High School Pathfinder: For the Future You

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Dr. Eyan Yeung, a Machine Learning Engineer whose career path proves that your first passion doesn’t always define your future. Starting in chemistry, economics, and biochemistry research, Eyan thought she’d spend her life in science. But what excited her most wasn’t the lab work — it was analyzing data and building models. That realization eventually pulled her into machine learning, where she now creates systems that connect people on dating apps and detect online scams.

Tune in to hear how Eyan made the leap from science to tech, what a machine learning engineer actually does day-to-day, and the skills high schoolers can start building now to explore this fast-growing field! Don’t forget to share this episode with friends, classmates, or anyone curious about the future of technology!

What if you could help doctors see things no one else can? That’s exactly what radiologists do. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Puneet Pawha, a neuroradiologist at Mount Sinai, to talk about how radiology goes way beyond “just looking at pictures.”

Dr. Pawha shares how he discovered radiology, the surprising parts of his job that most people never think about, how the field is evolving with new technology, and why this field sits right at the intersection of medicine and technology. We’ll also get into how high schoolers can actually start exploring radiology; no med school required!

If you’ve ever wondered how medicine and innovation intersect-or you’re curious about careers in healthcare beyond the ones you usually hear about-this conversation will open your eyes (literally and figuratively!) to a whole new side of medicine! 

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Deepta Venkataraman who has spent nearly 25 years building her career in equities at Morgan Stanley. From leading global teams in delta one swaps and securities lending to spending a year working in London, Deepta has seen the fast-paced world of finance from multiple angles. She shares how she’s stayed motivated over two decades on Wall Street, what leadership really looks like in high-pressure environments, and her advice for high schoolers curious about finance, teamwork, and long-term career growth.

If you’re a student wondering what it takes to succeed in such a competitive field—or just want to hear how someone built a lasting and impactful career—this episode is for you! Tune in to hear her journey, and don’t forget to share this episode with your family and friends!

If you’ve ever felt pressure to “stick with” a major or career choice, this episode will give you a WHOLE new perspective! Astha Mehta came to the U.S. from India planning to study neuroscience, but along the way discovered her interest in cognitive science and machine learning. Since then, she’s worked as a data scientist, machine learning engineer, and now builds AI-powered apps at Bain & Company!

In our conversation, we talk about what it’s really like to change directions, how she adjusted to a new country as an international student, and the surprising differences between data science, machine learning, and AI engineering. Astha’s story is proof that you don’t need to have everything figured out early and that trying new things can lead you EXACTLY where you’re meant to be. 

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, Ayana sits down with Dr. Preya Ananthakrishnan, Director of Breast Surgery at White Plains Hospital. Dr. Ananthakrishnan shares how she went from studying chemical engineering in college to finding her calling in medicine, what drew her to breast cancer surgery, and how she balances science with compassion in her work. She also offers practical advice for high schoolers exploring medicine, and reminds students that it’s okay not to have everything figured out yet — you have plenty of time to discover your path. This conversation blends career insights, personal stories, and encouragement for anyone curious about a future in healthcare!

In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder: For the Future You, I sit down with Dr. Deeksha Mehta, an endocrinologist at Summit Health, and talk about her journey into medicine and how she discovered her specialty. Dr. Mehta shares challenges she faced, lessons from working across India, New York, and New Jersey, and practical advice for high schoolers interested in healthcare. She also shares valuable tips for international students adapting to new education systems and closes with the best piece of advice she’s ever received. Full of insights and encouragement, this episode is perfect and a must-listen for anyone figuring out their future in medicine!

If you're a teenager who's interested in tech but don't want to spend your life coding, then this episode is for you! Nikhil Purwaha studied computer science in college and later got his MBA, but his path into tech was anything but traditional. He's worked across product strategy and trust & safety at a major tech company and proves you don't have to be the "build the app" type to build a career in tech. 

 

In this episode, we talk about how he figured out what actually interested him, what product manager really do, what doors an MBA can open, and how to break into tech even if you're not obsessed with CS classes. Whether you're exploring majors, curious about tech, or feelin the pressure to "figure it all out," Nikhil brings honest advice and real insight to help you map out your own path!

Think healthcare is only about becoming a doctor? Think again. In this episode of Highschool Pathfinder, we sit down with Dr. Anuj Mehta, Chief Clinical Officer at Hackensack Meridian Health, to explore what leadership looks like in the world of medicine. He shares his journey from earning an MD to pursuing an MBA at Columbia, and how he now helps shape the future of healthcare. In this episode, Dr. Mehta also explains what teens should know if they’re curious about healthcare leadership. Tune in to hear how he found his path and the advice that helped him get there.