Nicholas Caravello

Nicholas Caravello is an online industrial management and technology graduate student from Carol Stream, IL

Hometown: Carol Stream, IL

High School: Bartlett High School

Year: Expected graduation: 2026

Transfer from: Elgin Community College

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
I chose to attend NIU due to the cost effectiveness as well as the proximity to where I live: far enough away to get the college experience, while still close enough for convenience.

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I am attending grad school primarily through the assistance of scholarships from the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), a professional organization focused on the advancement of safety that supports occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals in their efforts to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. ASSP provides many ways for individuals to continue learning in the name of safety!

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
While growing up I loved math and science classes. From there I remember hearing the term engineering from my friends’ parents, as well as in pop culture when referring to someone who is smart. That led me to pursue an associate of engineering sciences from my community college prior to transferring to NIU. I came in as an undecided engineering major for my orientation. That day I talked over available options in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, which was my turning point for discovering the world of environmental health and safety (EHS). While not exactly what I thought I was going to do while growing up, it is a very fulfilling career choice.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I completed an undergraduate degree in industrial management with an emphasis in environmental health and safety. I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree in industrial management and technology. As mentioned, I came into this field through discussion with an advisor on orientation day. I originally gravitated toward it because it sounded like it focused on helping the environment. While that is a path it can follow, there are usually distinctions in environmental responsibilities and health and safety responsibilities in my professional experience.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
This past semester I embarked on an independent study focused primarily on heat stress and heat strain. These topics are rapidly emerging in the EHS world as environmental conditions worsen and workers are exposed to increasingly dangerous conditions. My independent study and research were guided by Dr. William Mills, an associate professor for the engineering technology department. My independent study gave me the opportunity to go to a conference in Columbus, Ohio, where I presented a poster pertaining to a new voluntary heat-stress standard for the construction and demolition industry.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
My research/independent study helped strengthen my critical reasoning skills and my technical EHS abilities as a whole through rigorous research and coursework.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
My experience is already helping me! I have been able to take what I have learned to help create/revise our North American Heat Stress Program at work. New information is always becoming available, so annual revisions help ensure the best possible protection of our workers. I think these experiences will only continue to help me in future endeavors in my professional career.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
Dr. William Mills has been indispensable to my research and independent study as he advised me on many areas throughout my time working on this specific project.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
Don't be afraid to make the leap into doing a research project. It is a daunting task when looking at it as a whole, but setting realistic milestones for yourself can help you achieve amazing things!

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
One of the many things I loved at NIU was the variety of clubs available to students. The diverse selection allows students to explore their interests and make connections. This was very true for me as a transfer student who came in during a spring semester. I found and fell in love with the NIU Anime Association, which offered a safe space to explore my interests and make amazing friends.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
My major has very specific classes and small class sizes, which leads to really getting to know my fellow students and make amazing connections throughout my time spent learning. Meeting new people through clubs is also a surefire way to meet new people with similar interests.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am active in the NIU Anime Association. I spent a year as president of the club and now offer assistance through guidance and mentorship for e-board members. I have been active in this guidance role for the past two to three years. This has enriched my Huskie experience as it has allowed me to help the club I grew to love flourish and continue to grow.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The NIU writing center has helped me revise many papers during the creation and revision processes. It allows you to get a second opinion on the flow and substance of your paper, along with the grammar review.

Are there transfer-specific resources, offices or services that you use to help you succeed at NIU?
Upon transferring to NIU, I took advantage of the transfer housing option to dorm with individuals with a shared experience! I transferred in January of 2020, so sadly my dorm experience was cut short.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite instructors has been Dr. Theodore Hogan. Dr. Hogan provided amazing insight as someone who spent time in the industry while creating a safe space for students to work through problems without the fear of failure. I had Dr. Hogan for multiple courses and recently had him for a graduate course dealing with chemical hazards in industries. That course was very interesting and beneficial to my current job, which deals heavily with chemical processes.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Yes! I believe attending classes regularly is a necessity if you want to do well. Missing classes can set you back on material that may not be covered a second time.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus was the East Lagoon. I love the outdoors and enjoyed setting my hammock up around the lagoon to relax or work on projects/assignments.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Look into what the school has to offer beforehand! I personally made sure the school had clubs I was interested in, but each person is different, so make sure you have an idea of what you want.

Why is a college education important to you?
For me, it felt like something that was needed to get a decent job. Growing up I saw my father destroy his body due to a very physical job that his body could not keep up with. My father had a degree but decided he did not want to use it. I think that played a large role in my determination to succeed in school.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I have to schedule things on a calendar to keep everything in line. Without doing that, I find myself too busy and missing key points that were important.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I keep up to date by reading emails sent out from official NIU sources like the Northern Star.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I relax and recharge by playing video games, watching anime, or hanging out with my friends or my lovely girlfriend.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I currently work at UL Solutions as an environmental health and safety specialist. I have many different responsibilities but usually find myself auditing/updating our safety data sheets inventory, providing training/assistance to individuals and dealing with incident investigations as the need arises.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
It has been an amazing journey so far, and I'm excited to see where it takes me!