NIKITA MADHANI

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

I started out with a diploma in nutrition at another institution and realized I wanted to do more and expand beyond nutrition. I chose KPU's Health Science program because of its curriculum and curated electives list. It allowed me to explore beyond the basic sciences - I was able to learn more about policy, pathology, infectious diseases, health business and so much more!

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

I work at VCH as a support analyst. Still strongly embedded in healthcare, I am able to see high level systems in the way resources are allocated. I spend a lot of my time creating reports using python, excel and powerbi. I am collaborating with several teams in creation of these reports.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

I think a lot of what I learned at KPU was outside my lecture notes. I have been lucky to have a cohort that believed in uplifting each other. I was able to bring this in my role. The professors I've had have been so inspiring as well. I have learned to be opened minded and to welcome new challenges, to learn new skills and to not be afraid when things I am learning get hard. That's the mindset I have now in my current role as I learn new skills.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

I would say to be open minded and to not be afraid to learn new skills when they are thrown at you. I think we sometimes box ourselves in a singular profession but there is so much out there that we are just about to get exposed to and to be receptive of it. I think it's okay to not have everything figured out right away. And keep in touch with you professors! I have learned they are your biggest cheerleaders after graduation.