Connections Beyond the Classroom

When Pragna Mavathur Suresh (MEM ‘25) walked through Motorola Solutions' Chicago Experience Center last October, she was touring her future workplace.  

She just didn’t know it yet.  

Suresh, a student in Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program, participated in a program visit hosted jointly by Motorola Solutions and Accenture. The tour gave MEM students a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge technology and product management processes.  

For Suresh, the experience sparked immediate action. Within days, she explored Motorola Solutions' career portal and applied for a supply chain data analyst internship. Two weeks later, she was invited to an interview. By Thanksgiving, recruiter Milton Moses delivered the news Suresh had been hoping for. 

“I had secured the internship,” Suresh said. “Opportunities often come in unexpected ways.”  

Suresh’s classmate Namrata Bhanuprakash (MEM '25) took a different path to the same destination. Though she missed the October visit, conversations with classmates about the tour and MEM director Mark Werwath’s positive comments about Motorola Solutions’ culture kept the company on her radar. 

Her breakthrough came at an engineering conference, where a conversation at Motorola Solutions’ booth with Moses provided insights into the company’s approach to program management. When a MEM student who had previously interned at Motorola Solutions reached out about a program management opening, Bhanuprakash didn't hesitate. 

“The interview experience with Motorola Solutions was engaging and insightful,” Bhanuprakash said. “Instead of feeling like a traditional one-way conversation, the discussions were interactive, allowing me to showcase my skills and experience while also gaining a deeper understanding of the team and the role.” 

She was offered an internship on Dec. 17. 

Eric Rovira Ricard, a senior product manager at Motorola Solutions and member of the MEM Industry Advisory Board, sees these success stories as validation of the program’s approach to career preparation.  

“Exposure to companies like Motorola Solutions brings classroom learning to life,” said Rovira Ricard, who leads a team responsible for mission-critical application services for public safety on Motorola Solutions’ flagship portable devices for first responders. “It provides students with inspiration, direction, and a clearer understanding of what it means to lead in a technical organization.”  

Rovira Ricard was impressed by Bhanuprakash's and Suresh most's mix of initiative and curiosity. 

“Namrata and Pragna stood out by highlighting a mix of technical strength, leadership initiative, and real impact,” he said. “They also showed genuine interest in the company’s mission and products, connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications.” 

The ongoing relationship between the MEM program and Motorola Solutions reflects a broader trend of companies seeking engineering leaders who can bridge technical expertise with business acumen.  

Rovira Ricard, who holds advanced degrees in electrical and telecommunications engineering, understands this intersection firsthand. 

“MEM is a world-class program that cultivates top talent, ideal for future leaders in tech organizations, engineering, and product," he said. "Our partnership is exciting because you're at the intersection of ideas, talent, and real-world impact, helping translate big thinking into tangible results for both sides.” 

For both students, the experience reinforced the value of proactive networking and industry exposure. Their journeys from classroom to internship demonstrate how a single industry visit or booth conversation can open new doors. 

“Industry visits play a crucial role in shaping career aspirations by providing exposure to real-world company operations, sparking new interests, and opening doors to unexpected opportunities,” Suresh said. “Being proactive is key. When an opportunity excites you, it's important to act immediately by applying, connecting with recruiters, and showcasing your skills.”