Hands-on work experience
In addition to providing an accelerated math curriculum, STEM Core connects students with paid work opportunities in the field. Last summer, after his first year in the program, Elaridi interned at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, where he worked on what is projected to be the world’s brightest x-ray laser, LCLS-II.
“I hadn’t applied myself to an engineering professional workforce before, and this experience reassured me that it’s the kind of work that I want to do,” said Elaridi, who envisions pursuing a PhD in quantum engineering.
He also participated in an aerospace engineering internship at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where he helped engineer a long-term air revitalization system and mock-up Mars rover.
On his own, Elaridi recently started a local organization called Engikidz, offering robotics classes to kids age 5 to 18 in the Bay Area. “I really wanted to help kids in other countries with much fewer resources, so with half of the proceeds that I earned from Engikidz, I decided to donate robotics kits to students somewhere else in the world,” he said. “I have friends in Lebanon who teach robotics through nonprofits as well, so I ended up sending kits back for students who wouldn’t have had access otherwise.”
He’ll never forget the moment he found out he was accepted to Stanford. “My brother is someone who’s just lucky in whatever he does, so when it was time to check to see if I got in or not, I asked him to click the button,” Elaridi remembered. “Suddenly there was confetti coming down the screen—it was amazing. I couldn’t believe it.”
Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, who taught Elaridi’s introductory engineering course at Ohlone, recalled his strong work ethic and exceptional focus, adding that he’s already outdone her expectations. “He was always a great leader—a team player and a mentor to other engineering students,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what he does at Stanford.”