Adam Ferrarotti

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

“A bit like Goofy but with more training in Lean Six Sigma.”

Fun fact about yourself:  I am the middle of three Ferrarotti brothers, and the resemblance between us is pretty eerie. We look alike, act somewhat alike, and all ended up pursuing some flavor of engineering.

Hometown: New Hartford, CT

High School:  Northwestern Regional High School

Major:

M.S. Operations and Supply Chain Analytics

B.S. Operations and Industrial Engineering

Minor:

Data Science

Favorite Business Course:  Negotiations – This course was simulation-based, where we did weekly live negotiations with a partner or small group. These simulations covered several real-world situations, like negotiating for a job or a supplier contract. I loved negotiations because it posed a unique challenge unlike any other course at WPI. It also showed me how rewarding it is to untangle tough human interactions, which pushed me towards starting my career as a consultant.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Extracurriculars: Beta Theta Pi fraternity (Education Chairman), sketch comedy, theater, and musicals, climbing club, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)

Honors: Beta Gamma Sigma, Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Engineering Honor Society, Alpha Psi Omega Theater Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Deans List

Where have you interned during your college career? The summer before Junior Year, I participated in a Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) under the data science department at WPI, acting as an undergraduate researcher. The summer before Senior Year, I was a Supply Chain Intern at Tokyo Electron in North Chelmsford, MA.

Where will you be working after graduation? After graduation I will be working as an Analyst at Goldratt Group, a consulting firm specializing in applying the Theory of Constraints (TOC).

Who is your favorite business professor? My favorite business professor is Professor Andrew Trapp. He has been an advisor and mentor to me several times throughout my WPI career and has helped me grow as an industrial engineer. I first met Professor Trapp in a scripting course, which on a basic level taught me to code, something I once thought was beyond me. However, it also taught me how to pick up new tools and approach problems in ways I would not have otherwise considered. Since then, researching under and working with Professor Trapp has shown me that an industrial engineering mindset truly is broadly applicable.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? My advice is to mix business with another discipline. For me, this has been business and engineering. Combining the two has given me a richer understanding of both and a clear direction for my career. Ultimately, I think what you chose to mix business with comes down to what you are passionate about. To a new student, I would therefore say maybe go for that minor you are thinking about or do what you can to broaden your exposure.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? The biggest surprise has been how many common themes exist across completely different problems. You study a lot of case studies as a business student, many of which initially feel unrelated to what you plan to do for work. However, there was a point in my first internship where something clicked and I remembered a handful of case studies that had direct applications to my project. They all involved companies in completely different industries solving completely different problems. Nevertheless, their underlying themes and the questions they asked helped lead me towards a relevant solution.

What business leader do you admire most? I have a lot of admiration for Reggie Fils-Aimé, the former President/COO of Nintendo of America. For one, Reggie built a successful career for himself from humble upbringings. He also always came across as a genuinely good person. However, I most admire his ability to connect with customers and understand what drives their value. The video game industry is insanely volatile, with constant releases and broad audiences. Reggie helped Nintendo navigate this volatility and made people love Nintendo again. Though he retired a few years ago, Nintendo fans still look fondly back on the “Reggie Era.”

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? One of my proudest personal achievements was when I climbed my first V5 boulder route at the climbing gym earlier this year. Bouldering routes range in difficulty from V0’s for absolute beginners to V17’s which push the bounds of human ability. A V5 is therefore nothing earthshattering, but as a beginner it felt somewhat like an unreachable plateau. Finally climbing one was therefore extremely satisfying. The fact I did it almost exactly a year after starting to climb also reinforced to me how much you can progress as an athlete by putting in the time.

Which classmate do you most admire? Gus Teran, my Great-Grand Big in Beta Theta Pi. He is brilliant, embodies the values that I aspire to live my life by, and is dedicated to making himself the best person he can be. However, Gus is also incredibly humble and goofy, and the type of guy who lifts others up around him. He left a lasting impression on me from our time together at WPI, and I am sure he will leave one wherever he goes as well.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would most want to thank my dad. He has shown me that putting in the effort pays off, but also that it is ok to change directions. My dad started his career as an engineer but felt something was missing, so he changed paths to follow his passion. He now teaches as a physician’s assistant professor, bringing a unique perspective with his engineering background. Having him as an example drove me to find a career that satisfies my engineering brain and my desire to work with people. He is why I walked the path of an engineering and business student, and why I found a career I am excited about.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? My first goal is to travel for work in at least 25 states. This is ambitious, but I believe it is possible. We live in an incredible country with a lot of incredible people across the 50 states. That is why the US economy is as strong as it is. However, nowadays there seem to be rifts within our country. I want to learn from and work with as many people as possible in as many places as possible to grow myself, develop the economy, and most importantly, help close the divides.

My second goal is to eventually teach, maybe a few decades down the road. I have taught a few times before, as a Scout Camp counselor, the Education Chairman in my fraternity, and tutoring friends at college. All of it has been incredibly rewarding. I hope to build a successful career, make an impact in industry, and grow as a leader. Once I have done that, I want to help guide the next generation who will follow in my footsteps.

What are your hobbies? My two main hobbies are bouldering and climbing. I also dabble in acting, musical theater, alto saxophone, guitar, and disc golf.

What made Adam such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2023?

“Adam Ferrarotti is truly a standout student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. With a nearly perfect GPA in his BS in Industrial Engineering and MS in Operations and Supply Chain Analytics coursework, he consistently demonstrates his distinctive intellect. While his academic achievements are impressive, it is Adam’s character that truly sets him apart. He exhibits thought leadership in the classroom with his inquisitive nature and genuine engagement, and consistently goes above and beyond to assist those around him. This combination of intelligence, dedication, and kindness make Adam a model citizen. Did I mention that he is an Eagle Scout? I am sure Adam will continue to make a positive impact in all that he does.”

Andrew Trapp
Associate Professor of Operations and Industrial Engineering

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