Engineering In and Out of the Classroom

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    Purdue’s engineering community is like no other and there are so many opportunities for students to become the best engineer they can be while pursuing what they are passionate about. Engineering is about so much more than just the material taught in class and to celebrate National Engineers Week, here are a few examples of how students showcase their engineering skills in and outside of the classroom! 

My first year engineering team with our Mars Rover Prototype, "Rob" (Fall 2019)
 

Student Project Teams:

    One of the largest classifications of student organizations on campus are those that bring students together to work on a design project. These teams and organizations are entirely student run allowing participants to get hands on experience in whatever field interests them. Every group is open to all majors and each has different goals with the Purdue Space Program’s rocket designs and the autonomous robot groups Earth, Mars and Lunar prototypes being just the beginning! Interested in renewable energy or automotive design, check out Purdue Solar or Electric Racing to design a car from the ground up or participate in one of the largest college racing events by joining a Purdue Grand Prix race crew! Spending time working with the Purdue International Genetically Engineered Machine team, you will gain lab experience while competing in a synthetic biology competition or choose to build your business acumen working as a consultant with a student firm directly addressing real-world company problems! These are just a few of the many groups on campus and one of many ways students gain hands on experience. 
 

Leadership and Outreach:

            Being an engineer involves a lot more than technical skills and no matter what your career path, you will find yourself working in teams and taking on leadership roles. While on campus, engineers from every discipline can join various organizations to develop these skills and make an impact on the overall Purdue engineering community. For example, Engineering Student Council provides opportunities to plan career fairs and events that connect students and engage alumni and the Purdue Student Engineering Foundation is a great way to be an ambassador encouraging perspective students to come to Purdue. Also, one of the great ways to be involved in leadership is through the Women in Engineering Program. With opportunities to be involved as mentors for younger students or event leaders in workshops geared towards students anywhere from kindergarten to high school, you can make a lasting impact and build your own skills along the way. 
 

Bechtel Innovation and Design Center:

            If you have a personal passion or project you want to take to the next step, Bechtel is the place to go! As the maker-space on campus this whole building is devoted to equipment reserved for student use. Laser and waterjet cutters, metalworking and wood based equipment, computers with the most popular CAD platforms in the country and a vast array of 3-D printers are all at students’ fingertips to encourage work on any project they wish. If you are unsure of how to use a machine, it’s easy to learn as there are teaching assistants on site to help students become familiar with the equipment. This amazing space also partners with the BoilerMAKER Space to encourage all students to gain 3-D modeling experience and provides 2 inches-cubed of free 3-D printing credit per week to any student who is interested.  
 

Courses:

            With so many ways to be involved in engineering outside of class, it only complements the things you will accomplish in class. From your very first semester you will have the option to be involved in one of many styles of first year engineering project courses. EPICS is known for each of its teams partnering with a local organization to develop community service solutions, 131 for its focus on excel programming and teambuilding, VIP (vertically integrated projects), focuses on combining research with engineering projects and the 161 Goss Scholars track is known for its full semester robot mechanical and software design project. These classes are what introduces you to Purdue Engineering and it is only fitting that you will also leave with a hands on project within your major. Every discipline has unique senior projects that combines everything students have learned in their 4 years. Working all semester, students say it is one of the most gratifying finales to your time here and emotions are always high the day of the final presentations to family, friends, professors and corporate sponsors. After everything you have done as an engineer, it is one last moment to reflect on how far you’ve come and the skills you’ve gained in the last 4 years. 

With so many things to be involved in, it is only fitting to join in from your first week on campus. You never know what passion you might discover! 

Julianna Hachenski, Industrial Engineering
WELink Leadership Team

Stay Connected With Purdue WIEP!

Facebook: Purdue Women in Engineering

Twitter: @purduewiep 

Instagram: @purduewiep

Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com

Email: welink@purdue.edu

Use the hashtag #PurdueWIEP on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

If you have any questions about any groups on campus or other ways engineers are involved and want to learn more please comment, tag us or follow us! 


 

Purdue Women in Engineering

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