After graduating from MIT with a degree in product design, she went on to work for Milwaukee Tool as a designer.
During her junior-year Independent Activities Period (IAP) at MIT, she was able to gain valuable experience working with and for MIT alumni through the Micro-Internship program.
While working in the advanced engineering group, I worked on developing an accessory for an electrical trade tool that was focused on improving the efficiency of a common task repeated throughout the day for electricians.
She says that the best part of the January 2020 micro-internship was that she came away with a prototype.
“I just love the feeling I get when I hold something I designed or made in my hands for the first time. It’s a big part of the reason I became an engineer.”
Rosalie Phillips ’21
She started thinking about how to get there once she understood what success looked like. She says she began to solve problems after she had her best idea. I was able to design a concept and have a high-fidelity 3D print in hand a day or two later to test everything from access to ergonomics to fit. It was an amazing hands-on experience, surrounded by all the resources to prototype.
When she got to work on a prototype for a powertool during her internship at Milwaukee Tool, the success of the IAP internship motivated her to sign on for a full internship. There was a full-time job offer after that. She began in September of 2021. The company's structure of product design cycle and the fact that each person owned a project attracted her to it.
When I hold something I made for the first time, it makes me happy. It was one of the reasons I became an engineer. I was excited to bring something to the world, curious if it will work, and ready to make the next one.
The idea of an internship has been around for a while. The MIT Alumni Association began the MIT Student/Alumni Externship Program in 1997 as a way for alumni to host student interns. The Micro-Internship Program was changed to the MIT Career Advising and Professional Development. The program still encourages MIT alumni to host undergrad and graduate students at their companies, even though students now have the chance to apply for positions not hosted by alumni.
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