The Engineering Experience

Making the decision to come to Purdue wasn’t an easy one for me. I was coming from a very small high school with almost no STEM program and I had no engineering experience. Honestly, I had almost no confidence in my decision to even pursue engineering in general. At times, it felt like a decision I had made on a whim.  Some people might relate to this, and others may not. A substantial number of my fellow engineers that I’ve talked to had at least some experiences that were similar. What I mean to say by this is that whatever you’re feeling, you aren’t alone. Whether it’s doubts regarding where you’re going, what you’re studying, or even if you can handle it, there is a whole community here who understands and has your back. The following picture was taken after the completion of one of the hardest and most frustrating project’s I’ve ever worked on. However, while it was very stressful and tested my limits, I came out of it a much stronger person and engineer, and I am so grateful for

Coming to college for the first time is a new and exciting experience for everyone! From getting involved on campus, getting around campus, and meeting new people, there are many things to learn in the first few weeks. In order to make your transition a little smoother, read up on some “how to’s” from current students.  WE Link volunteers have gotten involved on campus through the Women in Engineering Program! How to Get Involved: Purdue has over 1,000 clubs & activities to be involved in & finding one that fits your interest may feel overwhelming. One general piece of advice I have heard a lot is to try to be involved in three activities: one for fun, one to give back, and one related to your professional aspirations. Being involved on campus can be a lot of fun, but don’t forget to take your own academic needs into account. Some people may find that being involved in more or less activities is personally beneficial to them. A great way to navigate all of Purdue’s extracurricu

As engineers, we have the innate need to add to and make better . Cars, rockets, WiFi, irrigation systems, pharmaceuticals, prosthetics -- any field you name, we have likely left our footprints. However with today’s increased threat of global warming rising  to 1.5C-2C above pre-industrial temperatures, it is more crucial than ever, the actions we take as engineers are mindful of our rapidly changing world. Members of the Sustainability Council at a Composting Event Now, that’s some hefty information to understand. So let’s start at the beginning, where can you find people at Purdue with these interests? Air and Waste Management Association (PAWMA) This professional organization hosts a variety of activities catering towards learning about different environmental causes such as water quality, remediation, and management methods. American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers Are you an Agricultural or Biological Engineer? This is the place for you! This scientific org

At a volunteer night, current students were asked to list what words came to mind when provided with the following topics. "Word Art" or "Word Clouds" are a fun way we would like to use to be able to share their responses and give you a peek into the engineering experience here at Purdue! Campus Activities Students often enjoy watching the various Purdue sports teams represent our school in the Big 10.  Students also enjoy other aspects of Purdue's campus such as the ChillZone, with Adirondack chairs and fire pits, as well as extracurricular activities such as intramural sports, Greek life, and the 1000+ student organizations and clubs. Additionally, the nearby Chauncey area has many shops and restaurants for students to enjoy! Just College Things Besides the incredible academics on Purdue’s campus, there is so much more to the full Purdue Experience.  From living in the dorms and eating in the dining courts to the Purdue community, our volunteers explain everyt

During the ongoing pandemic, asynchronous lectures have become a huge part of Purdue’s online university experience. My friend once compared asynchronous lectures to a love-hate relationship. The more I think about it, the more I realize how true her statement is. Online university and recorded lectures remove the organized structure of fixed schedules and locations. You can watch lectures at your own convenience, whenever and wherever you want. This can be an advantage, particularly if you are not an early morning person like me. but at the same time, the temptation of procrastination can be too strong. I have to admit that I am somewhat guilty of the latter. However, I learnt from my fall 2020 online experience, took advantage of Purdue’s resources and created a customized, fixed schedule for myself which helped me stay on track with all of my courses and extracurriculars way better compared to Fall 2020.  Shruti and her friends at the Hong Kong Harbor (Photo taken prior to COVID-19

With March being Women's History Month and International Women's Day being this week, I have been reflecting on how grateful I am to have the opportunities I do, especially to study engineering at Purdue. I asked three fellow Purdue engineering students what it means to them to be a woman in engineering. Emma Balevic, Mechanical Engineering '24, posing with Neil Armstrong "I’m lucky to come from a family with both men and women who studied engineering, so I always felt supported as I pursued a major in mechanical engineering. As much as I’ve appreciated the support from my family and friends, I’ve still experienced my own set of struggles. Being a woman in engineering has shown me how to accept the differences in this community and pursue my goals regardless of what’s standing in my way. I’m excited to continuously use my experiences - both good and bad - to mentor young women who are interested in STEM and encourage them to pursue their passions." - Emma Balevic,

Jenn and her friends after the Thankgiving dinner Food is an integral part of our day. For some people, the very first thing they do in the morning is eat breakfast. I personally prefer my cup of coffee to a stack of waffles. Nonetheless, food has the power to pick up a bad mood, enhance a good mood, and even ease the stress you are feeling about exams and homework. The awareness I have of how food impacts my mood is recently found since I started college in August. at home I usually came home to my mom or dad making something delicious in the crockpot. Suddenly I arrive at college and there are so many options that it can get overwhelming at times to figure out what to eat. Navigating the dining options at college did not seem like something I should have been worried about, yet it was something that took a month of experimenting to perfect.  The key is knowing where to go and what is consistent. I decided to help you out and give you some insight into how I view each dining option on