Exit Interview: Sanya Rajput BS'26

"The close-knit community within the MSE department was one of the most valuable parts of my Rutgers experience." -Sanya Rajput

As a materials science and engineering (MSE) student, Sanya Rajput gained experience in failure analysis, reliability, and high-temperature material systems, while developing an interest in the intersection of materials science and manufacturing engineering. In July, shortly after graduating magna cum laude, Rajput began working as a process and sustainability EOM engineer in Saint Gobain's Essentials of Manufacturing Program. 

What do you most enjoy about your job?

I love being close to the action. I can walk onto the manufacturing floor, see problems as they're happening, and talk directly with operators. It's rewarding to see the products and processes I work on come to life firsthand. 

What drew you to major in MSE? 

At the end of my freshman year, I was still deciding which engineering field to pursue. I had the opportunity to work in Professor Goel's lab through the Aresty Research Program, and that experience drew me toward materials science. Seeing how changes in a material's composition and processing could result in completely different properties immediately caught my interest.

So far, how does your job intersect with your MSE studies?

Saint Gobain is a materials company, so there's a lot of overlap. At my site, we manufacture ceramic catalyst carriers, so materials science shows up everywhere—from how we process the ceramic to how we test and characterize the final product. 

What do you most value about your MSE education?

The close-knit community within the MSE department was one of the most valuable parts of my Rutgers experience. At such a large university, having a smaller department made it much easier to build real relationships with professors and other students. 

Do you have any advice for entering MSE students?

Being unsure about what you want to do after college is completely normal and you don't need to know what are of MSE you want to pursue right away. Getting involved in research, internships, and different experiences is how you figure out what interests you and what kind of career you want to build. Give yourself the space to explore and figure it out as you go.