Building Your Career at Purdue

By -

Internships, Co-ops, Career Fairs, and More!

Did you know that Purdue is home to the largest student-run career fair in the country? Industrial Roundtable, typically held in September right in the middle of Purdue’s campus, includes over 400+ employers and 15,000+ students every year! So, why should you go? Career fairs like Industrial Roundtable are a great opportunity to network and put your name in for internships, co-ops, or even full-time jobs!

Internships, co-ops, and even research opportunities are a great way to get work experience before graduation and boost your resume. Taking advantage of all the opportunities Purdue has to offer can help you make the most out of your experience in undergrad and gather the tools you need for your next chapter after graduation!


Internships

An internship is usually a 12-week industry experience that happens in the summer, where students can network with professionals, and apply their knowledge from classes to real world problems and projects. I would say summer internships are the most popular industry experience students apply for, but there are plenty of spring and fall internships that companies offer as well! Internships can also be in person or online.




My first internship experience was an online research internship through ThinkNeuro LLC, where my team and I determined genetic differences in the SLC6A4 gene, which affect individual patients’ reactions to antidepressant treatments. This opportunity taught me a new coding language, as well as how to quickly and efficiently read research articles, which are skills critical to succeeding in the fast-paced environment of the chemical industry. Through Industrial Roundtable this year, I was able to secure a spring 2026 co-op and a summer 2026 internship, in the specialty chemicals industry and sustainability industry respectively. My biggest piece of advice is to talk to as many companies as possible, and come prepared with specific projects the company is working on that you are interested in. Not only do you get more comfortable giving an elevator pitch about yourself to recruiters, but you also increase your chance of getting multiple interviews.

Once you get interviews, it’s important to be prepared to answer behavioral and/or technical questions and have a positive attitude. Make sure you can talk about your resume in detail, and use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) method when asked behavioral questions. When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them, ask insightful questions about how interns can stand out, company culture, etc. It’s just as important for you to ensure the company is a right fit for you as much as the company is determining you’re a fit for them.

Regardless of the outcome, going to the career fairs on campus is extremely helpful in both improving your confidence as an engineering student, as well as taking meaningful steps towards your future.

Co-ops

A co-op is typically a multi-term or rotational experience. Co-op terms may take place during the academic year, and rotations can often be completed consecutively, or in a “semester on, semester off” schedule, where the student alternates semesters between school and working. Because co-ops can be longer-term, co-op students often get to work more in-depth on their projects and may have the opportunity to rotate projects/departments and explore more opportunities within the company.




Over the spring and summer, I completed two rotations as a Development Engineering Co-op at Zimmer Biomet, an orthopedics company located in Warsaw, Indiana. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work in two different departments and collaborate with co-workers in different disciplines such as research, quality, and manufacturing. I assisted with projects in my department, such as tasks in technical writing, industry research, and instrument and implant design. I got hands-on experience in labs and design work and even sat in on calls with surgeons for custom implant designs. One of the biggest benefits was the opportunity to either stick with a project for a longer period or branch out and try something new within the companies. We also had weekly co-op seminars, where we heard from different parts of the business (like quality, manufacturing, regulatory) as well as different departments (like hips, knees, upper extremities, etc.). We also completed a design project with a team of co-op students, giving us a chance to work on needs finding, brainstorming and design, and documentation for a real need in the company.

Completing two co-op rotations not only gave me seven months of work experience; it also introduced me to so many amazing people. I made so many new connections, both with the full-time engineers that guided me along the way and my fellow co-ops. Working in two departments, I met so many great people with many different backgrounds, giving me the opportunity to hear from multiple perspectives and get advice for my future schooling and career. Overall, I’m grateful for all of the opportunities I gained from my co-op experience!

I Know All About Internships and Co-ops. So How Do I Get One?

There are so many ways to get a co-op or internship! One great place to start is attending career fairs, like Industrial Roundtable (held in the fall) or Expo (held in the spring). Many engineering disciplines also hold their own career fairs! Clubs and organizations on campus may also hold events with potential employers. The Women in Engineering Program often holds Access Alum events, where an alumnus of Purdue Engineering returns to tell their story, answer questions, and sometimes even accept resumes. The biggest key to getting these opportunities is making connections and building your network. You never know who may have an opening or know someone who can give you a chance. Show people how amazing you are and get your name out there!

Developing a resume that will help you stand out and shows off your skills and experiences boosts your chances of being chosen for these roles. The Purdue Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) has lots of resources for resumes, including examples, power verbs, and general advice!

Finally, don’t limit yourself to industry opportunities! There are so many research experiences to pursue both during the year and over the summer, like the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). Participating in research either at Purdue or even at other universities provides invaluable research experience and boosts a resume, whether your intention is to go into research or industry.

All in all, Purdue has so many amazing opportunities for building the career that you want! The only thing that you need to do is go out there and take advantage of them!


Gabi Layman, BME '26

Saanvi Mahesh ChE '28

Recruitment Project Committee

 

Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program! 

Facebook: Purdue Women in Engineering 

Instagram: @purdue.wie 

Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com 

Email: welink@purdue.edu 

YouTube: Purdue Women in Engineering Program - YouTube 


Purdue Women in Engineering

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Purdue Housing

By -
Image
One of the many concerns incoming freshmen have is what to do regarding their housing options. In addition to the roommate selection process, you may be interested in seeing your on-campus options in terms of amenities and the communities available within the building. For example, when I accepted my admission to Purdue as a freshman, I knew I was interested in a standard double that I had experienced at a summer college program. To ensure my University Residences housing, I applied to Vertically Integrated Projects so that I would be able to pursue a research project as a freshman while also guaranteeing my housing within Earhart Hall through the connected learning community. For more information on learning communities, read our previous blog! Many freshmen will live in a residence hall, even if they are not in a specific learning community. Now, as a Resident Assistant or RA in Earhart Hall, I have been trained on the term “residence hall”; our halls go beyond a traditional “dormito...
Read more

My Admissions Process: Deferred, Waitlisted, Admitted

By -
Image
May 1st of my senior year, I wasn’t wearing a Purdue shirt. Instead, I was representing another Big 10 school because I wasn’t committed—or even admitted—to Purdue. That morning, I was doing a last-minute review for my AP Chemistry exam when I decided to scroll through my phone. Given that it was Decision Day and Purdue was my dream school, I checked my admissions portal one last time to reread my waitlist decision letter. But this time, there was an update: I had been admitted to Purdue’s First-Year Engineering program after being deferred and then waitlisted. I was ecstatic! Later that day, after finishing my AP Chemistry exam, I officially committed to Purdue. The first time I toured Purdue, it was a cold and rainy day in West Lafayette, and to be honest, I didn’t love it. At the time, I had considered studying engineering but wasn’t entirely sure. In the spring of my junior year, my mom found an event hosted by Purdue’s Women in Engineering Program called "Exploring Engineerin...
Read more

I've Applied to Purdue, Now What?

By -
Image
The Early Action deadline for Purdue University was November 1st. This was also the priority deadline to be considered for First Year Engineering at the West Lafayette location as well as many engineering disciplines in Indianapolis. This was also the deadline to be considered for Purdue’s full range of scholarships and the John Martinson Honors College. If you haven’t applied to Purdue yet, don’t worry! The regular decision application deadline is January 15th. If you have applied and are looking into any of these opportunities, congratulations! Here are some next steps you can take as you wait for decisions on January 15th. Take a Break and Enjoy your Senior Year It is so important to give yourself grace once you submit your college applications! It is a long process, and now is a great chance to hang out with your hometown friends and make senior year memories before going off to college. Use this time to prioritize your friends and family while maintaining your grades. Studying is...
Read more