40 for 40: Profiles of individuals integral to Khoury’s success
40 for 40: Profiles of individuals integral to Khoury’s success
40 for 40: Profiles of individuals integral to Khoury’s success
Alumni’s secret to success: seize opportunities as they come
Mani Sundaram’s, MS ’99, attendance at Northeastern was somewhat happenstance. After getting an undergraduate degree in India, he was set on coming to the U.S. for graduate work. His father made something clear to his ambitious son: he only had enough money to support a one-way ticket. Due to cost of college applications, Sundaram applied to just four colleges. He got into Northeastern with a scholarship, though he thought he was applying to Northwestern, he admits now.
In the end, Sundaram could not be happier that he attended Northeastern. He credits the University as a key factor to his professional achievements to date. “What I learned at Northeastern gave me the foundation for what I do right now,” Sundaram said. “Without clearly understanding the foundations of computer science, it’s hard to be a security practitioner.”
After completing his MS degree, Sundaram was hired during an on-campus interview for Stratus Technologies. He later moved to Virtify. The bulk of his career, however, has been spent at Akamai, a web and internet security company. He is currently executive vice president and general manager of the Security and Technology Group, overseeing strategy and product direction for Akamai’s security solutions, as well as the business and platform security units’ core functions of engineering, product development, and product management.
Sundaram finds the security field very engaging because it is always changing and presenting new opportunities. “The opportunities are boundless,” he said, noting that he’s approached each opportunity he’s been given with “the explicit goal of learning as much as possible.”
“What I learned at Northeastern gave me the foundation for what I do right now. Without clearly understanding the foundations of computer science, it’s hard to be a security practitioner.” — Mani Sundaram
Since graduating from Northeastern, Sundaram has remained connected to the University as an alumni and donor. He and his wife Meena currently sponsor six students in the “A2M for Tech” program in Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies. The program provides financial assistance to community college students continuing their studies at Northeastern. “It’s a joy to sponsor these students,” they said.
In addition, numerous Northeastern students have pursued co-op opportunities at Akamai during Sundaram’s tenure. “The one thing I have always admired about Northeastern students is they are very pragmatic,” Sudaram said. “They come in talking about how to get things done, something they are able to do on day one.”
Sundaram’s connection to Northeastern is likely to grow stronger in the coming years, as his daughter was just accepted. While no final decision has been made, Northeastern is one of her top choices, Sundaram said with a smile: “I’m 90 percent sure she will come.”
Read More
Alumni’s secret to success: seize opportunities as they come
Mani Sundaram’s, MS ’99, attendance at Northeastern was somewhat happenstance. After getting an undergraduate degree in India, he was set on coming to the U.S. for graduate work. His father made something clear to his ambitious son: he only had enough money to support a one-way ticket. Due to cost of college applications, Sundaram applied to just four colleges. He got into Northeastern with a scholarship, though he thought he was applying to Northwestern, he admits now.
In the end, Sundaram could not be happier that he attended Northeastern. He credits the University as a key factor to his professional achievements to date. “What I learned at Northeastern gave me the foundation for what I do right now,” Sundaram said. “Without clearly understanding the foundations of computer science, it’s hard to be a security practitioner.”
After completing his MS degree, Sundaram was hired during an on-campus interview for Stratus Technologies. He later moved to Virtify. The bulk of his career, however, has been spent at Akamai, a web and internet security company. He is currently executive vice president and general manager of the Security and Technology Group, overseeing strategy and product direction for Akamai’s security solutions, as well as the business and platform security units’ core functions of engineering, product development, and product management.
Sundaram finds the security field very engaging because it is always changing and presenting new opportunities. “The opportunities are boundless,” he said, noting that he’s approached each opportunity he’s been given with “the explicit goal of learning as much as possible.”
“What I learned at Northeastern gave me the foundation for what I do right now. Without clearly understanding the foundations of computer science, it’s hard to be a security practitioner.” — Mani Sundaram
Since graduating from Northeastern, Sundaram has remained connected to the University as an alumni and donor. He and his wife Meena currently sponsor six students in the “A2M for Tech” program in Northeastern’s College of Professional Studies. The program provides financial assistance to community college students continuing their studies at Northeastern. “It’s a joy to sponsor these students,” they said.
In addition, numerous Northeastern students have pursued co-op opportunities at Akamai during Sundaram’s tenure. “The one thing I have always admired about Northeastern students is they are very pragmatic,” Sudaram said. “They come in talking about how to get things done, something they are able to do on day one.”
Sundaram’s connection to Northeastern is likely to grow stronger in the coming years, as his daughter was just accepted. While no final decision has been made, Northeastern is one of her top choices, Sundaram said with a smile: “I’m 90 percent sure she will come.”
Read More
© 2024 Northeastern University
Khoury Social
Contact Khoury
440 Huntington Avenue, 202 West Village H
Boston, MA 02115
617.373.2462
TTY: 617.373.3768
Khoury Social
Contact Khoury
440 Huntington Avenue, 202 West Village H
Boston, MA 02115
617.373.2462
TTY: 617.373.3768
x
x
About
Programs
Experiential Learning
Research
Life at Khoury
Information for...
x
About
Programs
Experiential Learning
Research
Life at Khoury
Information for...
© 2024 Northeastern University
Khoury Social
Contact Khoury
440 Huntington Avenue, 202 West Village H
Boston, MA 02115
617.373.2462
TTY: 617.373.3768
Khoury Social
Contact Khoury
440 Huntington Avenue, 202 West Village H
Boston, MA 02115
617.373.2462
TTY: 617.373.3768
x
x
About
Programs
Experiential Learning
Research
Life at Khoury
Information for...
x
About
Programs
Experiential Learning
Research
Life at Khoury
Information for...