Aditya Karan Sharma
Native Country: India
Why NYU Tandon?
NYU Tandon has an exceptional power group, and even back in India, I had heard of many of the renowned professors here. They were the ones whose names were on scholarly papers we were reading. If you were interested in power systems, NYU Tandon was the natural choice, even among schools that might have more name recognition.
Was it hard adjusting once you arrived?
As soon as I was accepted, I put out a call on Facebook to find other students who would be arriving at the same time. Before I even landed in New York, I had made a group of friends and met potential roommates. We were all new to the city, but easily found a place to share in Queens, which was a very culturally diverse, vibrant place to live.
What has your career been like?
I worked for a time as a product manager at an LED lighting company, and I’m currently a product manager for PEI Genesis, a global company that makes heavy-duty precision connectors and cable assemblies used in aviation, energy, military, industrial, rail, and health care, among other sectors.
Right after graduating, however, I co-founded Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Optimization (HEVO), a start-up company that was housed in the New York City Accelerator for a Clean and Renewable Economy (NYC ACRE) at NYU Tandon. We developed a wireless charging unit for plug-in hybrid or electric vehicles. It was about the size of a manhole cover and designed to be used in parking lots, garages, city streets, or other highly trafficked areas. I oversaw technology for the company and worked closely with a group of professors, including Francisco de León and Dariusz Czarkowski, to forge a joint development agreement. It was an exciting entrepreneurial experience.
How did your NYU Tandon education prepare you for success?
I was inspired by the school’s strong culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, and I took many classes that provided me with practical knowledge that I use every day. I particularly benefited from studying power electronics with Professor Zivan Zabar, power systems analysis with Professor de León, and electrical power supplies with Professor Czarkowski. I’m happy to be able to implement my knowledge out in the field and to know that I’m growing professionally while helping my company grow.