Art Meets Engineering: Olivia Baehl

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Each year, Purdue Women in Engineering mails out hundreds of handwritten, personalized postcards along with an information handout and a sticker to each woman who has been admitted to Purdue Engineering. The designer of the current sticker is student Olivia Baehl. Olivia Baehl is a senior in Civil Engineering with concentrations in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering from Evansville, IN. She is an ambassador for the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering as well as an active participant in the Women in Engineering Program. I sat down with Olivia and reflected with her on her experiences at Purdue.

Olivia Baehl (CE '25) and the sticker she designed.


Why did you choose Purdue?

 “I grew up a Boilermaker, but that's not why I chose Purdue. I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue engineering and the variety of engineering disciplines that Purdue offers is what initially drew me in. I knew that I’d be able to find exactly what I wanted to choose as a career. Additionally, I loved the campus. I knew it was a place I wanted to call home for four years.”

What drew you to civil engineering specifically?

“I’ve always been interested in civil engineering. My dad is an electrical engineer, so growing up I remember him telling me about different types of engineering on the drive to elementary school. I’ve always been fascinated with buildings and how they can stand for hundreds of years and withstand forceful acts of nature. I also loved Legos, so civil was a perfect fit. Additionally, at Purdue specifically, I love how broad the major is. It gives me the freedom to pursue exactly what I enjoy and sets me up for success.”

 


Can you tell me about your internship experiences?

“I’ve had three internships. Summer after my first year I worked for Boldt Construction as a field engineer intern. I worked on site of a new hospital build in Crystal Lake Illinois. My sophomore and junior year summers I worked the same internship. I worked for Salas O’Brien as a structural engineer intern at the Evansville, IN office, where I assisted on structural design, analysis, modeling, and consulting.”


Through your education at Purdue and your professional experiences, how have you been able to incorporate your creative side with your learned technical knowledge?

“Purdue allows me many opportunities to combine my creative and technical skills. In structural engineering, my creative side allows me to find innovative solutions to problems while ensuring they are possible. Additionally, having experience with graphic design software has surprisingly helped me easily learn software like Revit and AutoCAD. While not everyone has a creative side, I use mine as a strength in everything from design, to presentations, to consulting.”


Tell me about the sticker you designed.

“The sticker I designed features the engineering fountain, a staple of Purdue engineering. I handwrote all the text on the sticker. My favorite part is the border, which features many positive and empowering words to remember as you go through your engineering degree. Words like smart, capable, determined, and worthy are there to help fight the imposter syndrome one might face as a woman in engineering.”


What’s it like seeing your sticker around campus?

“It’s so fun to see my sticker around campus. Anytime I see one on someone's water bottle or computer it brings a smile to my face knowing they liked it enough to display it.”

 


How have your involvements on campus shaped your Purdue experience?

“My involvements on campus have set me up for success in the future. Being a Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering Student Ambassador not only provided me with the opportunity to grow and strengthen my leadership and public speaking skills. Additionally, it allows me the opportunity to network with alumni and know just how many amazing opportunities the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering offers. The Women in Engineering Program has provided me with tools to grow in my industry, my confidence, myself outside of engineering, and my community.”

 

What advice do you have for high school students considering pursuing a Purdue Engineering degree?

“For anyone considering pursuing a Purdue Engineering degree, I would say trust your gut and take a leap. This time in your life can be scary having to decide where you want to spend the next four years. I know I was nervous about moving to a big school, but Purdue has provided me with so many opportunities and so much surety that I am doing what I love. Trust your gut, trust yourself, and take every opportunity you can. You’ll never regret trying something, but you may regret letting your fear or doubts prevent you from taking a risk.”




For any additional questions, comments or if you want to find out more about Purdue Engineering, feel free to email us, leave a comment, or follow us.



Emily Helmuth, CE 

WE Link Leadership Team

 

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Purdue Women in Engineering

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