Anthony Bartolotta ’17 recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island as a mechanical engineering major with a minor in math and business. After graduation, he was fortunate enough to receive a position at Raytheon Technology Pratt and Whitney, thus officially beginning his professional career in the aerospace industry.
What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering in the aerospace industry?
Ever since I was young, I have dreamed of working in aviation. During my senior year of college, I had the opportunity to work with NASA, which was an incredible experience. Working alongside NASA employees was the final token of inspiration I needed to know the path I wanted to take in my career.
How do you think your time at Kellenberg Memorial helped to prepare you for your success in your academic and professional pursuits?
Kellenberg Memorial has taught me the value of organization and time management. One of the most challenging aspects of college is the numerous homework, project, and exam deadlines that often fall on similar dates. Using the tools I have gathered at Kellenberg, it was a smooth transition into college, and I successfully organized myself to succeed in my classes.
Do you have any advice for current students or young alumni who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering?
There will be many times in your life when you may feel like you have fallen short in your academic career, or perhaps your athletic career. Failing is incredibly difficult to accept, and sometimes it can feel detrimental. However, it is important to put your life into perspective and understand that this “failure” you are currently facing is only a glimpse in your lifetime. It is a stepping stone to further prepare you for a more significant challenge that you will soon encounter. Failure can be the ultimate key to success when approached with a positive attitude.
Do you have any favorite teachers, coaches, or club moderators from your time at Kellenberg Memorial?
The wrestling coaches at Kellenberg heavily influence the mindset each of their players possess. Eric Meisse, Chris Alfalla, Joe Fiore, and Patrick Healy each took part in guiding me through my wrestling career and guiding me to push myself everyday. Often I refer back to the endless hours in the wrestling room and the resiliency I have obtained from the sport when challenges are presented to me. I realized that the challenges I overcame in wrestling translated to the challenges I faced in my academic career, and quickly it became second nature to conquer each task at hand.