Engineer from India Found a Home at NJIT, Earning a Master's and Landing a Job in NJ

Anjali Khushalani worked in her native India as a project manager and process manager before arriving at New Jersey Institute of Technology last fall to pursue a master’s in engineering management.

Khushalani took an intensive route, concentrating on industrial engineering and earning her degree from NJIT’s Newark College of Engineering in just two semesters. And although her time on campus was relatively brief, she felt at home thanks to the university’s Office of Global Initiatives, some exceptional professors and clubs like the Association of Indian Students and Spectrum.

Now, as she prepares to assume the role of manager of quality assurance and production floor planning at Trinity, a store fixtures manufacturer in Metuchen, N.J., she shares what she loved about life in University Heights.

Who were your biggest mentors at NJIT?
Professor Halil Cobuloglu, who taught Project Management, and Senior University Lecturer Wayne Fox, who taught Data Mining and Analysis. These classes were not just about the curriculum but also current affairs, technologies coming up, how the market is doing and what we can learn from little things each day. The professors made the really difficult subjects seem so easy. Also, I had no experience with any coding languages before Data Mining and Analysis but that semester I managed to write really difficult Python codes, and when they were executed successfully, that was some real happiness.

What made Project Management your favorite class?
It helped me understand the essence and responsibilities of a project manager and identify the challenges that might be do-or-die situations. Now that I know so much more, I believe I can get back to similar jobs and be tenfold better at it.

What did you love about the Association of Indian Students and Spectrum?
They were there to rescue me when I was on the brink of missing home during the festivities. The way they celebrated all the festivals and the meetups brought back a lot of what I love about my home country, India. Apart from the fun, it was great to meet and connect with so many new people.

Biggest surprise about NJIT?
That it would turn out to be my home away from home in no time. The way I adjusted and dwelled with the blink of an eye still amazes me. It feels like I was always here. Also, the way we celebrated the tiniest and the biggest of the events — regardless of what part of the world they are from or which ethnicity they represent — just took my heart away. I was glad to see the level of inclusivity each individual experiences and the ample bonds of love and care that we carry out of this amazing institute. Not just classmates, but people from the Office of Global Initiatives, professors and staff members are so prompt and ready to be there for you — anytime, anywhere, no matter what.