A recipient of the St. Clare scholarship upon entering Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, Elaina Murphy '18 was a curious and engaged student from the outset. She brought to SHA a love of nature and a deep appreciation for the natural environment. Through rigorous STEM courses, she uncovered an additional passion for physics and engineering. She brought these interests together, majoring in mechanical engineering at Northwestern University with minors in environmental science and architectural engineering. Adding minors allowed her to more robustly explore her fields of interest and was only possible thanks to the many AP credits she brought from SHA to Northeastern.
Through multiple co-op experiences and enrichment programs, Elaina more deeply explored ways in which her work can benefit the earth. Specifically, a study abroad opportunity in India focused on climate change and reinforced the immediate value of searching for solutions for decarbonization. After working as an HVAC engineer for several years in Boston, Elaina will be pursuing her Masters Degree in Energy at PSL University in Paris, France, beginning classes this fall.
Elaina’s undergraduate studies, work in industry, co-op, and study abroad experiences led to this exciting next step. However, she credits SHA with preparing her to take it. “The environment of SHA gave me confidence in myself and my knowledge, which helped me get through difficult classes in college. At Sacred Heart I learned to push myself out of my comfort zone--something I definitely needed when embarking on this move abroad.”