Featured in NIU Commencement Video, Naperville Grad Looks Ahead

When Aditi Venkatesh appeared in Northern Illinois University's commencement video this spring, the audience got a glimpse of a budding engineer reflecting on four years of growth and versatile achievement.

But there’s more to the story—and Naperville is at its heart. Those experiences include childhood STEM experiences with Venkatesh’s father, years on the Metea Valley High School math team and a community that encouraged students to aim high.

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That foundation was pivotal in shaping a path whose next step is a job as a rotational engineer at ComEd this summer.

“Growing up in Naperville, I was surrounded by peers who strived for excellence, countless opportunities and teachers who believed in my potential," Venkatesh said. "Being in such an environment encouraged me to be ambitious about my goals and gave me the confidence to pursue them.”

At NIU, Venkatesh went on to become a leader, researcher and mentor. Her engagement ranged from the student Supermileage team to her leadership of a student organization that focuses on electrical engineering, research on battery properties and chemistry, and her senior design project with Woodward, an aerospace company.

Her path to engineering wasn't straightforward.

As a child, she was fascinated by how things worked. She attended STEM programs with her father, including Fermilab's Ask-a-Scientist events, and gravitated toward activities that challenged her to think critically. At various points, she considered becoming a math teacher, a composer and even a physician.

Engineering eventually emerged as the perfect fit because it “combines technical problem-solving with creativity, which fit both my technical and artistic interests,” she said.

At Metea Valley, she found opportunities that helped prepare her for the demands of college and beyond. She credits the school's rigorous coursework with strengthening her academic foundation but says the most valuable lessons came from balancing responsibilities.

"The biggest takeaway was the discipline and management skills that I had to learn to juggle all my classes and extracurriculars while still keeping up my grades," she said.

One of the activities that had the greatest impact on her development was Math Team, where she competed for four years and served as captain during her senior year.

"A lot of people think you just need to be really good at math," she said. "But it teaches you how to approach complex challenges in a logical and sometimes creative manner."

Her parents, Venkatesh Varadaraju and Swapna Venkatesh, also played a major role in shaping her outlook. Both immigrated to the United States from India in the early 2000s and built successful lives while raising Aditi and her younger brother, Aditya.

“My parents pushed me to work hard to achieve what I want,” she said. “For example, when I was interested in music, their support led me to learn the violin, piano, and write my own compositions.”

When it came time to choose a college, she was looking for a place where opportunities would be accessible.

At NIU's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Venkatesh found hands-on experiences in research, student organizations and leadership roles that allowed her to become involved from the start.

Initially, however, she questioned whether she had made the right choice. Having gained acceptance to four other universities, including the University of Illinois and Wisconsin, she even contemplated transferring.

As she became more engaged on campus, though, “I found my place and I genuinely believe that coming to NIU was the best choice.”

She immersed herself in opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, even composing for the university's orchestra while playing the violin all four years.

"There was one point where I was busy with Supermileage competition, preparing for our Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement, organizing an induction ceremony for IEEE-HKN and finishing a composition for our school's orchestra," she said. “It was overwhelming at times, but I learned how to prioritize and manage my time effectively.”

Among the mentors who influenced her journey, she points to Professor Don Zinger, who is also chair of the electrical engineering department. They met through NIU's Research Rookies program, during Venkatesh’s second year, and Zinger was a consistent presence thereafter, from research projects to senior design and student organizations.

Zinger said that when he first met her, “she was bubbling with enthusiasm to work on a Research Rookie project.”

“She retained that enthusiasm throughout the next few years while working with me on an honors project and senior design,” Zinger added. “She seemed unstoppable as she took on those projects, while remaining active in Supermileage and leadership roles in the IEEE-HKN electrical engineering honors society. Her willingness to explore and grow is a big reason she's been so successful, and with her heightened enthusiasm I am sure she will remain highly successful in the years to come.”

As graduation approached, another unexpected honor arrived. Venkatesh learned she had been selected to appear in NIU's commencement video (see video above), representing the experiences of engineering graduates. Watching the video for the first time at the NIU Convocation Center, along with thousands of others in attendance, was “surreal,” she recalled.

“There are many people I know who are so accomplished, so the thought that this would happen never crossed my mind,” Venkatesh added. “I hope viewers saw the value of getting involved. Growth often happens when you're willing to step out of your comfort zone.”

Now she is preparing for her next chapter at ComEd, where she worked as an intern the past two summers—a connection that came from an engineering job and internship fair that has launched countless other Huskies in their careers.

For those considering engineering or other STEM careers, her advice is simple: "Get involved as early as you can and always stay curious. You don't need everything figured out right away."

NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) provides affordable access to a world-class engineering education. Its fully accredited programs emphasize hands-on experience, with small classes taught by experienced, dedicated faculty that help a diverse array of students explore and ignite their passions in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Learn more by visiting the CEET website.