Amethyst O'Connell

Hi, I'm Amethyst O'Connell, I am currently an Electrical Designer at Michaud Cooley Erickson. They made a great choice! I'm a former volunteer writer for the Twin Cities Geek. My essay was Third Place in the Midwest Climate Summit's 2021 Climate Stories contest. I can bridge the gap between the arts and engineering, I can do so with flair. I am also highly passionate about finding solutions to the climate crisis, and have a unique knowledge base in that area, having unusual expertise for an undergraduate in sustainable transportation, renewable grids, and community solar.

Current status: Electrical Designer at Michaud Cooley Erickson,

Skilled with Technology
Packed with all the office essentials, has a projector ever glitched out during a presentation? Amethyst can fix it. Being formally trained at Nine North's TV Studio in Studio Technology, Amethyst has a sophisticated understanding of AV technology which can save any engineering presentation.
Technical Skills
Amethyst can use a wide variety of engineering technologies such as Altium Designer, Bentley Promis-e, Autodesk Inventor, and more!
Understands Business
Understands the engineering business, from patents to profits. Knows the role that engineers play in a larger business strategy.

Talented Writer
Do you need technical writing? Documentation? Presentations? Do you need someone outside of the engineering space to understand what engineers do? Amethyst can do that.
Climate Forward
Understands climate change, and emerging technologies in the sustainability field.
Is available to hire right now!
Has part time availablity during the school year, and will have full time availability starting upon graduation in December 2023, and is quick to onboard.

Why choose me?

Amethyst was a great team member that really aided our project in several ways. Her attention to detail allowed us to fully understand the challenge and solution, and her hard work was evident in our final results. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to do electric vehicle research or production.
Nathan Butler

Loram Maintenance of Way Internship
- Presented design changes to engineering leadership through a design review process
- Used Autodesk Inventor and Vault alongside Promis-e to represent electrical components and their placement on a train
University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
- Referenced schematics in Altium to assemble and solder boards
- Worked on assembling the fiberglass and Nomex body of the solar car
- Developed relationships between companies and the project
Saint Paul College Student Senate
- Scheduled and planned meetings, created an inviting space for constituents
- Represented the student body in college committees, communicated student needs
- Sent professional emails and professional documents to administrators, students, and faculty
- Created and fostered growth in the Saint Paul College Robotics Team
NASA NCAS and L'Space
- Took a 5-week online course from NASA scientists culminating in a detailed plan for a Mars Rover
- Selected from over 1,000 applicants to attend a 1-week experience at the Johnson Space Center
- Paired with a virtual team, created a mission concept document in the style of NASA’s official documents
- Working with a virtual team, creating a NASA proposal, and competed for $10,000 of funding. Was fourth overall and was the proposal reviewer who selected the winning proposal. Currently working with proposal winners to realize project.

Amethyst at NASA Houston — NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar and L'SPACE Alumni

Amethyst standing in front of Solar Car Eos 2 — Electrical and Operations member Solar Vehicle Project

Amethyst dressed as a FireBear — Former FIRST Robotics Marketing Captain

A Plant Robot, a robot that takes care of a plant — Builds Plant Robots, robots to care for plants

Amethyst in a Loram Hardhat and safety googles — Intern at Loram Maintenance of Way

The 2018 Student Senate of Saint Paul College — Former Student Senate President Saint Paul College

Printed Circuit Board in Altium Designer — Proficient in Altium Designer

The members of Free Code Camp Twin Cities sitting around a table learning about Front End Web Development — Involved in Free Code Camp Twin Cities

Amethyst O’Connell of Saint Paul College has been selected to travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center this winter to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) onsite experience.
Saint Paul College Student Selected to Visit NASA this February, Saint Paul College
Roseville resident Amethyst O’Connell is part of a University of Minnesota team of students working to send a solar-powered vehicle to race in Australia this fall.
Roseville resident part of student team sending solar vehicle to Australia, Roseville Review
Amethyst O’Connell — a 2016 Roseville Area High School graduate and former member of the FireBears First Robotics Competition Team — is part of a U of M team working to send a solar-powered vehicle to race in Australia this fall.
RAHS FireBears FIRST Robotics Graduate Part of Team Competing in Australia, ISD623

I am so thrilled, so proud, but certainly not at all surprised to announce that 24 student leaders were elected and appointed to represent their peers at the statewide level. Congratulations, and thank you for your willingness to serve the students of Minnesota!
Committees and Appointments and Opportunities, Oh My!, LeadMN
Congratulations to Hamdi Ahmed, Amethyst O’Connell and Celina Tragesser, recipients of the 2018 President’s Scholarship, one of Saint Paul College’s highest academic honors. The scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding student leaders who are graduating and transferring to a four-year college or university.
President’s Scholarship Recipients, Saint Paul College Magazine
I was so jealous of my peers that I didn’t realize what a wonderful pig I had until it was too late. It’s quite ironic that Wilbur was named for the pig in Charlotte’s Web, a pig trying so hard to not be eaten, only to realize the value in who they are inside. We have one life to live, so why not be a pig in the suburbs? Embrace your differences, and cherish every opportunity life gives you.
A Pig in the Suburbs: How I Found My Normal, Pearson Education