When Chaz Aguiar arrived at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he already had something many students are still building: real-world technical experience. As a graduate of a vocational-technical high school focused on electronics engineering technology, Chaz developed a strong hands-on foundation early. By his junior year, he had secured a co-op at Btech Acoustics, a small government contractor specializing in underwater transducers. There, he gained practical experience working in a high-stakes, defense-adjacent production environment—an opportunity that shaped both his technical confidence and career direction.

At WPI, Chaz is pursuing a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering while actively immersing himself in both technical and leadership roles. He joined the High Power Rocketry Club (HPRC) Electronics Subteam, where he works on real-world PCB design projects, and serves as Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA). These experiences quickly translated into career opportunities.

Through the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP), Chaz secured an internship with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, RI. There, he worked within the Undersea Range Development and Sustainment group, contributing to sonar array systems, hardware testing, and modeling—work directly aligned with his academic and technical interests.

Building on that momentum, Chaz will spend his upcoming summer as a PCB design intern at General Dynamics Mission Systems, further deepening his experience in advanced electronics design.

Turning Preparation into Opportunity

Chaz credits much of his success to a combination of early preparation and intentional engagement at WPI. His vocational high school background gave him a head start, allowing complex ECE concepts to “click” faster. Meanwhile, his work with HPRC provided practical PCB design experience that directly helped him stand out to recruiters at General Dynamics. His leadership role in SGA strengthened his communication and confidence—skills that proved essential during interviews.

Equally important was his use of WPI’s career resources, especially the Heebner Career Development Center. Both of Chaz’s internships began not with an online application, but with a conversation at the WPI Career Fair. A discussion with representatives connected to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard introduced him to NREIP, ultimately leading to his role at NUWC. Similarly, a strong interaction with a General Dynamics recruiter led to a follow-up, multiple interview rounds, and an offer.

“The Heebner Career Development Center makes it easy to connect the dots,” Chaz says, noting that even their Instagram account helps him stay informed about events and emerging opportunities.

Advice for Future Engineers

For students just starting their journey, Chaz’s advice is clear: preparation and presence matter. Research companies before attending career fairs. Understand their work, identify what interests you, and be ready to talk about it. Most importantly, approach conversations with confidence.

“Both of my internships started with a conversation at the career fair. Not an application, not a LinkedIn message—a conversation. Show up prepared, know your stuff, and talk to people. That’s it.”

Chaz’s story is a reminder that success isn’t just about what you know—it’s about how you apply it, who you connect with, and the initiative you bring to every opportunity.