For any new college grad, securing a job before graduation is a big deal.

For a young woman whose mother stitched clothes late into the night just to get by, it’s nothing short of life-changing.

And to land that job in Silicon Valley, in one of the toughest job markets? That’s extraordinary.

You may remember Kusuma’s story from this NPR article. She joined Shanti Bhavan at just three and a half years old, and for nearly two decades, we’ve believed in her potential and supported her every step of the way.

Last month, she graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont, US, with a degree in computer science. This summer, she’ll start her first job in the San Francisco Bay Area as a software engineer at Atlassian, a global tech company. She’ll be surrounded by a culture of innovation, challenged to grow, and mentored by people who are shaping the future of tech.

As Shanti Bhavan’s Alumni Relations Manager, I guide graduates like Kusuma through college and into their careers. I offer the mentorship and support their families can’t provide, helping them make academic decisions, explore career paths, and take steps that will lift their families out of poverty.

It’s been incredible to watch Kusuma grow and so rewarding to see her step into this new chapter. And I’m so happy to share that she’s not alone!

Many of her classmates are also reaching incredible milestones:

  • Naveen (Class of 2020) just graduated from Duke and is starting his career in investment banking at William Blair in Los Angeles.
  • Sam (Class of 2020) is finishing up at Dartmouth and has accepted a full-time role as a software engineer with Keystone in Boston.
  • Thanuja (Class of 2020) is entering a Post-Baccalaureate program on neuroscience at the University of Minnesota.
  • Patrick (Class of 2021) is starting his first job as a Creative Specialist with Apple India.

It’s been such a joy to share this update with you. Kusuma, Naveen, Sam, Vel, Thanuja, and Patrick have worked incredibly hard to get to this moment. For their families, it’s the realization of an 18-year dream, one that required immense patience and faith without ever knowing exactly how it would turn out.

Thank you for your support in helping Kusuma and her peers come this far!