Mechanical Engineering Alumna Found Her Future at Leading Aerospace Company
Angela Mercaldi Ӱԭ25 turned her passion for engineering and drive as a student-athlete into a full-time role at Pratt & Whitney. Her story is one of persistence, mentorship, and finding passion through hands-on experience.
July 11, 2025
By Caitlin Truesdale, Office of Marketing and Communications
Angela Mercaldi Ӱԭ25 graduated with a full-time job offer as a manufacturing engineer.
Angela Mercaldi Ӱԭ25 knew she wanted to both study engineering and compete in from the first time she stepped onto the University of New HavenӰԭs campus.
ӰԭI always found myself drawn to math and science,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭTaking engineering classes in high school confirmed that it was what I wanted to do.Ӱԭ That, paired with her older sisterӰԭs success as a chemical engineering student at the University, gave Mercaldi confidence in her decision. ӰԭMy sister had great internships and got a job right after graduation. SheӰԭs living proof the University could set you up for a bright future.Ӱԭ
also played a major role. ӰԭI wanted to do track and field in college, and meeting the coaches here made it feel like the perfect fit,Ӱԭ she said. Between the academic programs and the supportive team environment, Mercaldi knew she had found her place.
What she didnӰԭt know then was that her time at the University would lead to a series of internships at , a worldwide leader as an aerospace designer and manufacturer, and eventually a full-time job offer as a manufacturing engineer. ӰԭMy motto has always been to be a sponge and absorb as much as I can,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭI wanted to separate myself from the pack.Ӱԭ
ӰԭNetworking is everythingӰԭ
Mercaldi landed her first internship with Pratt & Whitney in 2022, thanks in part to a resume workshop hosted by one of her professors. ӰԭAt first, my resume just had summer camp counselor positions,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭBut the workshop helped me highlight my strengths as a student-athlete and an engineering student.Ӱԭ
Mercaldi began her time at Pratt & Whitney as a quality engineering intern, where she supported the materials control lab and gained exposure to aerospace regulations and post-manufacturing processes. Eager for more hands-on experience, she returned the following year as a manufacturing engineering intern, working on the F-135 military engine line.
ӰԭI helped troubleshoot an old machine that wasnӰԭt producing the quality we needed,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭI ran experiments and research to improve the process so the part could pass inspection. It was challenging but really rewarding.Ӱԭ
Through it all, she made a point to build relationships. ӰԭAt Pratt & Whitney, they tell you right away that networking is everything,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭIӰԭd get lost walking the shop floor (it's massive) and those moments turned into conversations with people who ended up becoming my mentors.
ӰԭI loved meeting everyone there,Ӱԭ she continued. ӰԭThey were very respectful of your learning and very supportive of your education.Ӱԭ
Angela Mercaldi Ӱԭ25
ӰԭI made time for what matteredӰԭ
Balancing engineering coursework and intercollegiate athletics shaped Mercaldi in meaningful ways. ӰԭBeing a student-athlete helped 100 percent,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭIt pushed me to manage my time, stay disciplined, and work through both mental and physical fatigue. I never saw time as an enemy. I just made time for what mattered.Ӱԭ
That mindset carried her through personal challenges as well. She arrived on campus recovering from a serious knee injury. ӰԭIӰԭve had four knee surgeries, and IӰԭm going on my fifth,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭFreshman year was not my happiest. I made it through, and now IӰԭm proud to say IӰԭm happy, I have a full-time job, and I was captain of the track team.Ӱԭ
She credits head coach for helping her stay motivated. ӰԭShe always recognized when people were putting in the work,Ӱԭ Mercaldi said. ӰԭShe became a mentor and a friend, and she even asked me to help recruit other female engineers into athletics.Ӱԭ
Faculty support also made a signficant impact. ӰԭIsmail Orabi, Ph.D., my capstone professor, always had faith in me,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭHe, along with my capstone partners, made me feel like I could be a standout student. They helped shape my journey. I wouldnӰԭt have made it without them.Ӱԭ
ӰԭDonӰԭt count yourself outӰԭ
Mercaldi started her full-time role with Pratt & Whitney in June. After a summer of intense training, sheӰԭll begin work as a coating manufacturing engineer within the companyӰԭs Manufacturing Engineer Development Program.
ӰԭIt still feels surreal,Ӱԭ she admitted. ӰԭImposter syndrome definitely kicks in. But I know IӰԭve worked hard to get here.Ӱԭ
SheӰԭs most excited about building a community within her career. ӰԭI already know many of the other full-time employees from my internships,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭIӰԭm looking forward to seeing how far we can go together.Ӱԭ
As for the future? Mercaldi hopes to pay forward the mentorship sheӰԭs received. ӰԭOne day, I want to be the one helping someone just starting out, telling them about my journey and guiding them through theirs.
ӰԭThe best thing IӰԭve learned is, ӰԭDonӰԭt count yourself out,ӰԭӰԭ she continued. ӰԭWeӰԭre our own biggest critics, but when you take a step back, you realize how far youӰԭve come.Ӱԭ