Computer Engineering Major Adam Mariano Graduates in Top 1%, Heads to Michigan for Masters
Curiosity, an interest in computers and an affinity for problem-solving brought Adam Mariano '26 to New Jersey Institute of Technology, leading them to a major in computer engineering. But they also found space for their lifelong love of music, performing on the viola with the NJIT String Ensemble. Their academic and extracurricular achievements at NJIT recently earned them the Newark College of Engineering Departmental Outstanding Senior Award for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, presented at a ceremony held on April 16, 2026.
Coding was an early interest of Mariano's, a native of Union, New Jersey who attended Union High School, and at NJIT they found opportunities to combine coding with engineering, another top interest.
"For the longest time — ever since I was pretty little — I always wanted to go into some type of engineering," they say. "Getting more familiar with computers through coding in my high school led me to pursue computer engineering, to merge my love for computers and my passion for engineering in general."
Initially, Mariano thought they would follow a more coding-oriented path. But their coursework and conversations with NJIT faculty and students instead guided them toward control systems and robotics, turning their focus toward the controls and automation industries.
"With everything that's happening with artificial intelligence right now, there's a lot of potential for it to grow and for new technologies to emerge and innovations to occur," they say. "That's what excites me the most about robotics."
You never know what might stick
Mariano graduated in the top 1% of NJIT's electrical and computer engineering majors, with a GPA of 4.0. Along the way, they made time to tutor other students in core engineering courses. They also served as president of IEEE–Eta Kappa Nu, the international honor society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and were treasurer of the IEEE Student Branch, supporting organizational growth and student engagement.
Rounding out their experience were internships with LB Electric Company, where they contributed to electrical engineering and learned project management for commercial and residential projects; and TM Technology Partners, where they helped design low-voltage electrical systems.
An important lesson that Mariano learned as an undergraduate was to step outside their comfort zone and to boldly embrace the unfamiliar. Attempting new things can often change your perspective and provide unexpected insights or benefits, they explain.
"If you're not sure if you like research, it might be worth a shot to try it — you never know what might stick," Mariano says. "That lesson changed a lot of things in my mindset, because nothing is really 'comfortable' unless you've gone through it."
After graduation, Mariano is taking on a part-time job as an engineer at DLB Associates, an engineering consulting firm based in Eatontown, where they will be working on electrical and telecom design for buildings and data centers. They will also pursue a Master's degree in control systems engineering at the University of Michigan.
"Hopefully, through both of those things I can gain more experience and push myself forward in whatever comes next," Mariano says. "I hope to get into the robotics industry, either in research or with a company."
Wherever their work and studies take them, music will likely continue to be part of the journey.
"Music is definitely really important in my life," they say. "In college, things can get really stressful. Having some sort of avenue of emotional release in a group setting where we're all coming together to make music is just a really enjoyable experience."