When Kanika Mohan first came to the United States at 12 years old, she was introduced to a culture that felt quite different from the one she was accustomed to in India.

“My world shook and everything felt harder as I assimilated to the culture, but my family always emphasized how America is the land of opportunity which was true for me,” she said.

Surrounded by an incredible support system, namely her mother and aunt, she was encouraged to build a strong foundation for her life, to live life on her own terms, and to explore different paths. Kanika credits an event she attended, a hackathon, for opening her eyes to the world of technology and engineering.

Since then, she has spent her college career creating opportunities for other students to network, be involved on campus, increase accessibility to career opportunities, and help others have that “aha moment.”

Smells Like Campus Spirit

From day one of college, Kanika has been involved in UM-Dearborn’s Student Activities Board (SAB). As Vice President of SAB, she has organized over 100 events for our student body, including the Homecoming Dance, the Winter Wonderland Ball, the Cedar Point trip, Thanksgiving dinner, and de-stress events during final exams.

“Being part of a student organization so dedicated to student well-being has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my college experience,” she said.

In 2023, the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) recognized her efforts by awarding her the "Midwest Student of the Year" for introducing "Bruce the Goose" to Dearborn’s campus. Inspired by the frequent presence of geese on campus, “Bruce the Goose,” has become a celebrity at UM-Dearborn who attends events, cheers on athletic teams, and ultimately, brings students together.

“This was an incredibly rewarding experience, as my team attended the APCA conference to bring more activities and vendors to our events, but it ended up in me receiving national recognition for my impact on other students solely through my love for building communities.”

Reaching Millions

Kanika began writing about her experiences in corporate America online in 2024, quickly resonating with audiences on platforms like LinkedIn. Her reach expanded to three million people last year alone.

“Many felt encouraged to start building their careers regardless of their age or background because I promote ‘If I can do it, so can you,” she said. “As someone who grew up without social media, it excites me to write to thousands of people every week and have an impact on girls around the world through my words.”

Giving back to her community is crucial to Kanika. She not only encourages professionals through social media but through in-person events. She gives back to the Detroit tech community by speaking and volunteering at the Coalition of Minority Professionals Engineering Society events. At 20, she addressed a large audience about the “cringe” in networking and writing online at the International Women’s Stage at DTE Energy. Since then, she has spoken at multiple high schools, on ten virtual panels, and at conferences.

“Through these initiatives, I get to help my fellow students realize that their dreams can still happen,” she said.

Creating Career Opportunities

Beyond sharing her journey, Kanika actively connects others with career opportunities. She hosted events on campus to increase access to internships, co-ops, and jobs after graduation. A standout initiative was the Speed Resume Reviews, where students received feedback from Ford Motor Company professionals, to help them strengthen their resumes.

“Even now, students tell me how impactful that event was—especially since it took place right before the career fair,” she said. “Internships and co-ops are powerful tools that can strategically jumpstart a career, and I’ve worked to make those opportunities more accessible through events like this.”

After graduation, Kanika will be joining IBM as an Associate Product Manager. In the future, she aspires to become a Chief Product Officer in the education-technology space as well as someone who continues to give back to their communities. Whether as a motivational speaker or an active volunteer, she hopes to continue bringing joy and hope to others.

“The spaces and people at UM-Dearborn have given me the confidence to achieve my wildest dreams since my first year.”