EE Masters Student Adithya Rajeev embraced every opportunity offered at Penn
Adithya “Adi” Rajeev, who completed his EE master’s in three semesters, seized every learning opportunity offered at Penn. Adi’s pursuit of knowledge led to offers from Tesla, Apple, and Nvidia for his work in embedded firmware systems.
Adi’s work in embedded firmware systems runs the gamut from vehicles to the user interface for hand-held devices. “It’s writing the control of any device or any microcontroller or microprocessor,” Adi explained. To Adi, the core competencies of his work translate to problem-solving, communication and collaboration.
Success for Adi results from action. “I like challenges and not knowing things, it motivates me to get things done,” Adi said. Adi’s educational and professional background supports this assertion. Before enrolling at Penn, he earned a bachelor in Electronics and Communications Engineering from SRM IST Chennai. Adi worked as an engineer at both Qualcomm and AMETEK STC. In addition, Adi has certifications in Python and MATLAB, which he used to develop and test firmware and software solutions. Further, Adi served as an Automotive QA intern for NVIDIA last summer. If he accepts the offer at NVIDIA, Adi will join as a senior embedded engineer.
Finishing the master’s in a year and half is quite an accomplishment. Though according to Adi, “I didn’t put a lot of pressure on myself for finishing or getting a job. I’ve been grinding a lot, but it was not that bad.”
Part of that grind included spending hours in the Detkin Lab, where Adi immersed himself in assignments, collaborated on innovative projects, and built connections with fellow Electrical and Systems Engineering (ESE) students. Beyond academics, the lab also became a space for camaraderie, where he enjoyed meaningful conversations and moments with friends.
It also included enrolling in a wide range of EE and SE courses. “I was not very focused on one field. I was here to learn and explore,” Adi said, adding that he would audit several classes at the beginning of the semester before deciding.
Adi’s interests extend beyond engineering. He enjoys reading almost everything, “except self-help books.” He has a lifelong love for chess. As for sports, “I like anything that is physical. It’s a getaway from work,” Adi emphasized. Examples include basketball, cricket, and ice skating. In fact, Adi attended an EE ice skating event at the close of his time at Penn.
When it comes to further educational opportunities-Adi wants to work first. “Before I came to Penn, I never considered the PhD. But I have worked very closely with friends who are doing research […] and I’m thinking about it in a different way.”
Will Penn factor into Adi’s future considerations? Naturally, he is departing Philadelphia for now. When will return next? For the May 2025 master’s graduation ceremonies, of course.