The Engineering Experience

Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) is Purdue’s largest orientation program. It takes place on campus during the week before classes begin. In my opinion, BGR is a “must do” for incoming students. It is a great way to make friends, familiarize yourself with campus, and get adjusted before the stress of classes ensues. There are so many reasons why BGR is amazing that it is impossible to describe them all in one blog but, I want to highlight the key reasons why BGR is beneficial for incoming students. Familiarizing Yourself with Campus As I mentioned earlier, when students participate in BGR, they move in an entire week prior to the beginning of classes. This time is very beneficial in many ways. Most of all, it helps students get comfortable with Purdue’s campus. There are designated times built into BGR which give students a tour of campus. Students have the ability to ask upperclassmen to walk their schedules and point out important academic buildings. Outside of BGR programming, students have fr...

Congratulations seniors on making it to the end of your high school journey! You should be so proud of the hard work you put in the past four years, and while this current chapter of your life is coming to an end, your upcoming years as a Boilermaker will be just as, if not more, amazing. There are just under three months until Boiler Gold Rush starts, so as someone who just finished their first year, I want to share a few ways you can make the most of your last summer before college. My friends and I outside of Meredith South residence hall One of the most exciting things about freshman year is having your own dorm room, which you can personalize however you’d like. Last summer, I had so much fun slowly accumulating dorm decor, as I was always on the lookout for decorations whenever I went shopping. A fun way to hang out with friends over the summer is to go thrifting for dorm decor together. Thrift stores can carry stuff from posters and art pieces for your walls, to fun lamps, and f...

     As the spring semester and school year come to a close, two of our first-year volunteers wanted to share more about the experiences they enjoyed most and found most impactful here at Purdue! Here is what Natalie and Madison had to say. Natalie's Experience BGR      Before the school year began, I had the opportunity to participate in Boiler Gold Rush (BGR), Purdue’s orientation program that welcomes over 5,000 new students. This week was filled with informative and recreational activities designed to help students acclimate to campus before academic and extracurricular commitments stack up, and it made me feel at home at Purdue very early on. From riding the Boilermaker Special to ceremoniously jumping over the train tracks, Boiler Gold Rush allows freshman and transfer students a detailed and welcoming exploration into life as a Boilermaker. Engineering Projects      As expected, this year included a ton of engineering projects – from ...

Never has it been a better time to be an engineer, particularly at Purdue! This past week, there were several exciting events happening on or near the Purdue campus that are sure to captivate any engineer, especially an aerospace engineer such as myself. On Saturday April 6th, Women in Aerospace, Graduate Women in Aerospace, and the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics hosted the Amelia Earhart Summit. The Summit was a full day event and conference that allowed Purdue students to explore the aerospace community through engaging sessions, panels, and speed mentoring. Many of the participants connected with Purdue alumni in the aerospace field and learned about their experiences working within industry. This year was especially exciting since this event has not been held in-person since 2019. With the theme of “Educate, Inspire, and Empower”, many of the students that I talked to said the Women in Aerospace Student Organization did a great job in delivering the theme to the Purdue aero...

I am the only girl and the youngest of my parents’ three kids. As a result, my parents have always been very protective of me, but I know it just because they love me. They want what is best for me and to be in an environment where I could thrive, having peace of mind that I would be taken care of wherever I was. With recent tragic events calling into question the safety of college campuses, it has really made me appreciate the fact that Purdue was recently named the safest campus in the United States . Of course, it’s always best practice to practice safety habits such as walking in groups, carrying pepper spray, and my dad’s favorite “keeping your head on a swivel”. However, between the campus culture, resources, and policies in place surrounding matters of safety, it comes to no surprise to me that Purdue comes in on top in this category. Why Safety is Important When our basic safety is threatened, it becomes very difficult to focus on anything else. If you are constantly looking ov...

     Being an engineer, it can be easy to get caught up in all of the assignments and deadlines from all of your classes. Although it is important to focus on your academics and stay on top of your work, it is also important to give your mind a well-deserved break every once in a while. West Lafayette and Downtown Lafayette have some great options if you’re looking for ways to destress and explore what’s in the area! Downtown Lafayette      Downtown Lafayette has many different types of activities if you want to take a break from studying. You can go and hand-make candles with your own chosen scent at a small candle shop, go to an escape room with friends, or even go axe-throwing! The opportunities are endless, and even simply window shopping through the boutiques and trinkets shops can be the perfect activity to help you clear your head. If you do not have a car on campus, you can take the CityBus to go to various locations downtown, and it is free for Pur...

Becca (MSE '24) acting as meet coordinator for the 2022 Big 10 Diving Championship. Purdue has many unique ways to pursue what you are passionate about. It’s a common misconception and stereotype that engineering students do not “have a life” outside of engineering itself. This often manifests in an image of a student bent over their laptop coding, writing, or solving problems for an endless stream of assignments. However, Boilermakers find a way to pursue their passions outside of the classroom that allow them to grow creatively and professionally while having fun! Purdue University is full of unique opportunities for you to take advantage of as a student. Here are a few of the favorite clubs, on-campus jobs, and activities women in engineering here at Purdue have been involved with. Clara, IE ‘24: Purdue Contemporary Dance Company I knew I wanted to continue dancing in college. My older sister was involved in Purdue Contemporary Dance Company (PCDC), so I decided to join as well...