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Allison Sawicki '22 has been passionate about connecting with her fellow Chargers and taking advantage of a variety of opportunities throughout her time as a student at the University of New Haven. Now completing her final semester, she is grateful for the opportunities she has had as a student and is looking forward to beginning her career.

A mechanical engineering major, Sawicki has fond memories of attending a variety of fun events on campus, including Spring Weekend events with her friends. A member of the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, she has connected with her engineering classmates and with her professors through her work as a peer assistant. She has also served as treasurer for the University's .

"I have enjoyed being part of SWE because we have so many fun events," she said. "This also allowed me to meet new people in my major and network with professionals in my discipline at different events."

A member of the University's Honors program, Sawicki is conducting research on thermal batteries as part of her thesis. She is particularly focused on exploring how they fit into the renewable energy sector, as she is interested in the future of renewable energy. She has been learning about current technology as well as the benefits and limitations of current solutions.

"After speaking with some faculty in my department, I heard about a previous research project on thermal batteries and decided to continue this research," she explains. "This project was a great opportunity for me because I feel it has helped me get a better picture of the challenges in this field."

'Great advice and guidance'

Sawicki also gained valuable experience while completing three summer internships. Her first two internships enabled her to gain experience and build connections at , which has its corporate headquarters in Meriden, Conn. She served as an energy division intern and as a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) division intern. This past summer, Sawicki completed a mechanical design internship at , a company that designs, manufactures, and sells electrical and electronic products.

"In each of these internships, I had a manager or a coworker who was a University of New Haven alum," she said. "All were great experiences that helped me apply what I learned during my studies to the real world, enabling me to grow and learn even more."

Sawicki's internship opportunities helped prepare her to begin her career, and her final internship also led to a job opportunity. Soon after accepting her degree at Commencement, she will begin working for Hubbell Incorporated as an associate design engineer.

"My time at the University has prepared me for success by helping me learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills," she said. "It has also provided different networking opportunities for me. I have received great advice and guidance from faculty that will help me as I move into my career."