From Classroom to Career: Elissa Sainthil's Transformative Co-op Experience at Advanced Energy

Hands-on, real-world experience is what sets RIT students apart. It's also what launches careers.

Third-year microelectronic engineering student Elissa Sainthil used her co-op at Advanced Energy in Ronkonoma, N.Y., to solidify her career aspirations in a field with constantly progressing technology.

A second-generation RIT student, Sainthil credited RIT’s variety of majors, small class sizes, and friendly professors as the reason to follow in her mother’s academic footsteps to RIT. She is able to spend some time at home in Central Islip, N.Y., while working with Advanced Energy’s UltraVolt products during her co-op.

Sainthil has learned a lot about electrical engineering while also building on her education in microelectronics. She has been involved in testing and documenting high voltage power supplies with the company.

While learning about different projects, she has had supportive co-workers who have taken the time to explain how things work and have given her the time to fully understand the work.

Although she says the process of getting her first co-op position wasn’t always easy, the support system, specifically from the extracurricular group Women in Engineering @ RIT, is a big part of her success.

Her co-op adviser is also to thank for sending Sainthil’s résumé to companies, which resulted in interviews. During those interviews, Sainthil’s on-campus leadership experience stood out to potential employers. The experiences and resources available through RIT have given her the preparation and confidence needed once she heads into her professional life.

“Luckily, because of this co-op, I’ve had the ‘aha’ moment that yes, I picked the right major,” said Sainthil. “I also think because of this co-op I will want to work in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. This made me more prepared for when I go out into the real world.”