Southwest Research Institute Works with NVC to Expand Career Opportunities

For as long as he can remember, Adam Hamilton, president and CEO of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI®), has loved discovering how things work. Hamilton’s affinity for engineering and science, along with his desire to become a pilot, set him on a path to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering.

In 2014, his career brought him from Austin, back to San Antonio and SwRI, one of the largest independent, nonprofit, multi-disciplinary applied research organizations in the country. On any given day, SwRI might have more than 4,000 active projects that include developing new pharmaceuticals, testing engines and vehicle powertrains, developing robotic systems, building spacecraft and satellites, creating AI tools and applications, developing new vaccines, and much more.

“We are solving some of humankind’s most difficult technical challenges in most fields of engineering and science,” said Hamilton. “Today, I am most excited about our involvement in developing artificial blood. This is a technology that has the amazing potential to save lives.”

SwRI offers nearly limitless career opportunities tailored to diverse interests. Through its long-standing partnership with Northwest Vista College, it helps students and graduates thrive at this premier R&D organization. “It is exciting to see NVC and SwRI working together to prepare students for outstanding careers in San Antonio,” he said. In appreciation of his continued support, Hamilton will receive an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cloud Computing degree during NVC’s Spring Commencement ceremony in May.

Southwest Research Institute offers an internship program, which Hamilton recommends to qualified candidates who would like to learn more about the company. In addition, NVC students can gain valuable information through career fairs, guided tours of the SwRI campus, and virtual presentations covering a range of employment-related topics and the multitude of career paths available. Southwest Research Institute currently employs 36 Northwest Vista College graduates, and 12 of its staff members are enrolled in courses at NVC.

“Northwest Vista College provides SwRI with the opportunity to identify students who would like to build a career in San Antonio while helping SwRI continue to grow and provide outstanding solutions for our clients,” said Hamilton. “As you might expect, we need engineers and scientists, but we also need technicians, administrative professionals, and trades professionals to make this organization work. And SwRI is a great place to work!”