PGP Student Spotlights

FarmNerds Lab Summer Research Interns

 

Over the summer, we delved into a full co-design project cycle with local farmers. We split our time working as farmhands at Powisset Farm and building a software documentation tool to support their work. Engineering to support others expanded our imaginations for who we could be as engineers!

How did this experience impact you/influence your life?

We didn’t know what to expect going into this experience, but left with a greater understanding of what it means to make a positive impact through engineering. Through co-designing with the farmers, we practiced engineering as a way to support others, expanding our imaginations for who we could be as engineers after college. It was also really fun to farm! We got to learn about food systems and medium-scale organic farming while being outside in the sun and surrounded by plants, leading to a greater appreciation for the food we consume and the care put into it.

What advice do you have for students interested in this experience?

We stumbled upon this experience in exploring unique Olin opportunities to use engineering to create impact. To be frank, this experience was filled with uncertainty: during project ideation, we struggled to commit to a technical solution, and down the line, there were many moments when we didn’t yet have the necessary skills to build the software documentation tool. Irregardless, we were well-supported. We never hesitated to reach out to our mentor, Dr. Alessandra Ferzoco, for direction. By fully leaning into the experience despite its many uncertainties, we were able to get the most out of our summer.

Policy and Advocacy Intern, Coalition on Homelessness

My main project was coordinating a project in partnership with other community organizations around San Francisco to establish alternatives to police responses to homelessness. I got a much stronger understanding of the nuts and bolts of policymaking as well as a crash course on how to advocate for change. It also solidified for me that even though I was studying engineering, I could succeed in a non-technical job.

How did this experience impact you/influence your life?

COH was one of the first times I was really involved in advocacy work at an organization. I got a much stronger understanding of the nuts and bolts of policymaking as well as got a crash course on how to advocate for change. It also solidified for me that even though I was studying engineering, I could succeed in a non-technical job (which is what I did after graduation). COH did make me realize that I didn't love the day-to-day work of advocacy, so I became more interested in other ways I could help make change after my internship.

What advice do you have for students interested in this experience?

This experience was only possible for me because I had funding (thanks Olin Public Interest Fellowship!), and unfortunately (and reprehensibly), many nonprofit organizations don't pay their interns, so my first piece of advice would be to find funding if you can. The good thing is regardless of funding you can get advocacy experience anywhere you look (which was far more valued at my organization than credentials anyway). Plan or go to a protest/action, write a letter, volunteer, call your representatives, connect with an organization doing things you care about, understand who has power and their incentives and how to disrupt things! Especially in the policy and advocacy space, you don't need a formal job experience to do important things, just love for your cause and some time to cause good trouble.

Flight Instructor

I work as a glider flight instructor and commercial pilot at a small airport in the mountains near my hometown. I get to teach people from all walks of life how to fly gliders, and I also get to take tourists on scenic flights over the local mountains and valleys.

How did this experience impact you/influence your life?

Becoming certified and working as a flight instructor has reinforced the saying, "Nothing worthwhile is given." I worked on the ground crew for several years, earning flight time as compensation, in order to advance through my private and commercial pilot ratings and eventually become an instructor. This process took a long time, demonstrating that sometimes you have to play the long game. Working with flight students has further confirmed this, as progress can be challenging, and those who are most successful in achieving their aviation goals are the ones who aren't deterred by hard work.

What advice do you have for students interested in this experience?

I would advise against feeling pressured into immediately pursuing an engineering internship or job. There are a lot of really cool ways to earn a paycheck that don't involve sitting at a desk, and spending a summer or a year after graduation pursuing a job outside the field of engineering can be a great way to develop skills and experience the real world in a way that engineering cannot provide.

Mechanical Engineering Intern, SpaceX

At SpaceX, I worked on the Starshield Gateways team, which develops and deploys ground satellite communication equipment to support the Starshield constellation. Working at SpaceX was a childhood dream come true and left a lasting impact on my problem-solving and leadership. I learned that prioritizing rapid iteration and testing over perfectionism drives real progress. Furthermore, the best designs come from questioning the requirements and deleting parts and processes that create complexity.

How did this experience impact you/influence your life?

Working at SpaceX was a childhood dream come true and left a lasting impact on how I approach problem-solving and leadership. I learned the value of a strong bias toward action—prioritizing rapid iteration and testing over perfectionism drives real progress. I realized that the best designs come from questioning the requirements and deleting parts and processes that create complexity. I was also inspired by the leadership culture, where managers focus on unblocking and empowering their teams rather than controlling them. This experience reshaped how I think about innovation, teamwork, and the importance of moving quickly while staying grounded in purpose.

What advice do you have for students interested in this experience?

Olin’s curriculum and community provide incredible resources, and advice from professors and former interns was invaluable in preparing me—I’m deeply grateful to them all. Build a strong foundation in technical and problem-solving skills, and cultivate a mindset that values curiosity, action, passion and continuous learning. Focus on deeply understanding concepts, not just memorizing them, by working on projects and exploring topics beyond the classroom. Be ready to work hard and adapt quickly, as the pace is intense but rewarding. However, don’t get lost in the work—take time to enjoy the experience and reflect on what you’re learning along the way.

Plasma Rocket R&D Intern, Busek Co.

During my internship at Busek Co., I gained hands-on experience with plasma rockets—the kind that will literally carry humans to the moon. I operated space-simulating vacuum chambers, tested real satellite thrusters, studied and enhanced plasma sources, all while contributing to the BHT-6000, a cutting-edge thruster for NASA's Artemis mission! The hands-on experience gave me the practical skills to found the Olin Plasma Engineering Lab, and the industry connections I made guided me towards a Ph.D. in high-power plasma rockets.

How did this experience impact you/influence your life?

My internship at Busek Co. was a turning point in my academic journey. The hands-on experience with plasma rockets and advanced propulsion systems gave me the practical skills and technical knowledge to found the Olin Plasma Engineering Lab, which is still thriving today. The relationships I built with supportive industry experts also played a pivotal role, guiding me toward a Ph.D. in high-power plasma rockets. Today, I’m excited to work on thrusters capable of carrying us to Mars, a passion ignited by my work on NASA’s Artemis mission and nurtured by my time at Busek.

What advice do you have for students interested in this experience?

My advice to students interested in space systems is to embrace big challenges and not be afraid to try things no one has done before. Olin’s project-based curriculum and independent study program provide a unique opportunity to tackle difficult projects, even in space tech. Take initiative, ask for help, and reach out to industry experts—an expert at Busek who helped me with my independent study ultimately hired me. I also recommend engaging in physics courses to broaden your knowledge and leveraging the Olin Plasma Engineering Lab and alumni connections for support and opportunities.