Grad Spotlight: Rachel Silverman

Rachel Silverman made the most of every opportunity Northwestern offered.

Through experiences including Engineers Without Borders, a semester studying abroad in Copenhagen, a faculty-led Global Engineering Trek, and the Client Project Challenge, she expanded her perspective, developed new skills, and discovered interests that helped shape both her academic journey and future career path.

“I have built many close friendships, mentorships, and professional relationships that I am certain will last long after graduation,” Silverman said. “Looking back, I am incredibly thankful for the talented people, impactful opportunities, and unique experiences that made my Northwestern journey so meaningful.”

Silverman is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management sciences. She spoke with the McCormick School of Engineering about her time at Northwestern, the skills she acquired, and her future plans.

Why did you decide to pursue engineering at Northwestern?

I was drawn to the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the McCormick School of Engineering. What stood out to me most was the ability to combine a strong technical education with opportunities to explore interests beyond a traditional engineering curriculum. I was excited by Northwestern's emphasis on small class sizes, teamwork, communication, and real-world problem solving, as well as the flexibility to pursue a variety of academic and extracurricular interests. The strong sense of community within McCormick, coupled with the resources and support available to students, made Northwestern feel like a place where I could both challenge myself academically and grow personally.

How did the McCormick curriculum help build a balanced, whole-brain ecosystem around your studies in your major?

The McCormick curriculum is not exclusively focused on building technical skills; it also emphasizes developing communication, leadership, and human-centered problem-solving skills. Courses such as Design Thinking and Communication encouraged me to take a step back from the technical details and consider the people that can benefit from the solutions that we create. Beginning in my first year, I learned that successful engineering is not just about designing something that works, it is about creating solutions that improve people's lives.

I chose to major in industrial engineering with a concentration in operations, transportation, and logistics, and minor in data science and engineering, which allowed me to explore a wide range of interests. As part of this, I particularly valued the management science electives in the curriculum because they allowed me to strengthen other sets of skills beyond technical analysis. Courses such as IEMS 343: Project Management for Engineers and IEMS 341: Social Networks Analysis challenged me to think about leadership, teamwork, communication, and organizational dynamics through case studies and collaborative projects.

I believe that this balance of technical and interpersonal development is one of McCormick's greatest strengths. The curriculum provides students with the foundation not only to develop innovative solutions, but also to lead and effectively implement those solutions in the real world.

You participated in Engineers Without Borders, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and the Society of Women Engineers. How did those experiences enhance your McCormick experience?

Being a part of Engineers Without Borders was one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had at Northwestern. As co-vice president of the local team, I jointly led the construction of a hydroponics system outside of the Norris University Center for Wild Roots, a student-directed garden which grows fresh produce for the Northwestern and Evanston communities using sustainable practices. This project taught me so much about the power of teamwork, perseverance, and curiosity and helped me to further develop my leadership skills. It is extremely rewarding to know that the hydroponics system will continue to be used on campus for years to come and my hope is that it will encourage the next generation of students to pursue innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

What skills or knowledge did you learn in the undergraduate program that you think will stay with you for a lifetime?

McCormick gave me a large toolbox of technical skills that I am excited to carry with me after graduation, but I think the most valuable thing I developed was a problem-solving mindset. Through my coursework and projects, I learned how to approach complex challenges with curiosity, an open mind, a willingness to test ideas, the ability to learn from setbacks, and the determination to achieve continuous improvement. Whether working on engineering design projects, optimization models, or real-world client challenges, I developed a structured approach to problem solving that I believe will serve me well throughout my career and beyond.

For example, through the Client Project Challenge, I had the opportunity to work with a team of three other IEMS students to develop a model to optimize dog volunteering shifts at the Evanston Animal Shelter. This project taught me the value of tackling real-world, open-ended problems and demonstrated that meaningful solutions often require balancing competing priorities and navigating imperfect data. Most importantly, this project reinforced that successful problem solving is rarely about finding a perfect answer on the first try. Instead, it is about remaining persistent, learning from each iteration, and continuously developing and refining a solution until it effectively meets the needs of those it is designed to serve.

What's next?

After graduation, I will be a lead routing analyst at 4MATIV Technologies, a transportation tech-company that was co-founded by an IEMS alum. In the longer-term, I am planning to pursue a graduate degree in industrial engineering and operations research to continue to build upon my skillset and dive into even more complex problems. 

What advice do you have for current and future Northwestern Engineering students?

Have confidence in your abilities and pursue the opportunities that genuinely excite you. You are/will be surrounded by incredibly talented and motivated students, and it can be easy to compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on participating in the classes, extracurricular activities, and experiences that strongly align with your interests and goals. Some of the most rewarding parts of my Northwestern experience came from pursuing opportunities that I was passionate about, even when they were outside my comfort zone.

Trust yourself, stay curious, and don't be afraid to take chances.

Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series of Q&As with graduating Northwestern Engineering students. Stay tuned for more reflections leading up to the June 15 Undergraduate Convocation.