In August 2025, Santiago Carbajal began his sophomore year as a software engineering student contractor at NetApp through Ennovar. Working with NetApp’s Performance and Benchmarking Team, Carbajal actively shapes his future through hands-on experience in this Applied Learning Experience. Carbajal advances in his own future and in future technology, by coding, testing and learning new technologies like machine learning and AI development at NetApp.
As a computer engineering freshman, Carbajal first explored career possibilities in aerospace engineering.
At the National Institute for Aviation Research, from December 2024 to August 2025, Carbajal worked as a quality assurance and engineering student assistant at NIAR’s Research Advanced Machining and Prototyping Laboratory.
At NIAR, he perfected his eye for detail.
Meticulously, he oversaw the entire quality assurance process to meet aerospace 9100 standards. He managed quality control documents such as non-conformance reports, audit reports and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing evaluations to ensure compliance and accuracy.
In non-conformance reports, he assessed what faults did not fulfil industry requirements. In geometric dimensioning and tolerancing evaluations, Carbajal compared engineering drawings and manufactured parts to standard dimension, shape and fit. Unique in aerospace and quality assurance, he practiced thorough examination in these industry reports.
Arriving this fall at NetApp, his passion and experience in automation and testing led him to the Performance and Benchmarking Team.
After starting his workday with team meetings over current benchmarking tests, he continues with his responsibilities. Throughout a shift, he analyzes performance runs reports, automates benchmarking process parts and troubleshoots storage systems issues. By streamlining testing processes with Linux’s Ansible, Carbajal collects benchmarking data to analyze storage system performance.
His work directly contributes to measurable improvements in system efficiency.
“This role has had a big impact on my career direction,” Carbajal said. “My first co-op internship was in aerospace and quality assurance. Working at NetApp has built on that foundation by giving me the chance to focus on software engineering and tech industry.”
At NetApp, Carbajal experienced the software and tech industry’s fast-paced, innovative and ever-changing nature. There he became proficient in industry-level hardware and software, broadening his skillset in industry tools and platforms like Python, Linux software and NetApp storage systems.
“I feel much more confident in coding, teamwork and using industry-standard tools and platforms,” Carbajal said. “These experiences have made me more comfortable navigating the professional workplace and collaborating effectively with others.”
By exploring different engineering disciplines, Carbajal unveiled new aspirations in the software and tech industry. Only in his second year, Carbajal’s education and Applied Learning Experiences have advanced his career and future.
Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.
For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.
Courtesy photo