Software Engineering Systems Program Facilitates Co-op Success
Sai Ram Sudheendra Sabnavisu, MS’25, software engineering systems, was driven by his desire for global education, broader exposure to the field, and the opportunity to enhance his technical skills to pursue studies at Northeastern.
Before joining Northeastern University, Sai Ram Sudheendra Sabnavisu, MS’25, software engineering systems, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Amrita School of Engineering in India. He began his professional career at Salesforce as a software engineer, where he worked for over two years on software products, assisting clients across the APAC and EMEA regions in implementing Salesforce technologies.
What stood out to Sabnavisu was the master’s program curriculum, the vibrant Boston campus, and courses like Cloud Computing (CSYE 6225), Deployment and Operations of Software Systems (CSYE 7220), and Enterprise Software Design (CSYE 6220)—all of which motivated him to apply for the program.
Several courses at Northeastern have played a key role in shaping Sabnavisu’s academic and professional perspective. Enterprise Software Design, taught by Yusuf Ozbek, teaching professor of multidisciplinary graduate engineering programs, particularly stood out for its emphasis on backend development and its focus on learning over grades. This mindset influenced his approach to coursework, where he prioritized subjects that deepened his understanding rather than simply choosing those with easier grading. Similarly, Network Structures and Cloud Computing, taught by Tejas Parikh, adjunct faculty of multidisciplinary graduate engineering programs, challenged him with rigorous assignments and best practices in software development while focusing on emerging technologies.
Sabnavisu secured a co-op at Physis Investment, a startup focused on ESG and sustainable investing. The support from the co-op faculty and resources such as NUworks were instrumental in helping him land the role. He developed a keen interest in ESG finance and discovered a passion for investing and sustainability. He is especially grateful to his co-op advisor, Ariana Brody, for her pivotal role in his academic and professional growth.
During his co-op, Sabnavisu worked on developing the front end of the company’s website and was also involved in building an AI-powered chatbot. This chatbot provides sustainability-related insights for companies worldwide, answering queries such as the number of women employees, CO₂ emissions, and reported fatalities—helping investors access raw data to meet their sustainable investing goals.
At Northeastern, Sabnavisu is also part of the Aspiring Product Managers Club (APMC), where he contributes to the technical team. He is currently working on Pepperuni, a platform that optimizes resumes based on job descriptions for product management roles. One key challenge was tuning the model to provide relevant keyword suggestions for resume matching. With the help of talented peers and guidance from the professor, they overcame this hurdle. The team is now preparing to release the product to aspiring product managers, with plans to expand its capabilities to software engineering and data analytics roles.
Outside academics, Sabnavisu is pursuing a lifeguard certification at the YMCA. His commitment to swimming began with early morning sessions before class. A kayaking trip on the Charles River, during which a friend fell into the water and was saved thanks to swimming skills and safety gear, inspired Sabnavisu to improve his swimming and safety skills.
Sabnavisu is deeply appreciative of Northeastern’s curriculum and industry-oriented learning model. He believes the combination of challenging coursework and real-world experience through co-op opportunities has made his academic journey incredibly rewarding. He feels confident about securing a job and gaining valuable work experience in the U.S. as a software engineer. Additionally, he enrolled in Northeastern’s Online Certification in Management for fall 2025, offered as a full scholarship with 100% tuition coverage. This program will allow him to explore the business side of the tech industry.