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)

Mon, Mar 2 | 6:00 PM
Infinite Careers — Amah Edoh: Founder of African Futures Lab
In-person, Ford Building (E19-202)

Thu, Mar 5 | 4:00 PM
Graduate Student Professional Development Resource Lounge
In-person, Rogers Building (7-103)

Tue, Mar 10 | 6:00 PM
International Development Career Social
In-person, MIT D-Lab (N51-265)

Tue, Mar 10 | 6:00 PM
Infinite Careers — Kali Benavides, Senior Analyst at National Grid
In-person, Ford Building (E19-202)

Wed, Mar 11 | 2:00 PM
Fulbright In-Person Information Session
In-person, Maclaurin Buildings (4-153)

Thu, Mar 12 | 4:00 PM
Graduate Student Professional Development Resource Lounge
In-person, Rogers Building (7-103)

Fri, Mar 13 | 1:00 PM
Physician Lunch & Learn with Dr. John Leung — Boston Specialist Clinic
In-person, Rogers Building (7-103)

Wed, Mar 18 | 1:00 PM
Explore Fulbright: Norway
In-person, Rogers Building (7-103)

Thu, Mar 19 | 4:00 PM
Graduate Student Professional Development Resource Lounge
In-person, Rogers Building (7-103)

Check out the events below and join us!

McKinsey: Advanced Professional Degree (APD) Program

FEB 26 – Table at Spring Career Night

FEB 27 – APD recruiting info sessions & panel

MAR 2 – Women at McKinsey “Broken Run” workshop

MAR 3 – Case Workshop for APD candidates

MAR 25 – APD program application due

Boston Consulting Group: Bridge to BCG Program

MAR 2-20 – BCG Accelerate Advanced Degree Program

MAR 23 – Bridge to BCG application due

Bain: ADvantage Program

FEB 18 – Crack the Case workshop (virtual)

FEB 25 – ADvantage Program application due

Don’t forget, CAPD can help you with your consulting interview preparation! Book a career advising appointment on Handshake or check out our online course module, Behavioral Interviewing for PhDs & postdocs.

The Times Higher Education World University Ranking is an annual publication of university rankings by Times Higher Education, a leading British education magazine. The subject rankings are based on 18 rigorous performance indicators categorized under five core pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.

Read the full article at MIT News.

Thu, Feb 12 | 2:00 PM
Fulbright Virtual Information Session (Virtual)

Wed, Feb 18 | 1:30 PM
Careers in Patent Law for PhDs & Postdocs
In-person, E19-202 (Ford Building)

Mon, Feb 23 | 12:00 PM
Physician Lunch & Learn with Dr. Lucy Shen
In-person, Rogers Building (7)

Mon, Feb 23 | 5:00 PM
Legal Career Options for STEM Students
In-person, Maclaurin Buildings (4)

Tue, Feb 24 | 6:00 PM
Infinite Careers: Francesca DeMeo — Research Scientist at MIT & CEO of NoStove, Inc.
In-person, location TBD

*not on flyer

Wed, Feb 25 | 1:00 PM
Explore Fulbright: Turkey (Türkiye)
In-person, Rogers Building (7)

Fri, Feb 27 | 10:00 AM
How to Succeed in Your Squiggly Career
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Fri, Feb 27 | 2:00 PM
Coffee Chats with Alpha AI Engineering (For 1st & 2nd Years)
In-person

The Lime Connect Fellowship Program is our flagship leadership and professional development experience for high-achieving university students with disabilities who are exploring corporate careers.

Current sophomores (rising juniors) enrolled at U.S. universities are invited to apply for the 2026 Lime Connect Fellowship Program. This selective program prepares Fellows to successfully navigate the summer internship recruitment process, build confidence in their professional strengths, and gain exposure to leading global companies. Fellows also receive introductions to Lime Connect’s corporate partners, opening doors to potential internships and long-term career opportunities.

Beyond career preparation, the Fellowship welcomes students into a supportive, lifelong community of peers and professionals who share the experience of living with a disability.

Fellows consistently highlight the following benefits:

• Powerful insights into navigating college, internships, and the workplace with a disability
• A deep, lasting community built on shared experiences and mutual support
• Meaningful connections with professionals from the world’s leading corporations
• Increased confidence in the unique skills, perspectives, and strengths they bring to the workplace

This summer, connect with peers who understand your journey while accelerating your path toward a successful corporate career.

Apply by Tuesday, February 10.

MIT senior Katie Spivakovsky has been selected as a 2026-27 Churchill Scholar and will undertake an MPhil in biological sciences at the Wellcome Sanger Institute at Cambridge University in the U.K. this fall.

Spivakovsky, who is double-majoring in biological engineering and artificial intelligence, with minors in mathematics and biology, aims to integrate computation and bioengineering in an academic research career focused on developing robust, scalable solutions that promote equitable health outcomes.

At MIT’s Bathe BioNanoLab, Spivakovsky investigates therapeutic applications of DNA origami, DNA-scaffolded nanoparticles for gene and mRNA delivery, and co-authored a manuscript in press at Science. She leads the development of an immune therapy for cancer cachexia with a team supported by MIT’s BioMakerSpace; this work earned a silver medal at the international synthetic biology competition iGEM and was published in the MIT Undergraduate Research Journal. Previously, she worked on Merck’s Modeling & Informatics team, characterizing a cancer-associated protein mutation, and at the New York Structural Biology Center, where she improved cryogenic electron microscopy particle detection models.

On campus, Spivakovsky serves as director of the Undergraduate Initiative in the MIT Biotech Group. She is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, and has served as a lecturer and co-director for class 6.S095 (Probability Problem Solving), a teaching assistant for classes 20.309 (Bioinstrumentation) and 20.A06 (Hands-on Making in Biological Engineering), a lab assistant for 6.300 (Signal Processing), and as an associate advisor.

“Katie is a brilliant researcher who has a keen intellectual curiosity that will make her a leader in biological engineering in the future. We are proud that she will be representing MIT at Cambridge University,” says Kim Benard, associate dean of distinguished fellowships.

The Churchill Scholarship is a highly competitive fellowship that annually offers 16 American students the opportunity to pursue a funded graduate degree in science, mathematics, or engineering at Churchill College within Cambridge University. The scholarship, established in 1963, honors former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s vision for U.S.-U.K. scientific exchange. Since 2017, two Kanders Churchill Scholarships have also been awarded each year for studies in science policy.

MIT students interested in learning more about the Churchill Scholarship should contact Kim Benard in MIT Career Advising and Professional Development.