What is your next adventure?
In August, I’ll be joining Northrop Grumman for their Future Technical Leaders Program. I haven’t picked my first rotation yet, but I will most likely be in Colorado Springs or San Diego. 

What about your next adventure are you most looking forward to?
I’m excited to be able to try a ton of different roles over the next few years. I know a lot of things that I’m interested in and I think being able to try something new each year, in a new city will really help me hone in my interests. 

I want to get a taste of the business side of Northrop Grumman as well as the data analytics and software engineering side. 

Did you have any previous co-op, internship, or research experience in this area?
Throughout my undergrad and even in graduate school, I was involved in research with the Aerospace Systems Design Lab (ASDL). In undergrad, I primarily worked on systems engineering research and got to learn model-based systems engineering with electrified aircraft. In 2021, I interned with NASA Langley during my sophomore year and did MBSE work for small satellites. During my junior year I interned with Lockheed Martin and was a systems engineer for their radar systems. Last summer I interned at Northrop Grumman out in Palmdale, California, doing test engineering for their aeronautics group. 

The ASDL really helped me gradually get into research. With the help of my advisor, Dr. Dimitri Mavris, I got an introduction to systems engineering by learning basics like the language, SysML, and then implementing it in a Lunar Roving Vehicle Model. Then the following year, I worked on sponsored research with NASA.

How did your educational experience at Georgia Tech help you to achieve your goals?
The AE program did a really good job of introducing me to a variety of aerospace concepts, from space to aircraft to rotorcraft. I got a really good balance and introduction to all three of those concepts during my undergrad experience, which gave me a solid foundation especially coming in as a first-year student. 

I knew that I liked aerospace, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with it and it kind of helped me think about what I might be interested in when it came to pursuing research and internship opportunities along the way. The AE School does a really good job of encouraging their students to get involved in other opportunities, whether it’s undergrad research, any of the student organizations, or getting experiential learning from internships, and also being really well connected with the industry. It really provided a good platform for me to build my network and get connected to people in the industry. 

What advice would you give to an underclassman who would like to follow the same path?
Get involved with the AE student organizations. There are so many that you can get involved in and that host events throughout the semester. Doing research on campus really helped me build the skill sets that were ideal when it came time to apply for internships, so find other ways to get involved to help you on your career journey. Learn how the corporate environment works. It’s a lot different than the academic environment and can show you what you do and don’t like and help prepare you for what’s out there. Ask upperclassmen for advice, how they got experience, ask a lot of questions. It’s a good learning opportunity to learn from other people’s experiences.