Hard work, sacrifice and family—those priorities have shaped Tony Aguilar’s life.
Growing up in Chicago as the son of Mexican immigrant parents, Aguilar in 2019 earned his Bachelor of Science in industrial management with an emphasis in manufacturing. These days, he’s a process engineer at Molex in Naperville.
Along the way, he’s launched an apparel business and written a book, “La Risa del Guerrero: Wisdom and Humor for Life“, which grew out of the stories and lessons his father shared throughout his childhood.
Another pivotal period was his experience at NIU as an engineering student. Here he was “surrounded by people who wanted to see students succeed,” he recalled in a recent NIU Alumni Association feature. “NIU gave me exposure to perspectives and opportunities that helped shape how I view leadership, problem-solving and community today.”
Many professors fostered Aguilar’s critical thinking skills, with Mechanical Engineering Professor Nick Pohlman standing out for his role in nurturing Aguilar’s development in the Research Rookies program.
In the story, Aguilar imparts some wisdom of his own, including:
“I would encourage my younger self to take more calculated risks, build more connections and understand that opportunities often come from simply taking action.”
“Growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Success rarely comes from having all the answers; it comes from being willing to learn, adapt and keep moving forward.”
“The people you meet, the conversations you have, and the opportunities you pursue often become just as valuable as what you learn in the classroom.”
“Engineering teaches you to stay calm under pressure and trust the process.”
Congratulations to this Huskie engineering grad who’s committed to making an impact in a variety of ways.
To learn more about his journey, read Tony Aguilar, ’19, Honors His Roots While Forging His Own Future As Engineer, Author.
