Ten Engineering Students Selected for Apple Next-Gen Innovators Mentorship Program

Ten Northwestern Engineering students joined the Apple Next-Gen Innovators Mentorship Program this fall. The program is a highly selective initiative designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of engineers through personalized mentorship and immersive learning experiences.

The 7-month Apple Next-Gen Innovators Mentorship Program pairs second- and third-year undergraduate students with Apple engineers for one-on-one mentorship. Through virtual hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, students will also gain real-world insights into a wide range of technical careers spanning hardware, software, and manufacturing.

“I’m excited about this new program because it gives our second- and third-year engineering students the chance to connect directly with Apple engineers and receive mentorship that supports both their technical and professional goals,” said Erik J. Friedman, assistant dean and senior director Northwestern Engineering’s Career Development (ECD) office.

McCormick School of Engineering participants include:

• Mohammed Alamin, a third-year student in mechanical engineering
• Gautham Anne, a third-year student earning a combined BS/MS degree in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering
• Du Chen, a third-year student in electrical engineering
• Malachi Cohen, a third-year student in materials science and engineering
• Amanda Diao, third-year student in mechanical engineering
• Jacob Jensen, a second-year student in computer engineering
• Alex Kanu, third-year student in chemical engineering
• Ben Kim, third-year student earning a dual degree in materials science and engineering and piano performance
• Jali Koroma, a third-year student in industrial engineering
• Anjana Radha, second-year student in mechanical engineering

The Northwestern cohort started with a resume workshop on September 22, led by an Apple recruiter who shared insider advice on showcasing technical experience and building standout resumes. A Mentee Kickoff event on October 6 followed, featuring motivational messages from Apple’s Judy Segura, PhD, lead thermal architect and expert in thermodynamics, and Matt Lussier, education program manager, hardware engineering.

Dean Christopher Schuh congratulated the students at a December 3 reception honoring the Apple Next-Gen Innovators organized by ECD.

The reception was followed by a tech talk on the new era of Apple Intelligence, hosted by ECD and The Garage at Northwestern University. Nearly 50 Northwestern students attended. A representative from Apple provided an overview on how Apple is redefining on-device AI, discussed building intelligent apps with Xcode and Swift, and shared an insider look at breakthroughs in Apple Silicon that are powering the next generation of immersive experiences.

Learning from leaders in the field

“My mentor and I have covered everything from building a technical portfolio and preparing for interviews, to working on professional soft skills and talking about general life philosophy,” Jensen said. “This is an amazing opportunity to gain firsthand perspective on how world class engineers at Apple approach complex problems and think about design, collaboration, and creativity within technology.”

Diao is also excited to learn more about the creative process behind Apple’s products.

“I value how this mentorship offers a personal look into Apple’s culture of innovation and the chance to learn directly from leaders in the field,” Diao said. “This program will help me refine my problem-solving skills and learn how to strive for excellence in everything I do after Northwestern.”

Throughout the academic year, students will participate in additional technical and professional development workshops. Upcoming events include:

• Panel Discussion with Apple Engineers
• Product Deep Dive & Learning
• LinkedIn Glow Up: Building Your Professional Brand

“The workshops are incredibly engaging and bridge technical insight with practical career development,” Jensen said. “The mentorship has encouraged me to think more critically about my long-term goals and how to align my technical interests in a way that can provide a positive impact.”