Since graduating from RIT, my journey has been filled with growth, challenges, and exciting opportunities. Below, I’ll share how my time at RIT shaped my career, the lessons I’ve learned, and the milestones that have defined my path. Let’s dive into the details!
My Current Role and Projects
Currently, I work as a Database Analyst at Desert Financial Credit Union based in Phoenix, AZ, where I manage and optimize data-driven strategies for the marketing team. My role involves maintaining and enhancing data systems that support audience segmentation, campaign targeting, and strategic decision-making. I work closely with various stakeholders to ensure data accuracy and usability, enabling more effective marketing insights.
How RIT Shaped My Career and Life Goals
My time at RIT was truly life-changing—not just in terms of academics, but also in the relationships and community I built. The courses were challenging and enriching, equipping me with the technical expertise I needed in data analytics, business intelligence, and machine learning. More importantly, the professors were incredibly supportive, always encouraging me to push boundaries and think critically. Beyond academics, what truly made RIT special was the community I built for myself. Finding a group of people who shared my ambitions, supported my growth, and celebrated my wins made all the difference. This sense of belonging helped me navigate challenges, explore new opportunities, and ultimately achieve everything I set out to do. RIT truly became my home away from home.
The Biggest Lesson I’ve Learned Since Graduating
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since graduating is that growth isn’t always linear, and that’s okay. The transition from being a student to navigating the professional world comes with its own set of challenges—whether it's adapting to new roles, refining career goals, or figuring out the next steps. I’ve realized that it’s important to stay adaptable, open to opportunities, and trust the process even when things don’t go exactly as planned.
I’ve also learned the value of advocating for myself—whether in the workplace or in my personal aspirations. Seeking mentorship, asking the right questions, and continuously learning beyond the job description have helped me not just grow in my role but also prepare for future opportunities.
A Recent Achievement I’m Proud Of
One recent achievement I’m really proud of is wrapping up my capstone project, where I built a customer churn prediction model to help businesses spot at-risk customers before they leave. I worked with large datasets, built predictive models, and even deployed a live API to make real-time predictions. It was such a cool learning experience because it pushed me to apply both data analytics and machine learning in a real-world setting. Seeing it all come together and actually being able to make data-driven recommendations was super rewarding.
Staying Connected to the RIT Community
Even after graduating, I still feel deeply connected to the RIT community. I keep in touch with professors and classmates who played a huge role in my journey, whether it’s through LinkedIn, catching up on their latest projects, or just reminiscing about our time at RIT. I also love following what’s happening on campus through social media accounts- especially in data analytics, tech, and entrepreneurship—because RIT is always evolving, and it’s exciting to see the innovations coming out of the community.
Looking ahead, I’d love to give back by mentoring current students, whether it’s sharing my experience with data analytics, career advice, or just being a resource for current students navigating their own journeys. RIT gave me so much—an amazing education, a strong network, and a place that truly felt like home—so staying connected in any way I can is really important to me.
Advice for Current Grad Students
I would actually like to give two instead of just one- Take ownership of your journey. Grad school can feel overwhelming at times, but the best thing you can do is be proactive—whether it’s seeking out research opportunities, building relationships with professors, or diving into projects that challenge you. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll learn and grow. Also, don’t underestimate the power of community. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you—it makes all the difference. Some of my best experiences at RIT came from the friendships and collaborations I built along the way.
What’s Next in My Career
Right now, I’m exploring new opportunities that align with my passion for data-driven decision-making and strategic analytics. I’m looking to take the next step in my career—ideally moving back to New York, where I can work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that challenges me and helps me grow.
Reflections on My Journey Since RIT
Since graduating from RIT, my journey has been filled with growth, challenges, and exciting opportunities. Transitioning from grad school to the professional world has taught me the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and trusting the process. I've taken on bigger responsibilities, worked on impactful projects, and honed my skills in data analytics and strategic decision-making—all of which have shaped my career in meaningful ways.
My time at RIT was truly transformative, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The experiences, friendships, and lessons I gained there continue to inspire me every day, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive and innovative community.
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GraduateAbout the author
Khushi is an RIT graduate with a Master’s in Information Technology and Analytics, driven by a passion for data, strategy, and problem-solving. She thrives on transforming complex information into meaningful insights and is always eager to learn, adapt, and innovate. Beyond analytics, she finds joy in storytelling—whether through data, writing, or shared experiences. In her free time, you’ll likely find her in a Barre class, cooking, exploring new places, or deep in conversation about life, careers, and the next big adventure.