How Worcester State Graduates are Unlocking Early Career Success

Data shows young Lancer alumni are among the most successful in the state’s public college and university systems. The stories of real graduates bring that data to life.

How should post-graduation success be defined? 

One way is to go by the data: A recent report by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education revealed Worcester State graduates have among the highest average earnings of all the Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities five years after graduation. Continuing that trend, the majority of graduates from the class of 2025 are also working in their fields of study and earning higher-than-average in-state pay, per a Career Development Center survey.

On the other hand, success should not be measured only in dollar figures and job titles. As importantly, it must be defined in more human terms—because behind the numbers are real graduates who have translated their Worcester State experience into meaningful careers. 

More than collecting a paycheck, these young alumni are demonstrating how preparation and resilience come together to shape early professional success. They are working across industries, including fintech, law, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, software engineering, and global consulting. Their interests span everything from product development and public interest law to immunology, data-driven medicine, and strategy.

Individually, their paths are distinct. Together, they offer a better definition of graduate success. These are just a few of their stories. 

Daniel Hsu ’25

From speaking on the commencement stage to launching a career in the fast-paced world of fintech, Daniel Hsu ’25 has embraced every opportunity to grow, adapt, and lead.

A business administration major with a concentration in finance and a minor in economics, Hsu’s path to Worcester State was anything but traditional. Originally from the Bay Area, he started his educational journey at Buffalo State before transferring to Massasoit Community College—and eventually to Worcester State, where he was recruited to play soccer. “I’ve always been kind of on the move,” he said, adding the experience helped shape his resilience but also made finding the right fit especially meaningful.

That fit came quickly at Worcester State. “A pivotal moment for me was joining the Accounting Club,” Hsu said. Encouraged by a faculty mentor to join, he became more engaged with the club, ultimately serving as co-vice president. “That club was extremely instrumental in shaping who I am and my professional career,” he added, noting the strong sense of community and shared leadership that defined his experience.

While at Worcester State, Hsu completed internships in audit, public accounting, private equity fund accounting, and commercial real estate—each helping him refine his interests. “That private equity internship was a perfect blend,” he said. “It made me naturally curious about finance and pushed me to shift my focus.” Those experiences ultimately helped him land a summer internship with PwC in New York City, working in their banking and capital markets tax division.

Shortly after, Hsu made another cross-country move to Seattle to begin his full-time role at Carta. As a finance and equity analyst in a rotational program, he works across equity valuations, private equity onboardings, venture capital fund tax, audited financial statements, and internal strategy and operations. “I’m in there to try and fix workflows and roadblocks,” he said. “I’ve also been able to build internal products, and seeing others benefit from something I worked on brings me a lot of enjoyment.”

That exposure has sparked a new goal. “I want to be more involved with products,” he said. “I really enjoy taking ownership and seeing the direct value of what I’ve done.” He’s now exploring a future in product management, where he can blend finance, technology, and problem-solving.

He also credits Worcester State’s Career Development Center and leadership opportunities with helping him grow. “They were extremely supportive in everything I’ve been able to do,” he said. As a peer mentor and participant in the Emerge Leadership Program, he strengthened his communication skills—experiences that culminated in his role as commencement speaker.

“That experience really cemented how I want to show up going forward,” he said. “With the right community, mindset, and effort, you can change your trajectory.”

For Hsu, affordability played a key role as well. “Being able to focus all my energy on my studies and career instead of worrying about debt, that was huge,” he said.

Now building his career at Carta, he remains committed to staying connected and “being an active leader in every community” he joins.

Lily Morgan ’25

From discovering her path just minutes from home to pursuing a law degree in Washington, D.C., Lily Morgan ’25 is on her way to making her mark in the legal field. 

A criminal justice and psychology major with a minor in philosophy, Morgan is now in her first year at George Washington University Law School, where she’s already immersing herself in both coursework and community. 

Her days are filled with classes like constitutional law and criminal law, but she’s also deeply involved with this work outside the classroom—serving as director of student organizations in the Student Bar Association and volunteering with a Street Law program that brings legal education to local middle school students. “I wanted to give back,” she said. “And I was talking to some of them, and they were like, ‘I kind of want to do law now.’ That’s why I do it.”

Morgan’s journey to Worcester State began with a simple but powerful realization: college might actually be possible. “I never thought I was going to be able to go,” she said. As a first-generation student from a lower-income family, affordability was critical. Living just 10 minutes from campus and receiving enough financial aid to cover her costs made all the difference. “Receiving that support, I was like, I can actually go to college now,” she said. “I can actually get an education.”

Once on campus, Morgan took full advantage of every opportunity available. She completed an internship with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, gaining firsthand insight into the legal system. “You can learn in a classroom, but it really gets put into sight when you are out there doing it.” she said. 

Morgan also completed multiple research projects while at Worcester State, including a study on women in criminal justice leadership that involved interviewing female police chiefs across the country.

Morgan’s involvement extended beyond academics. As part of student government, she participated in a leadership trip to Washington, D.C., an experience that ultimately helped shape her future. “That was my first time really experiencing the city,” she said. “I just loved it and knew I wanted to move here.”

Now in law school, Morgan sees a clear connection between her undergraduate experience and her current path. “Law school is all research,” she said. “It’s a different type, but I got that experience and now I can use it.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue a career in public interest law, with a focus on helping others. “I wanted to continue being a helping hand,” she said.

For Morgan, Worcester State provided more than an education—it provided access. “As long as you take every opportunity, you will succeed,” she said.

Abby MacKay ’25

For Abby MacKay ’25, the transition from Worcester State to a burgeoning career in the life sciences was paved with hands-on experience and a strong sense of community. A biology major with minors in chemistry and psychobiology, MacKay credits her professional edge to the undergraduate research she conducted alongside her Worcester State professors.

“We did some immunology and genetics research, and that really helped me stand out during the application process,” she said. By diving into these complex topics during her studies, MacKay developed the technical foundation necessary to excel in the competitive biotech landscape.

Today, she’s putting those skills to work at Charles River Laboratories in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, where she started as a Lab Assistant in the Lab Sciences department and has since been promoted to a Research Analyst role. MacKay’s day-to-day involves supporting the immunology and bioanalytical chemistry departments, ensuring labs are study-ready and assisting with assays. “I’m building a solid foundation for my career here,” she said, noting that she eventually plans to pursue a Master’s degree in biotechnology or biomedical sciences.

Reflecting on her time on campus, MacKay notes that her growth wasn’t limited to the lab. Working at the campus gym for three years helped her step out of her comfort zone and master the communication skills she uses in the workplace today. “It really helped me get comfortable talking and working with people that I maybe hadn’t worked with before,” she recalled.

Beyond the professional preparation, the affordability of Worcester State was a major factor in her success. “I think it’ll definitely be easier for me to pay off my debt and work towards grad school,” MacKay said. “I don’t necessarily have to worry about paying off what I already did and I can just kind of move forward.”

Emma Polak ’24

Emma Polak’s path to becoming a production engineer at one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies wasn’t just shaped by labs and lectures—it was defined by a community that wouldn’t let her give up.

A biology major with an art minor, Polak now works at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she was promoted to Production Engineer just six months after joining the company. Today, she uses a blend of chemistry and creative problem-solving to refine chemical purification processes. While she admits she once struggled with organic chemistry, the support she received at Worcester State made all the difference. “The staff and the support that was there for academics really, really helped me,” Polak shared. “I use it every day now, which if you would have told me that as a student, I never would have believed you.”

Polak’s resume was already distinguished before she crossed the graduation stage. Despite starting college during the 2020 lockdowns, she sought out research opportunities early, working with her professors to create virtual lab materials. She even assisted on a project that resulted in a peer-reviewed research article before her senior year.

Her leadership extended far beyond the lab; Polak served as a Student Trustee, a Presidential Student Ambassador, and a member of the Student Government Association. She credits these roles with giving her the confidence to navigate professional environments early in her career. “It helped develop those leadership skills…talking to adults and getting to know people in positions of power,” she noted. “You’re always going to be probably the youngest person in the room. That can be really daunting, but Worcester State helped prepare me to be well-equipped.”

That preparation has allowed her to stand toe-to-toe with graduates from some of the nation’s most elite institutions. “I was going up against kids from Cornell and WPI,” said Polak. “But I think the skills and the knowledge that I gained from Worcester State put me on an even playing field. Worcester State is definitely a force to be reckoned with, more than people realize.”

Now an active member of the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board, Polak is dedicated to giving back to the community that fostered her growth. “It really is one of those things that you get out what you put in,” she said, “and I definitely put a lot into school, but it was really easy because you just can’t beat the community here.”

Charles Bray ’22

Charles Bray ’22, a clinical research data specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, has big plans for his future in medicine. A biotechnology major with a pre-med concentration during his time at Worcester State, Bray began his career in a research lab before transitioning into the clinical research department after just one year.

“I’m about to be a senior in my position in about a year or so,” Bray said of his current role. As a member of the Phase I team, he manages trials that often represent the last remaining hope for patients. His work involves coordinating data entry efforts and facilitating vital meetings between pharmaceutical sponsors, physicians, and clinical staff.

Bray’s interest in the field was solidified during a clinical research internship at McLean Hospital during his time at Worcester State. He noted that the nature of that research—supporting the clinical treatment process while interfacing with diverse stakeholders—closely mirrors his current work.

“At McLean, it was companies making wearable devices and technologies to help with psychiatric treatment,” Charles explained. “And here at Fox Chase, it’s data used to advance the investigation of clinical trial drugs for cancer patients.”

Looking ahead, Charles is preparing to apply to MD-PhD programs. Originally from Ghana, he maintains a long-term goal of working in global health to improve healthcare infrastructure in his home country and other developing regions.

“There are a lot of ways I can make a difference—whether it’s in clinical research or in advocacy and policy,” said Bray. He hopes to conduct analyses of treatment successes and efficacies to inform how laws are written and how funding is allocated.

Bray attributes much of his professional readiness to the mentorship he found on campus. 

“The small size of Worcester State allowed me to make much stronger connections with the professors,” he said. “I was able to not just go to them for help with my classwork, but also with career preparation. One of my professors even helped me craft my resume and cover letters and prepare for interviews after I graduated, and I don’t think I would have gotten that at any other place.”

Bray also credits Worcester State’s affordability for allowing him to pursue these ambitious dreams without the burden of significant student loan debt.

“From a financial standpoint, it was definitely one of the best decisions for me,” Bray said. “As I look ahead to additional school, I don’t have as much in terms of debt that will hold me back.”

Dana Perry ’16

Dana Perry’s path to becoming a senior software quality test engineer at Dell Technologies began with a simple conversation. Already planning to major in computer science, he attended an open house at Worcester State where a business professor encouraged him to add a minor—advice that would help shape his academic and professional trajectory.

“I remember talking with a professor in the business department who really pushed me to pursue the minor,” he recalled. “That led into a transition that helped set me up for where I am today.”

Perry went on to major in computer science while minoring in business administration, a combination that proved especially valuable when paired with hands-on experience. As a student, he completed an internship that closely aligned with his coursework. “I learned things in my internship that directly related to what we were doing in class and vice versa,” he said.

The payoff came quickly. By January of his senior year, Perry had already secured a full-time job offer—well before graduation. “It made the rest of my time at Worcester State a lot less stressful,” he said.

For Perry, the decision to attend Worcester State also made financial sense. “One of the biggest factors was the value of the education for the cost,” he said. “I could have gone somewhere else and graduated with about $125,000 in debt. Instead, I chose Worcester State and graduated with about a fifth of that and the education was just as excellent.”

He credits the university with providing a strong foundation for long-term success. “The school really gives you the base to go out there and be competitive in the job market,” he said. “The professors were great about pushing us in the right direction, and the material prepared us well.”

Beyond academics, Perry’s experience also had a lasting personal impact. The friendships he formed while living on campus remain central to his life today.

“I’m still close with a lot of people I met at Worcester State,” he said. “I’m getting married this year, and a lot of them will be there.”

Those connections have also given him a unique perspective on the diverse paths his peers have taken. “It’s really cool to see where Worcester State takes people,” he said. “I have friends from the track team who are mortgage brokers or working in the financial district, and others who went on to earn business degrees from Harvard and Dartmouth.”

Today, Perry remains closely connected to the university, serving as president of the Alumni Association’s Advisory Board—an extension of his commitment to giving back to the institution that helped launch his career. His time at Worcester State still continues to shape his life, he added. “It really set me up in a great spot,” he said, “both professionally and personally.”

Monica Bhakhri Figueiredo ’18

Monica Bhakhri Figueiredo has had an impressive professional run since graduating from Worcester State in 2018. She spent four years on Wall Street covering emerging markets at Deutsche Bank before earning her MBA at Dartmouth University’s Tuck School of Business.

Today, Bhakhri works as a management consultant at Boston Consulting Group, one of the world’s leading global strategy consulting firms.

“Businesses, government agencies, and organizations around the world hire us as strategy consultants to help with everything from strategic planning to operations and people strategy,” Monica explained.

“I typically switch cases every few months, which means I’m constantly ramping up on a new topic or industry,” she said. “It keeps the work exciting—you might be in retail one month and social impact or infrastructure the next. There’s never a dull day.”

When Bhakhri reflects on her decision to attend Worcester State, she points to the need to balance affordability with staying close to support her family. “I came from a single-mom household, and as the oldest child, I had not only financial constraints to finance my education, but also a responsibility to take care of my family,” she said.

She also recalls her husband, Daniel Figueiredo ’15, a fellow Worcester State graduate, speaking highly of the business faculty—something she would soon experience firsthand.

“One of the most transformative individuals in my life has been Professor Plavin-Masterman,” she said. “In one of her classes, she mentioned she had her MBA from Tuck. I remember looking it up and thinking, ‘wow, that’s so impressive,’ and instantly being exposed to a world of possibilities.”

That moment would later shape a major decision in her life.

“When I decided I wanted to pursue my MBA, my husband and I were both navigating that process as first-generation students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds,” she said. “We didn’t really know how to approach it, so we went straight to Professor Plavin-Masterman.”

Her guidance proved invaluable. “She went above and beyond—helping us through the application process, reviewing our essays, and just being an incredible resource,” Bhakhri said.

The relationship didn’t end after graduation. “She came to my Tuck graduation, and we still keep in touch—we have dinner with her and her husband, Chris, a few times a year,” she said. “If it weren’t for Professor Masterman and my other mentors at Worcester State, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.”

Now, Bhakhri is paying that support forward, helping others navigate the same path she once did through her involvement in the Adopt-a-Scholar program, which she has been supporting since graduation.

“My time at Worcester State was made possible through the generosity of so many mentors and scholarship donors, who allowed me to imagine the possibilities a career in business could offer,” she said. “Now my husband and I feel fortunate to pay forward that generosity to the next generation of Lancers – to help them to dream big and reach their full potential.”