Siddhant’s engagement and enthusiasm in Palikhe’s project management course resulted in a position as a teaching assistant for the class. The role deepened his understanding of the subject matter and cultivated an expertise in successful leadership practices. “In order to help someone, I needed to have a good grasp on the technical information and how to effectively communicate it. I gained knowledge that helped me evolve in the field of project management and leadership,” he says.
Student organizations expand professional networks
Siddhant enjoyed collaborating with the members of and the founders of APMC.
Student organizations provided Siddhant with professional networking opportunities and a space to connect with other students from diverse backgrounds. In his first year, he joined the Association of Product Management Consultants (APMC) and the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM). Both clubs offer mentorship from professionals in the field and host speaker series and professional development events. The interdisciplinary collaboration between people with varying industry experiences enhanced Siddhant’s overall knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Siddhant recently returned as a guest speaker for ASEM, sharing his appreciation for the club and his success in the field.
Hands-on learning at Tesla co-op
During his co-op at Tesla, Siddhant visited one of their manufacturing sites.
The technical and interpersonal skills Siddhant gained from coursework and extracurriculars served as a launch pad for his professional success during his co-op at Tesla in San Jose, California. He worked as a project manager, where he specialized in content management, document control, and automation. He integrated Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI to streamline workflow, saving senior management time, resources, and money. “Before Tesla, I didn’t have a background in automation,” Siddhant explains. “With the support of my manager and their encouragement to ask questions, I developed a talent for it.”
Along with technical skills in automation, Siddhant developed a strong work ethic and the capability to effectively communicate in a professional setting. The valuable exposure to the industry also helped him build a professional network from executives to managers who, he says, are helping drive his career today.
Career aspirations
After a successful two years in the engineering management program, Siddhant says he feels prepared for a career as a project engineer.
Siddhant values the engineering management program’s combination of theoretical curriculum and real-world application through co-op, faculty mentorship, and student organizations. These experiences prepared him with project management skills, communication skills, and the professional network he says are essential for a successful career in engineering management.
“It’s not enough to have theoretical knowledge, you need to be able to effectively communicate and apply it to solve problems,” he says. “Northeastern provided me with a technical foundation in engineering management and gave me the space to pursue opportunities to develop the ability to communicate and apply the skills I learned in class.”