Prithvi Ravi at florrent co-op
International MS student Prithvi Ravi has always felt a strong pull toward
fundamental science - the pursuit of knowledge in its purest form. In high
school he learned about the field of materials science and engineering,
which has roots in both fundamental and applied science, offering Prithvi a
broad academic landscape to explore. He decided to pursue an undergraduate
degree in metallurgical and materials engineering in his home country of
India, but he knew his quest for knowledge wasn’t finished when he
graduated.
Prithvi looked to advanced degree options in the U.S., where he felt he
could find the best exposure to international cultures, research
opportunities, quality education, and flexible curriculum. The study of
energy storage solutions, an emerging and critical domain, was of
particular interest to him. “Aspiring to contribute to this cutting-edge
field, I sought an institution at the forefront of both materials science
and energy storage,” Prithvi says. “Drexel University, renowned for its
pioneering work in these areas, quickly emerged as my top choice for
pursing my master’s degree.”
Drexel’s graduate co-op program provided Prithvi an additional avenue for
exploring the energy storage field. He recently completed a co-op at
florrent, an energy startup working to develop ultracapacitors from carbon active
materials derived from hemp biomass. At florrent, Prithvi worked in
physically characterizing and electrochemically testing and studying these
carbon active materials to make superior ultracapacitors for energy
storage.
Along the way, Prithvi discovered that working at a startup company brought
unexpected benefits to his co-op experience. “Working in tech startups
constitutes a fast-paced environment where multiple activities unfold
within short periods of time,” he notes. “You experience a lot of challenges
and are given numerous opportunities to solve them. It is incredibly
rewarding as you accumulate a lot of knowledge and there is a high
potential where your work makes a direct impact in the company’s direction
to success. As a part of a startup, your role extends beyond that of a
traditional employee; you engage directly with senior leadership,
participating in numerous discussions that fuel your learning and
inspiration.”
After completing his MS degree, Prithvi plans to work in the energy storage
industry for a while, then head back to school for a doctoral degree to
embark on a career in academia. He sees numerous ways his co-op experience
at a startup is preparing him for his path. “The co-op at florrent has
helped me develop a lot of hands-on experience, scientific thinking,
problem-solving skills, and exposure to diverse technologies and
techniques. These experiences have equipped me with practical skills that
have served as a crucial foundation for my transition into a career in the
tech industry and the dynamic world of scientific discovery.”
Learn more about how you can make an impact with a graduate co-op experience.