The Engineering Experience

The decision of pursuing a college degree abroad can be tough. In an attempt to make the best choice for myself, I had initially planned to create a pros and cons list which would provide general information about transitioning to life abroad. What I later noticed, however, is that a list could never encompass all the adventures and obstacles one could possibly encounter! Hence, why I made the decision of writing about what has been to me, the biggest challenge of moving abroad. Exactly a year ago I committed to Purdue University to study Chemical Engineering. My greatest fear as I stepped onto the plane was the reality check that, from now on, I could possibly experience the constant feeling of intimidation, as I was an international woman going into a field predominantly studied by men. Choosing to commit to Purdue University was a leap of faith that I took into hoping that it would be as diverse and as inclusive as it promised me to be, and I do not regret doing so! While I...

Samples from Brittany's research with phosphorus isotope extraction methods When making the decision about which college to attend, it is always important to consider your end goal. To define this goal, it can be helpful to envision yourself in five to ten years. Where are you working? Are you in research or industry? Did you go to graduate, law, or medical school? What is your dream job? Once you have defined your goal, think about how to get there. Or, if you can’t clearly see what you want to be doing in the future, think about how to discover your true passions and goals. Personally, when I tried to think about my goal after college as a freshman, I was conflicted. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with my degree, as I didn’t have experience in industry or research. I panicked everytime someone asked me what my future plans were, but then I realized that it was perfectly normal to not have everything figured out. That’s why we go to college, and a university l...

Purdue, as you have likely discovered through visits, research, or other resources, is a large university. With over 40,000 students on campus, there are just that many more opportunities presented to students, allowing you to personalize your experience and make Purdue your customized piece of home. The professors and administrators at Purdue want to help you make your time here the best it can be, encouraging and supporting you so that you can make the difference and secure the future you want. They want to get to know you, to help and advise you while you are embarking on your journey at Purdue, but you have to take the first step into building a connection with them. These relationships that you will develop with professors are essential, as they may one day get you a scholarship, a job, or admittance to another program in the future. To help you form these ever-so-important relationships and connections with your professors when in college, here are a few tips! Fir...