The visit, hosted by MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD), offered participants an opportunity to learn more about economic consulting—engaging in candid conversations, participating in consultant panels, and seeing how analytical work translates into practice across market and policy contexts.

Paths into the field

The visit included a tour, a panel discussion, and individual conversations with consultants. During the panel, employees answered questions and shared insights into their paths into economic consulting, including transitions from academia and the collaborative nature of their work.

Senior Energy Analyst Nathan Felmus described a recent case involving PJM’s electricity market, where his analysis informed pricing decisions across large regions of the country. “It’s amazing to know that my work is informing such impactful policy decisions,” he added.

During the visit, participants walked through Brattle’s in-house library, complete with a dedicated librarian—a resource consultants described as central to their work. In conversation, they shared that much of their growth comes from taking on new cases, learning deeply as each project unfolds, and building expertise through hands-on experience supported by mentorship.

Reflecting on fit and career exploration

For students early in their academic journeys, these conversations added valuable context. First-year student Maria Calvo shared that learning about Brattle’s roles, structure, and recruitment timelines helped her better understand how opportunities might unfold over time. “The visit sparked my interest in energy consulting and made me aware of upcoming recruitment cycles I hope to participate in when I’m eligible,” she said.

By the end of the visit, participants left with a clearer picture of what economic consulting looks like in practice at The Brattle Group and of the paths for growth within the field. Experiences like this, supported by CAPD, allow students and postdocs to explore careers through firsthand exposure—meeting professionals, seeing workplaces, and considering fit, whether for an upcoming hiring cycle or opportunities still ahead.

On behalf of the participants, CAPD thanks The Brattle Group for hosting a thoughtful and engaging visit.

Related Links

• Students: “Connecting with Employers“
• Employers: Explore Scheduling an employer program or event to learn more about CAPD opportunities. If you are interested in hosting MIT students at your workplace, reach out to the Employer Relations team at hiremit@mit.edu.
• Article: “Exploring robotics, scale, and systems through a Symbotic site visit“

From code to full-system testing

The visit, hosted by MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD), offered participants a close look at large-scale engineering work—meeting engineers, walking through active testing spaces, and seeing robotics and software operate together in a real-world setting.

As the group moved through the facility, Symbotic engineers shared how robotic systems are tested, refined, and supported as the company grows. Participants observed full-system demonstrations alongside focused component testing, while engineers answered questions about system design and the coordination required to keep hundreds of robots operating smoothly. Watching robots in motion—and engineers troubleshooting in real time—helped connect classroom concepts to practical engineering work.

Mechanical engineering junior Daniel Nwazue was particularly struck by the scale and rigor of the testing environment. Seeing scaled-down warehouse lines and long-term wear testing underscored the importance of understanding how individual components perform within a larger system. “It really showed how valuable it is to understand each component thoroughly so the whole system performs well at scale,” he shared.

Adapting to growth

The visit also provided context for the evolving nature of Symbotic’s work and physical spaces, giving students a clearer sense of how growing companies adapt as they scale. Jena Hook, a Campus Recruiter at Symbotic, explained that as customer needs grow and products advance, the site has shifted toward testing, repair, research, and design—helping explain the construction and new spaces students encountered during the tour. “Seeing the systems in action helps them picture how they could contribute here,” she noted.

By the end of the visit, participants left with a clearer sense of how robotics, software, and engineering teams collaborate at scale. Experiences like this, supported by CAPD, allow students and postdocs to explore careers through firsthand exposure—seeing workplaces up close, engaging with engineers, and reflecting on fit, whether for an upcoming hiring cycle or opportunities still ahead.

On behalf of the participants, CAPD thanks Symbotic for hosting an informative and engaging visit.

Related Links:

• Students-Connecting with Employers
• Employers-Schedule an employer program or event (employers)

MIT students recently visited the MathWorks Lakeside Campus in Natick, MA, for a Women in Tech Trek—an event designed for those exploring careers in technology and engineering. The program introduced the Engineering Development Group (EDG), provided time to meet with MathWorks staff in a Q&A format, offered a tour of the workspace, and concluded with a hands-on MATLAB activity.

Takeaway 1: Explore to shape your career trajectory

The session opened with Engineering Manager Swetha Murali and a panel of women from across MathWorks, who described the varied routes that led them into technical roles. For the students—many still defining their professional direction—the visit reinforced the importance of learning, experimenting, and embracing growth.

Takeaway 2: Growth comes from tackling real-world challenges

Swetha spoke in depth about her journey, highlighting how EDG supported her growth from day one. She recalled her early years learning to code, noting, “I loved finding bugs, breaking that software, and then fixing that software.” Her guidance emphasized openness and persistence: be willing to learn, make mistakes, and keep going. She encouraged students to stay curious and engaged, adding that progress often begins with a single conversation—and that communication and a willingness to learn can open doors.

Students also heard from Ellie Stevens, MIT alum and Manager of EDG, who described how the program supports early-career hires through rotations, training, and a strong cohort model. After sharing her own path, she summed up her philosophy succinctly: “I am invested in people, and MathWorks is a very special place.”

Takeaway 3: Show up for opportunities that build momentum

Students toured the building and wrapped up the visit with a fast-paced software challenge where they used MATLAB to test ideas, troubleshoot, and refine their solutions—offering a clear view of how MathWorks tools support problem-solving in data science and engineering.

MathWorks and MIT have a longstanding partnership dating back to 1985, when MIT became the company’s first customer. For the students on the trek, it was easy to connect with the company’s hands-on and collaborative approach to engineering.

For Salma Bouzit ’27, Course 6, the trek was a chance to keep building momentum. “I knew MathWorks by name, but seeing how their engineers approach their career choices helped me imagine paths I might take,” she said. “I always try to challenge myself and build new skills, so this felt like an opportunity I certainly couldn’t miss.”

As students left the Natick Lakeside campus—where a new building is underway, reflecting the company’s continued growth—they carried a clearer sense of what people-focused, learning-driven engineering can look like in practice.

A group of MIT Mechanical Engineering (MechE) students recently visited Lexington Medical, a company advancing surgical-stapling technology for global markets, to learn about medical-device design and manufacturing.

The site visit—coordinated by MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering—was hosted by Alina Lisanke, Director of Talent Acquisition, and offered students a firsthand look at how engineering, design, and business intersect in medical innovation.

Inside Lexington Medical

Guided by Head of Manufacturing Margaret Kosten (MIT MechE ’20), students toured Lexington Medical’s vertically integrated operations, spanning product design, development, manufacturing, and shipping. Moving through engineering labs, assembly spaces, and testing areas, they saw how teams develop surgical staplers for use in operating rooms and even adapt production equipment to meet the company’s high standards.

After exploring the workspaces, students tested surgical staplers on foam models, seeing how even the curve of a staple can affect patient outcomes. “We dream in B’s,” joked Director of Engineering Jameson Kief, referencing the company’s “B”-shaped staples—an optimized geometry continually refined to ensure consistent performance and patient safety.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session featuring Founder and CEO Leon Amariglio, EVP of Technology Andy Marecki (S.B., S.M. ’12, MIT MechE), Director of Engineering Jameson Kief (MIT MechE ’20), Engineering Manager Carolyn Mothersell, and Mechanical Engineer Melissa Hummel (MIT Bioengineering ’23, current MIT EMT). Speakers emphasized curiosity, collaboration, and adaptability as key drivers of innovation.

Engineering with purpose

“For me, the visit to Lexington Medical was an incredible experience,” said Francisco Jeldres, a master’s student in mechanical engineering and engineering management. “It was amazing to see firsthand how mechanical and electrical engineering come together in the medical device industry. Even without a medical device background, one can still find a way to contribute and learn—bringing different skills together toward a shared goal.”

Hummel’s path echoed that same spirit of discovery and collaboration. As an MIT Bioengineering student, she once planned to attend medical school, but her experience as an EMT and her internship at Lexington Medical helped her realize a passion for the technical side of medicine—developing devices that improve patient care every day.

“This was a great opportunity for students to connect their coursework to current innovation and manufacturing processes and to hear how this work has a real impact on the lives of patients,” said Theresa Werth, MIT Mechanical Engineering Program Manager.

“These visits are a two-way exchange,” added Alina Lisanke. “For our team, it’s inspiring to connect with future engineers who share our passion for precision and problem-solving. For students, it’s a chance to experience a culture that values speed, agility, and innovation.”

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The following recommendations were developed by the Environmental Solutions Initiative at MIT

How to ask questions:

• Think in advance about what you would like to learn from the recruiter. Then create a list of questions that you would like to ask, keeping in mind the time allotted for your conversation.
• Think of your list of questions as a guide to the conversation, not a fixed list that you must get through. Better to actively listen and to respond to the answers of the interviewee than to stick to your list.
• Listen, listen, and listen. Expect to spend at least 80% of the time listening, not talking.
• Be mindful of time. It’s helpful to give the person a heads up a few minutes before the end of the time. Sometimes they will want to keep talking, but let them decide.
• Be thankful. Be transparent in letting them know that you are grateful for this opportunity.
• Be respectful. Your goal is not to grill or to judge the person with whom you are speaking, but rather to fill in your own knowledge gaps.

What questions to ask any company or organization:

Quick(er) openers– theoretically these could be yes or no answers, but better if not. Try to use these as a jumping off point to open up a broader discussion. Note two common acronyms: ESG = Environmental, Social and Governance, and CSR = Corporate Social Responsibility.

Does your company or organization…

• … have relevant credentials, building certifications, or memberships in the area of sustainability (such as B-Corp, LEED, FSC, a member of the Science Based Targets Initiative or RE100, etc.)?
• … build products or deliver services that are good for the environment?
• … have sustainability-related goals and/or targets? If so, are they publicly available?
• … publish an annual impact report (sometimes called an ESG report or CSR report) that updates stakeholders on its progress towards its sustainability-related goals?
• … track its carbon footprint? If so, is it transparent about publicly disclosing its data (such as submitting to the Carbon Disclosure Project (aka the CDP), publishing in an annual impact report, or other)?
• … have a ranking by any ESG rating agencies (such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), Sustainalytics, FTSE4Good, Oekom, etc.)
• …publicly support policies and politics at the local, state and national levels that are focused on driving rapid decarbonization in line with the Paris Accords?
• … work with manufacturers in its supply chain to help them move towards decarbonization

Dialogue starters– after starting with broader questions, move on to more in-depth ones.

• What does sustainability mean at your company or organization?
• How would you describe the perception of sustainability at your company or organization?
• How much value does your company or organization place on sustainability?
• How does sustainability fit into your company or organization’s strategy?
• What role does sustainability play in guiding product design?
• Is there attention to sustainable practices in day-to-day operations?
• What sustainability initiatives are of highest priority for your company?
• In what area(s) is your company or organization most keen on improving to further its positive impact?
• Where does sustainability “live” in your company or organization? Who oversees sustainability in your organization?
• How is your company or organization working to improve its carbon footprint?
• How does your company or organization incentivize for investment or R&D in energy efficiency, renewable energy, zero-carbon technologies or other carbon-reduction innovations?
• How does your firm practice ethical investing?
• How does your organization educate employees about sustainability?
• How could I get involved with sustainability as an employee at your company or organization?
• Are employees rewarded for making progress on sustainability issues, and if so how?
• To what extent does your company strive to be a leader within its industry on sustainability?

Don’t forget to ask!

Does your company or organization have any job openings available where I could bring a sustainability approach to the work? Are there specific jobs within the company that have a sustainability focus to which I could apply?

What if a recruiter does not have an answer?

• Feel free to go on to another question if you feel this is a dead-end.
• Otherwise you may be able to change the question into something the recruiter may be able to answer. For example instead of asking about how the company as a whole addresses climate change, you could ask about how people in the workplace incorporate sustainability into their work and actions.
• If you have run out of questions or feel the conversation is headed in a direction that is not beneficial for you it could be time to thank the recruiter for their time and head your own way. More on that below.

How to exit a conversation

• The main point is to exit politely and respectfully.
• Thank the recruiter for their time, shake hands if appropriate and then say goodbye.
• Keep in mind that neither party wants to waste time and the recruiter will likely be glad to respect both their own and your time.

Questions for industry-specific companies

There are some industries where it is appropriate to ask questions that are relevant to their particular line of work or operations. Look into recent industry-specific trends in sustainability to tailor your questions to ones that are most important to that sector. 

Who: All university students, and recent grads of any gender from any university.

When: September 23rd, 2023

Where: The Joyce Cummings Center at Tufts University in Medford, MA

177 College Ave, Medford, MA 02155

Cost: Free!

For further information and regular updates please visit our website, follow our Instagram, or contact us regarding future details and registration.

Website: https://www.tuftswit2023.com/

Instagram: @wicstufts

Email: tuftswit2023@gmail.com

The Precipice Summer Fellowship is centered around Oxford professor Toby Ord’s book The Precipice, which discusses existential risks from climate change to artificial intelligence. Fellows will attend seven discussions, meeting twice a week for an hour each. The syllabus can be found here.

Apply here for either or both of the programs!

The deadline for applicants is Friday, June 16th at 11:59 PM EST. The first meetings will occur on the week of June 26th.

What’s in it for you?

• connect with companies and labs with internship opportunities that are aimed at improving the world as much as possible
• learn about social good projects (e.g. global health/poverty interventions)
• understand the impact of advanced tech on the future (e.g. AI and bio risks)
• think about the implications of morality/philosophy on the future

Questions? Feel free to contact us at ea-exec@mit.edu

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