Engineering Your Dreams

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When choosing the right school for you, think about how it will help you build the future you want! Every engineering project starts with a plan, a blueprint, and your college journey should too. Purdue provides you with all the tools to engineer your dreams. You just have to plan them out, design your journey, and start building! Here are some resources to help you learn how Purdue can be the perfect place to bring your blueprint to life.

Engineering Pathway

First off, we have to lay the foundation. Purdue offers different pathways into an engineering degree. At our West Lafayette location, the First-Year Engineering (FYE) Program allows you to spend your first year in general engineering classes and explore the different fields before choosing your major at the end of the academic year. Whether you do or don’t know which engineering field you want to get into, the FYE program can be just the right place for you and can help immerse you into the world of engineering basics and different fields!

In our Indianapolis location, students have direct admission into their major. Having been admitted directly into your specific engineering major, you can now plan your major-specific courses and choose electives respectively. If you are already sure on which major you would like to pursue, this is a good option to dive into your major immediately. However, you can still change your major if you change your mind and decide to pursue a different engineering field. In your degree, you also get to bond with the peers and start building a community with them. Once you are set on your pathway, you can now start designing your college journey!

Learning Communities

Every engineering student, both in West Lafayette and Indianapolis, are encouraged to join a learning community. There are two options, including Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) and Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP). These are hands-on, project-based programs that will give you real-world engineering experience. In EPICS, you will design engineering-based solutions for non-profits and community organizations. In VIP, you will carry out research-oriented projects with faculty researchers or industries. Whichever program you choose, you will get to work in teams and get a peek into the engineering field of industry and research from your very first year.

Research

In addition to your academics, Purdue offers numerous opportunities for you to get involved in research. The Engineering Undergraduate Research Office (EURO) can guide you in choosing programs and applying for them. The First-Time Researcher Fellowship (FTR) is a great way for you to start your research journey. Specifically designed for students new to research, this program consists of a course that teaches you all the basics, including writing abstracts, designing a methodology, and presenting at conferences. Purdue also offers summer programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) where students get to work in research labs for 11 weeks with our amazing faculty. These programs are available on both campuses, so you are sure to find something that matches your research interests.

Work experience

Of course, an important part of your college journey is gaining work experience to prepare for your future career. Purdue offers countless resources to help you secure internships and co-ops. The Office of Professional Practice (OPP) has advisors and teaching assistants who can advise you on professional skills including resume writing, interview preparation and networking strategies. The Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) can help you search and apply for internships and job positions as well. Purdue hosts networking events, including the renowned Industrial Roundtable, one of the nation’s largest student-run career fairs hosting over 400 companies in West Lafayette. Additionally, the Indianapolis campus has the Engineering, Science & Tech Connect Career Fair bringing innovative startups and established companies based right here in the city of Indianapolis. These platforms will allow you to connect with industry professionals and kickstart your engineering career.

Community

Last but not least, the college experience would not be complete without the community. All these tools will support you in building your engineering career, but what makes the experience truly fulfilling is the people who will be with you on this journey. There will always be someone to guide and support you, whether it's your advisors, teaching assistants or professors. There are a lot of communities, like the Women in Engineering (WiE) Program, that you can join to meet other like-minded students who are on the same path as you. In the WiE Mentee & Mentor Program, you will get to learn from upperclassmen who have gone through this journey. They can give you advice and answer any questions you have about college. Social events are a great way for you to make new friends and destress from your academics.


Purdue has given me so many opportunities to learn and grow as an engineer, and WiE has been with me throughout this whole journey. Even as a first-year, I was able to get involved in engineering projects, start clubs, and get involved in research. My mentors from WiE gave me invaluable advice and were the ones who encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone to pursue all these opportunities. And of course, the friends I have made through WiE have made my journey much more fun and enjoyable. I can say for sure that at Purdue, I am able to engineer and build my dreams surrounded by people who support, challenge and inspire me every step of the way.

Aurelia Chelfannisa, BME '28

Indianapolis LT

 

Stay Connected With Purdue WiE Program! 

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Instagram: @purdue.wie 

Blog: purduewiep.blogspot.com 

Email: welink@purdue.edu 

YouTube: Purdue Women in Engineering Program - YouTube 


Use the hashtag #PurdueWiE on Facebook and Instagram! 

Purdue Women in Engineering

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