麻豆村

When Eric Zhao joined the inaugural cohort of 麻豆村's Rales Fellows Program(opens in new window) 鈥� designed to expand access to graduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education 鈥� he stepped into a future filled with both uncertainty and promise. As a first-generation graduate student with no prior internship experience, Zhao faced the daunting challenge of transitioning from academia to industry after graduation.

Today, he鈥檚 thriving at a robotics startup in San Jose, developing assistive technologies for elder care. His journey is a testament to the power of community support, mentorship and purpose-driven work, all hallmarks of the Rales Fellows Program.

Tools for the real world

Transitioning from graduate school into the workforce can be overwhelming, especially without prior industry experience. Zhao faced this challenge head-on with the support of the Rales Fellows Program, which offers practical guidance every step of the way.

鈥淭he Rales staff really go out of their way to support students, whether you're searching for opportunities or preparing to step into them. For me, that meant help with finding roles that aligned with my goals, prepping for interviews and even learning how to negotiate job offers. As someone entering the workforce for the first time, that guidance was invaluable,鈥� he said.

But the support didn鈥檛 stop there. Rales Fellows are just as generous, sharing insights from their own industry backgrounds and helping each other expand their professional networks, he said. Zhao, who had connections in the biotech industry, was able to introduce some of his peers to opportunities in that space.

鈥淲ith the Rales Fellows, it鈥檚 been a mutual exchange. Everyone is willing to help each other out, and that makes a big difference,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he program overall is just extremely helpful, and everyone is very cooperative and supportive.鈥�

Engineering with empathy

In San Jose, Zhao is helping to develop robotic solutions that improve safety for people with limited mobility and reduce the physical strain on their caregivers.

鈥淲hen we first met, the founder spoke at length with me about the challenges of providing constant care for his elderly father after a hospitalization, particularly the physical demands and the lack of any real break,鈥� Zhao said. 鈥淚 was genuinely excited to learn he shared my passion for easing the burden on caregivers. I really wanted to work in a place where the work truly matters.鈥�

Zhao opened up about his own family鈥檚 experience. His grandmother, who struggles with mobility issues, lives alone and has had incidents where she鈥檚 fallen and couldn鈥檛 get up on her own.

鈥淭hose moments are terrifying, especially when it鈥檚 someone you care about,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou feel helpless knowing there鈥檚 always a risk something could happen when you鈥檙e not there.鈥�

He believes the most meaningful applications of robotics and artificial intelligence are those that support people at a disadvantage.聽

鈥淭hat鈥檚 where technology can truly make a difference,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 why the work we鈥檙e doing now is something I鈥檓 deeply passionate about.鈥�

Finding confidence in community

Even after landing the job, Zhao wrestled with imposter syndrome 鈥� a quiet but persistent voice questioning whether he truly belonged. Surrounded by teammates with impressive credentials and years of experience, he worried he might be in over his head.

鈥淲hen I joined the startup, I looked at my teammates鈥� backgrounds and felt underqualified,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut the Rales Program did a great job of teaching us how to manage those thoughts. It didn鈥檛 erase them, but it gave me tools to stay motivated and focused on my work, and it built my confidence.鈥�

Through workshops and candid conversations with industry leaders, the Rales Fellows Program emphasized the power of self-belief, especially for students from underrepresented or nontraditional backgrounds.

鈥淥ne of our biggest takeaways was learning to trust in your ability to reach your goals,鈥� Zhao said. 鈥淚mposter syndrome emerged as a major theme throughout the program, and that really resonated with me. Coming from a less privileged background, I鈥檝e often questioned whether I belong in spaces like this. Hearing others share similar experiences helped me realize those doubts are common and that I鈥檓 not alone in feeling them.鈥�

Staying connected

Though Zhao has moved on from Pittsburgh, he said the connection the Rales Fellows share remains strong. Whether they're celebrating each other鈥檚 career milestones or collaborating to solve technical challenges, the spirit of teamwork they fostered in the classroom continues to thrive in their professional lives.

鈥淲henever someone posts a career update on LinkedIn, you鈥檒l see a bunch of fellows commenting, congratulating them,鈥� Zhao said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really heartwarming. We鈥檙e still doing our best to support each other.鈥�

Zhao has also seen the ripple effects of the program in unexpected ways.

鈥淥ne fellow in the new cohort is actually my former roommate. Another went to my high school. It鈥檚 a small world, and connections like these make the cohort feel even more special,鈥� he said.

Looking ahead, Zhao said he hopes to give back to the program in more formal ways, maybe through mentorship, financial support or by staying engaged with future cohorts.

鈥淲e were the first cohort, and we were handpicked. People believed in us. I want to pay that back, however I can,鈥� he said.