Bridging Theory and Practice Through Co-op Experience
Mrunali Pawar, MS’25, information systems, decided to pursue a master’s degree to advance her career and improve upon her existing skills. Her co-op experience helped her apply her classroom knowledge to real-world problems leading to success in her field.
Mrunali Pawar is a graduate student earning an MS in Information Systems. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the College of Engineering Pune (COEP), one of India’s premier engineering institutions. Following her undergraduate studies, Mrunali worked at Mastercard for 3.5 years as a software engineer, where she gained hands-on experience with cloud platforms, CI/CD pipeline development, and cross-functional collaboration with QA and data teams.
Pawar chose to join Northeastern University after recognizing the need to shift her career focus toward understanding the core principles of scalable system design, rather than simply maintaining or patching existing code. What set Northeastern apart for her was its renowned co-op program, which bridges the gap between academic theory and industry practice. Seeing students work on real-world challenges at companies like Amazon and Microsoft reaffirmed that this program delivers more than classroom learning. What ultimately solidified her decision was the opportunity to learn from professors who have designed systems for millions of users, ensuring she would graduate not just with a degree, but also with the skills and experience of being a senior-level engineer.
Courses like “System Design, Program Structure & Algorithms”, as well as those in AI and data science, immediately caught Pawar’s attention. After years of building features in a professional setting, she recognized the need to return to the fundamentals of learning how to architect systems effectively rather than just making them work. At the same time, she saw the growing convergence of traditional software engineering and machine learning as the future of the tech industry and wanted to be equipped for that shift. Northeastern’s curriculum offered the perfect balance: a strong foundation in core principles combined with exposure to cutting-edge technologies providing exactly what she needs to take the next step in her career.
Pawar is especially grateful for Adjunct Professor Daniel Peter’s System Design course, which proved to be a game changer in her academic journey. His teaching helped her shift from thinking like a coder to thinking like a system architect, with a strong emphasis on trade-offs and scalability that fundamentally transformed how she approaches technical problems. She also credits Associate Co-op Coordinator Debbie Hayes and Professor Josie Cucciniello for their lasting impact, Hayes for recognizing her potential early on and helping her secure an internship, and Cucciniello for her steady support during the co-op, guiding Pawar through challenges and helping her maximize the learning experience.
Co-op Experience
Pawar secured her co-op at SlowRida after being recommended by Hayes. Following her outreach and a successful interview process, she landed the role of full-stack development associate intern. The experience highlighted the strength of Northeastern’s faculty network and how actively professors support students in finding opportunities aligned with their career goals.
At SlowRida, Pawar led the development of technical architecture for the company’s iOS mobile app using Flutter and Dart. She integrated Firebase OAuth and Google Cloud services with Cloud Firestore to optimize routing for thousands of low-speed trips, resulting in a 20% reduction in navigation errors. On the front end, she developed a responsive web application using React and TypeScript, ensuring cross-browser compatibility and leveraging React Native for cross-platform functionality. Additionally, she integrated an AI-powered chatbot to enhance customer support, all while working within agile scrum cycles to improve customer satisfaction.
The co-op program was transformative for Pawar not just because it provided hands-on experience, but also because it allowed her to apply classroom concepts in real-world, high-pressure environments. During her co-op, she put system design principles into practice while working with cloud technologies at a scale she had never encountered before. This continuous cycle of learning and immediate application accelerated her growth exponentially.
Projects and Innovations
Pawar completed two major projects that demonstrated her strong technical development and ability to solve complex challenges. One was StockFlow System, a scalable inventory management solution, and the other was Grad Gateways, a web application designed for Northeastern students. Through these experiences, she deepened her understanding of scalable system design, improved code maintainability, and optimized performance under real-world constraints. Both projects enabled her to apply the best architectural practices and design patterns, contributing to more efficient, modular, and reliable systems. These hands-on opportunities not only highlighted her problem-solving skills but also reinforced her growth as a thoughtful and strategic developer.
Extracurricular Activities
Pawar actively engaged in various events, including those hosted by MGEN, Google Developers Code competitions, and Graduate Student Government (GSG) activities. These opportunities allowed her to apply technical skills under pressure and collaborate with diverse teams. Beyond participation, she served as a senator on the Technology Committee at GSG, gaining valuable leadership experience and insight into technology decision-making at the university level.
At GSG, Pawar focused on enhancing graduate student experiences through technology and improved event organization. While working on the GSG website, she recognized how users experience issues with limited student engagement with graduate services. Organizing events for graduate students taught her that successful technological solutions must be paired with effective communication and community building to truly make an impact.
Personal Reflection and Future Goals
Looking ahead, Pawar aspires to become a technical leader who bridges engineering and business strategy. In the short term, she aims to secure a senior engineering role influencing system architecture, and in the long term, she envisions herself in CTO or VP of Engineering positions guiding companies through AI integration and navigating the complexities of distributed systems.
Pawar reflects that Northeastern was instrumental in transforming her from a coder into an architect and leader while her leadership role in GSG sharpened her skills in communicating technical concepts and managing teams. Through her time at Northeastern, she evolved from building features to designing systems and leading people.