Grad Spotlight: Tara Saxena Builds Community and Confidence Through Engineering and Leadership at McCormick
Saxena is graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering
Tara Saxena calls Northwestern Engineering a “special community.”
Saxena did her part to make that statement true.
Saxena, who is graduating from the McCormick School of Engineering with a degree in mechanical engineering, served as co-president of both Northwestern’s undergraduate chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and NUSTARS (Northwestern University Space Technology and Rocketry Society).
Through those experiences, Saxena interacted with students and faculty with different experiences and viewpoints. That left a mark on her.
“It’s the people that make McCormick what it is,” Saxena said. “I have learned so much from everyone around me, which has been one of the best parts of the last four years.”
Saxena, who will begin her PhD in robotics and controls this fall at the California Institute of Technology, reflected on her time at Northwestern Engineering in a Q&A.
Why did you decide to pursue engineering at Northwestern?
Going into college, I knew I wanted to study engineering, but I was not sure what type. I chose to study mechanical engineering at McCormick because of the emphasis on collaboration and flexibility to explore my interests. I was also excited by the opportunities at Northwestern to be surrounded by people who I could learn from and who were passionate about many different fields, including outside of engineering.
How did the McCormick curriculum support your studies in your major? Any particular course highlights you'd like to share?
Design Thinking and Communication showed me early on how I could apply engineering to solve problems and how important understanding the people and context behind engineering is in creating technologies that matter. Within McCormick, I have had the opportunity to take electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, and computer science classes, which has helped me creatively approach problems by bringing in tools from different disciplines.
How did your extracurricular activities, SWE and NUSTARS, impact your time at McCormick? How did they support your development as a person and researcher?
Being part of SWE and NUSTARS was a huge part of my experience. I made so many friendships across different years and majors, learned how to work effectively as a team to solve real-life engineering problems. I got to play a large role in fostering an inclusive engineering community. My involvement also helped me become more confident as a leader who can bring people together, both inside and outside of engineering, which I will continue to carry with me.
What skills or knowledge did you learn in the undergraduate program that you think will stay with you for a lifetime?
How to ask good questions and approach problems with perseverance. Being able to figure things out when I am stuck or confused is one of the most important skills that engineering has taught me.
What advice do you have for current and future Northwestern Engineering students?
Don’t be afraid to not know something. Take advantage of the quarter system to explore. Intentionally try things that are out of your comfort zone such as taking a random class you are curious about or joining a new club. Learning what you don’t like is as important as learning what you do.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of Q&As with graduating Northwestern Engineering students. Stay tuned for more reflections leading up to the June 16 Undergraduate Convocation.