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Dreaming, Belonging, Thriving: Riya Golaniýs Tech Journey
At ý, Go-Getters donýt just learnýthey lead. And Riya Golani (MS in Computer Science ý25) is no exception. As a masterýs student at the Seidenberg School, sheýs turning challenges into milestones, passion into purpose, and a dream of NYC into a career at Amazon.
From a Dream to a Decision
ýNew York City was always a far-fetched dream for meýI never thought it would actually be possible,ý Riya recalls. But a desire for growth and a feeling of stagnation at her former job sparked a realization: she needed to upskill, and NYC became the symbol of that next step. ýI wanted a place where I could grow, learn, and push myself further.ý
During her search for schools with strong computer science programs, Pace stood out. ýI chose Pace without hesitation. It wasnýt just about NYC anymoreýit was about the experience and education that would truly be worth something,ý she says. Seidenbergýs wide range of electives and flexible curriculum sealed the deal.
That flexibility made me feel comfortable, like I belonged. It was the right decision then, and looking back now, I know it was one of the best decisions Iýve ever made.
A Class That Changed Everything
For Riya, one particular Seidenberg course the trajectory of her technical path: Enterprise Computing with Professor Baik Doosan. ýBefore that, I struggled to grasp even the most basic concepts like APIs or Git. But Professor Baik didnýt just teachýhe immersed us in real-world applications, pouring his industry experiences into every lecture.ý
Guided by his mentorship, Riyaýs class tackled an event exploration project, one that challenged and empowered her. ýThis was my first full MERN stack projectýbefore that, I had only worked on backend solutions. That class gave me the confidence to start developing my own MERN stack projects, and it completely changed the direction of my technical journey.ý
Professor Baik didnýt just stay in the classroom. He became a mentor beyond itýsupporting Riya through her job search, interview prep, and career decisions.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
From the Data Science Club and the Google Developer Group to Women in Tech and the Art Club, Riya also dove into the Universityýs extracurricular scene with enthusiasm.
Pace has an incredibly inclusive culture, and that has allowed me to explore so much beyond just academics.
One major milestone? Representing the Pace AI Lab at the Grace Hopper Celebration. ýThat experience gave me a huge confidence boost and taught me the invaluable skill of networking and expressing my work effectively.ý
She also played a big role in organizing community and cultural events, including the Diwali Celebration and various tech talks. ýWhatýs special about Seidenberg is the accessibility of the faculty and administration. Dean Chen is always reachableýI can literally walk up to her, and if she has even a few minutes, sheýll make time to listen.ý
Among all of these extracurricular leadership positions and activities, Riya also had the time to work as a graduate assistant at Seidenberg. ýEven though Iým a Computer Science student, I wasnýt limited to just CS work. I had the chance to work on Seidenbergýs social media, thanks to Pace AI Labýs co-director Katie Todd, who believed in my skills and gave me that opportunity.ý
A Supportive Community Like No Other
When asked to briefly describe her Seidenberg experience, Riya said that there are three things that stand out to her:
Inclusivity ý ýSeidenberg welcomes everyone with open arms.ý
Access to Resources ý ýFrom career services to faculty mentorship, support is everywhere.ý
Immense Support ý ýThe people here genuinely care, and that makes all the difference.ý
From starting as a student assistant at Lubin to now being a graduate assistant at Seidenberg and working in the Pace AI Lab, Riyaýs Pace opportunities have shaped her career. ýSeidenberg is a place that made me feel at home in a new city, in a new phase of life. The professors, administration, and career counselors were always there for me.ý
Whenever I needed guidance, I just had to ask, and I received so much love and support.
And the result of all Riyaýs incredible determination and experiences? ýI got into Amazon as an SDE1 before graduating. That wouldnýt have been possible without Seidenberg. I owe it to this school.ý
Riya Golaniýs story is more than a studentýs journeyýit embodies the spirit of Pace: opportunity, empowerment, transformation, and most importantly, a community that truly cares.
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