ComEd Scholar Shares How Financial Support and Hands-On Education Boosted his Engineering Career

To encourage and support students to pursue STEM degrees locally, ComEd collaborates with nearby universities on the ComEd Scholars Program. The program is designed to foster the next generation of local innovators by providing scholarships to students to cover education-related expenses not covered by traditional financial aid, along with hands-on mentorships from ComEd engineers and professionals and encouragement to apply for internships at ComEd and its parent company, Exelon.

One example of the program’s success is Eduardo Calix-Ortiz, a recent graduate of Illinois Institute of Technology and current ComEd Testing Commissioning Engineer (TCE) in Chicago. Eduardo immigrated on his own to America at 14, moving in with his aunt and enrolling at Victoria Soto High School. Originally from Honduras, Eduardo currently resides in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood with his wife, three-month-old son, and two-year-old daughter.

“I have always been fascinated with technology and gadgets, watching videos about science in my free time at a young age. My father saved up money to import computer components from the U.S. so that we could build a PC together,” said Eduardo. “At ComEd, I’ve had a chance to tackle real-world challenges utilizing my engineering skillset. The mentorship and support I’ve received throughout the ComEd Scholars Program have been invaluable in helping me grow as an engineer and a professional.”

Eduardo brought his eagerness and love for science to America, getting involved with Chicago Scholars in high school to receive professional guidance while transitioning to American culture. At Illinois Tech, the ComEd Scholars Program incentivized Eduardo to complete an accelerated master’s program, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in computer engineering, specializing in computer hardware and chip architecture. If this resume wasn’t impressive enough, Eduardo also earned a minor in music while playing the cello and teaching music to children at his local church.

In addition to his academic achievements, Eduardo earned and completed two ComEd extended internships, as a transmission and substation equipment standards intern and part of the advanced distribution management system core team. He was also deeply involved on campus, serving as the student president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch, advisor on the finance board, and teacher assistant at Illinois Tech, on top of being named a lead project engineer for the Built Environment Research Group (BERG) Lab. These opportunities allowed him to gain valuable real-world experience that complemented his education.

From academic standout at Illinois Tech to ComEd engineer, Eduardo’s journey is a gleaming example of the power of opportunity, mentorship, and hard work. As a TCE, Eduardo is responsible for testing and validating new equipment and systems to ensure they meet performance and safety standards before being fully integrated into operations.

Since 2019, the ComEd Scholars Program has supported 90 local students from partner institutions such as Illinois Tech, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), DePaul University, Chicago State University (CSU) and DePaul College Prep. Last year alone, ComEd connected nine students to $340,000 in scholarships.

“We are proud to support the ComEd Scholars Program, which not only fills the gap in financial need but also creates a meaningful pathway for students to transition into successful careers,” said Evelyn Rodriguez Estrada, director of corporate community impact at ComEd. “Eduardo’s story is one of many that showcase how ComEd’s programs are helping develop the future leaders of the energy industry, and we couldn’t be more excited about his journey.”

The mentorship program for ComEd Scholars is a critical component of student development, providing structured sessions where students interact directly with industry professionals to further grow their learning. In 2024, this program expanded its reach, benefiting over 50 students from the participating schools, and enabling scholars to contribute ideas on how ComEd can further innovate in clean energy.

“The ComEd Scholars Program has provided students like Eduardo with the support and resources needed to unlock their full potential, and it’s exciting to see them embark on new chapters in the STEM field,” said Lou Cattafesta, incoming dean of engineering at Illinois Tech. “We are grateful to partner with ComEd, as this collaboration empowers students to achieve academic and professional success while contributing to the future of energy innovation.”

Collectively, ComEd educational and workforce development programs impacted over 2,400 local residents in 2024. To learn more about ComEd’s investment in the future of STEM, visit ComEd.com/education.