Shivam Vashishtha

Shivam Vashishtha

Student

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Biography

Interests
  • Engineering Design
  • Control Systems
  • Test Engineering
  • PLC Architecture
  • Robotics
  • Power Systems & Grid Modeling
  • Machine Learning & AI
  • Public Policy & Infrastructure
Education
  • B.S. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

    University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

  • Minor in Political Science

    University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Skills

Programming

Python, Java, JS, C++, PowerShell, LaTeX, SQL

Engineering

Siemens (PLC/PSSE), MATLAB, LabVIEW, Verilog, FPGA, Autodesk

Database/Data Analytics

Databricks, Oracle, Tableau, Power BI, Excel

Public Policy & Governance

Legislative Research, Policy Writing,
Public Communication, Civic Advisory

Journalism

Feature Writing, Interviews,
Editorial Research, Community Reporting

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Minnesota Senate
Legislative Intern
Jan 2026 – Present St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Senator Tou Xiong: Chair of State and Local Government Committee. Vice-Chair of Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee
  • Conduct legislative research and policy analysis. Assist with hearing preparation, bill summaries, and synthesis of complex governance and administrative issues
 
 
 
 
 
Xcel Energy
EE & CS Intern
May 2024 – Present Minneapolis, Minnesota
Assisting the Energy Transport and Delivery Modeling – Transmission Team
 
 
 
 
 
BMW Group
Controls Engineer Co-Op
Aug 2024 – Aug 2025 Spartanburg, SC

Responsibilities:

  • Assist the Controls Eng. team within TX-2, the Body Shop department
  • Utilize control systems hardware/software and AI technologies (Standardization, Integration & Development) for assembling the new X-Series and fully electric models
 
 
 
 
 
Cummins
New Technology Engineering Intern
Jun 2023 – Sep 2023 Shoreview, Minnesota

Responsibilities:

  • Research microgrids and other renewable DER’s (and electrical standards for them)
  • Design a tool for company-wide usage which contains codes & standards for Solar, Fuel Cells, Batteries, and Inverters
  • Develop code & API’s, install wiring, and test PLCs for the Engineering team
 
 
 
 
 
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (Professor Jungwon Choi's Lab)
Research Assistant
Jul 2022 – Jul 2023 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Design and implement power conversion circuits to develop efficient power electronics that could be used for wireless power transfer in the industry.
 
 
 
 
 
NewScripters
Founder
Feb 2022 – Jun 2023 Minnesota

Responsibilities:

  • Student-led organization that aims to provide a source for people to read their “Daily Dose of News”
  • We research new topics in the areas of Technology, Science, and Economics
  • Based on our findings, we formulate and draft articles, stories, videos, etc. that help students to get to know the topic in-depth
 
 
 
 
 
Cummins
Engineering Intern
Jun 2022 – Aug 2022 Fridley, Minnesota

Responsibilities:

  • Use several tools including from PTC, Office, and Microsoft to analyze and manipulate data by collecting and organizing it
  • Translate data and create presentations for other BU’s (Business Units) and the Leadership
  • Assist other engineers in regard to issues on the assembly, production, and manufacturing line. E.g., Witness Tests, Fit Checks
  • Analyze customer requests, and providing the different options for producing a GenSet (Generator Set)
  • Provide assistance to the Engineering & Finance departments in determining the feasibility of providing a product to a given specification
 
 
 
 
 
Comet
Flight Test Intern
Jan 2022 – Jun 2022 Remote
Co-creator in the early stages of a start-up, gained valuable insight into the college admissions process, conducted webinars and professional projects in the areas of - Entrepreneurship, Computer Programming, UI/UX Design, and Marketing.
 
 
 
 
 
National Inventors Hall of Fame
Leadership Intern
Jun 2021 – Jul 2022 St.Odilia School, Shoreview, Minnesota

Responsibilites:

  • Develop the understanding of IP concepts and their connection to future economic prosperity by completing the online P.I.L.O.T. Training
  • Lead my group of around 20 students by aiding them in completing their projects through the processes of designing and prototyping

Volunteering & Public Service

 
 
 
 
 
Member, Environmental Quality Committee (EQC)
City of Shoreview
Jan 2026 – Present Shoreview, Minnesota
  • Advise on sustainability and environmental policy priorities for the City.
  • Review initiatives related to conservation, resilience, and community environmental planning.
  • Support public engagement and recommendations to city leadership.
 
 
 
 
 
Writer
Press Publications
Sep 2025 – Present Minnesota
  • Report and write community feature stories and local journalism pieces.
  • Conduct interviews, research, and publish articles for print/digital audiences.
  • Coordinate with editors on story development, revisions, and deadlines.

Awards

Thomas J. Watson Memorial Scholarship
Competitive scholarship recognizing leadership, innovation, and academic achievement.
Presidential Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship awarded for academic excellence and leadership.
Honor Award
More than 50 hours of Community Service within one semester
Silver Medal
Silver Award in the National Spanish Examination
2nd Place
2nd Place (Local Area) in the VFW Essay Competition
Silver Medal
Silver Award in the National Spanish Examination
Runner-Up
Runner-Up in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

Certifications

Google Ads Search Certification
Mastery of the fundamentals of building and customizing effective Google Search campaigns.
See certificate
Tableau Developer
Translate the needs of the business into the software tools, applications, and automated processes that keep organizations lean, smart, and efficient.
See certificate
Knowledge-Based Workforce Competency Credential
NOCTI industry-based assessment is a key indicator that an individual has acquired the critical knowledge sought after by employers. It is earned by individuals meeting or exceeding the criterion-referenced cut score for the NOCTI Web Design industry-based certification.
See certificate