Align Academic and Student Resources
Align students have access to helpful academic resources, a dedicated advising team, and — most important — a diverse community of peers.
Your guide to getting started
Review the important information you need as a new Align student, including how to create an account, register for classes, get health insurance, and more.
Your cohort
You’ll attend classes with the same cohort, and we encourage you to study together and support each other. By leaning on your cohort during your bridge year, you’ll build valuable relationships as you learn computer science, make vital connections as you enter the larger master’s population, and build a network of peers as you bring computer science, cybersecurity, or data science skills to your job or launch a new career after graduation.
Academic and student resources
We’re here to support you throughout the Align Master’s Program, from bridge courses to master’s work to your co-op or internship — and, if you choose, from starting the program at one campus then completing it at another. Take advantage of:
- Academic advisors who work closely to support and guide you through the entire program.
- Peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities.
- Teaching assistants (TAs) who tutor students during bridge courses. Our low TA-to-student ratio means you’ll get the help you need.
- Lab recitations during the first two semesters, where you’ll program what you learned in lecture with the support of your professor, TAs, and peers.
- CS seminars and workshops, offered as part of the Align curriculum, where you’ll hear from experts across disciplines, learn what it’s like to work in tech, and fine-tune your skills.
- Events and programs designed to bring Align and other graduate students together (depending on your campus).
Preparing for your co-op
More companies are seeking diverse perspectives like yours. Prepare for your co-op — or an enhanced role at your current company — and gain the critical work experience you need to take the next step in your career. Below are a few tips for Align students.
Brainstorm your professional brand
It’s never too early to start differentiating yourself as a professional. Your previous experience, combined with the computer science or data science knowledge gained in Align, creates a strong professional brand that’ll help tell your story when networking and interviewing.
The diversity of thought and “soft skills” you bring as an Align student are directly relevant to the field of tech, and are a huge plus for employers seeking candidates with strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Make sure to speak to your soft skills when connecting with employers and crafting your professional brand.
- Action step 1: Reflect on your previous experiences. How have you demonstrated soft skills? What were the outcomes? Brainstorm specific examples and positive results.
- Action step 2: Track examples on a spreadsheet to reference as you prepare for your co-op/internship search. Map your skills to the requirements of potential jobs.
Check Northeastern’s Employment Engagement and Career Design website for more information.
Create your academic plan
The bridge semesters are a great time to review master’s course offerings, develop an academic plan, and start to build the foundation — along with your bridge courses — of what you’ll showcase to prospective co-op and internship employers.
To inform your academic plan, meet with your academic and/or co-op advisors, conduct informational interviews, and research what different tech positions require.
- Action step 1: Identify courses that offer the technical skills and experience needed for job positions of interest. Add the information to the spreadsheet you started above.
- Action step 2: Meet with your advisors to discuss courses and design your academic plan.
Thea Celestine
Graduate experiential learning and career services network advisor
Meg Bebis
Senior Director of Graduate Student Services