Developing Project Management Expertise at Siemens Healthineers Co-op
A co-op and subsequent part-time position at Siemens Healthineers supporting its ultrasound systems, catheters, and transducers teams helped Purvakshi Thakkar, MS’24, information systems, develop project management and interpersonal skills.
Purvakshi Thakkar, MS’24, information systems, embraced Northeastern’s co-op program to gain firsthand experience in project management and IT integration within the healthcare industry.
Her role as a project management intern at Siemens Healthineers proved to be a transformative chapter in her professional journey, as it gave her an opportunity to highlight her abilities in streamlining operations and delivering results.
At Siemens Healthineers, Thakkar contributed to the ultrasound systems, catheters, and transducers teams by developing automated project management reports and dashboards using Smartsheet, a cloud-based work management platform. This automation reduced manual effort by an 90%, which revolutionized how workflows were completed and enhanced efficiencies. The experience also offered an in-depth understanding of ultrasound machine development and the accompanying software, broadening her perspective on the intersection of IT and healthcare.
After completing her co-op assignment, Thakker continued working at Siemens Healthineers on a part-time basis, an experience that gave her a deeper understanding of project management in a real-world setting.
Thakkar’s co-op enabled both technical and interpersonal skill development. She mastered tools such as Smartsheet and WorkOtter, project portfolio management software, while also learning to manage critical situations and handle high-stakes releases with minimal disruption. These experiences honed her adaptability and problem-solving skills, which are vital to professional success.
The academic foundation Thakkar built at Northeastern also played a pivotal role. She found courses such as Planning and Managing Information Systems Development, which provided overview methodologies, and User Experience Design and Testing, which deepened her understanding of user-centric design principles, were essential to expanding her skill set. Additionally, the Database Management and Design course helped sharpened her data query skills.
Thakkar attributes much of her success to the guidance she received while a student, particularly from her co-op advisor, Jennifer Evans, assistant co-op coordinator – Seattle, Multidisciplinary Graduate Engineering Programs. Evans helped her navigate the co-op landscape and offered career advice that was instrumental in preparing her for the demands of the industry.
Looking ahead, Thakkar aspires to grow as a project and program manager in the IT industry, with a focus on product-based companies. She hopes to make a meaningful impact by contributing to innovative solutions that address real-world challenges.
See Related Story: Northeastern Student Streamlines Processes for Health Care Technology Company During Co-op