The Engineering Experience

Here’s how the story goes: I loved school and enjoyed every second I was in the classroom. Higher education was the obvious next step for me! The only problem? I had no idea where I actually wanted to go to college. I knew a career in STEM was part of my vague plan for my future, but what in STEM exactly was the hard part to figure out. There are so many options out there, and finding the perfect fit may be intimidating. In high school, I was good at the “typical engineer” classes, such as math, physics, and technological settings. I thought for a long time that this wasn’t enough justification to pursue engineering as a career. However, one of my teachers at the time prompted me to consider career paths outside the box – particularly how engineering combines my passion for motorsports and my love of innovation. Once I started looking into what an engineer in motorsports does, I realized that I had found a pathway perfect for me.      The most important quality I wanted i...

Research is a great experience to build your skillset and resume during your undergraduate years, and you can get involved right on campus as early as freshman year! I have been involved in a research lab since my sophomore year, and it has helped me acquire new abilities in my area of interest. Not only that, but it has provided me with something that I am deeply involved in and passionate about to place on my resume and discuss during interviews. Research at Purdue is often done through a professor’s lab under the guidance of a professor or graduate student mentor and is typically done for pay or course credits. Getting involved in undergraduate research is a great opportunity, and there are many ways to do it at Purdue! Purdue Office of Undergraduate Research The Purdue Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is a great place to start if you’re interested in research. They host multiple events and seminars; many focused on how to get involved in research or providing a platform for t...

When I first came to Purdue, one of the biggest things I had to figure out, honestly faster than I expected, was how dining worked. Between jumping into engineering classes, meeting new people, and just trying not to get lost walking to class, I quickly realized that figuring out where (and how) I was going to eat every day actually mattered a lot. For students with food allergies or dietary restrictions, this transition can feel even more overwhelming. It takes time to learn which dining courts work best for you, how meal plans function, and what resources are available, and I hope I can make that process easier for you. Firstly, Purdue’s dining system is centered around residential dining courts. These are spots where you use a meal swipe to enter, and then you can eat as much as you’d like while you are there. There are five main dining courts on campus: Earhart, Ford, Hillenbrand, Wiley, and Windsor. Each one has its own vibe, layout, and types of food, so you’ll probably end up fi...

WiE Leadership Team at The Children’s Museum Living at Purdue University in Indianapolis is a one-of-a-kind experience. Our campus is small and close-knit, yet right next to the city. This makes campus life both com fortable and exciting. There is always something happening nearby, whether it is a campus event or a quick trip downtown with friends. Living in the Residence Halls When I first came to college, I was not sure how I would meet people. In my freshman year, I decided to live on campus in North Hall and it ended up being one of the best decisions I made. There are two main on-campus housing options: the traditional residence hall style at North Hall and the apartment style living at Lux on Capitol. At North Hall, students usually share a room with one roommate, while Lux apartments can house up to four roommates. I loved the community at North Hall. Living in the residence halls means that you are surrounded by other first-year students. It makes it much easier to make friend...