Gina Clepper - Office of Professional Practice - Purdue University

Engineering appealed to me because I wanted to use creativity to improve lives. 

Why did you choose to study electrical and computer engineering?

Engineering appealed to me because I wanted to use creativity to improve lives. I chose ECE because I thought the up-and-coming issues there seemed the most intriguing, and I liked to code.

Favorite Purdue ECE class (so far!) and why:

I really enjoyed Data Structures (ECE 368). Learning about algorithms stretched my brain in fun new ways, like solving logic puzzles.

Best event or organization you’ve participated in within ECE?

Being a part of the Women in ECE Committee as it continues to grow has been awesome.

Best event or organization you’ve participated in outside of ECE?

I’ve been active in a small group for students with the same scholarship. We do service and social activities together, and it’s nice to have this group that I can always rely on.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a potential Purdue ECE student?

Talk to your professors! I am very slowly getting better at this. If you don’t get to know them now, the semester will be over before you know it, and you’ll have missed that connection with someone who is knowledgeable and probably quite interesting, too.

Who is someone in industry that you look up to and why?

Right now, I look up to Professor Hong Tan, who directs the Haptic Interface Research Lab here at Purdue. I have just gotten involved with her lab, but already it seems that the projects she chooses to pursue are impactful and outside my previously held expectations for ECE.

What is your ultimate career goal?

I’m definitely still exploring careers. I would love a position where I can make creative or strategic decisions, though what I’m looking for may not quite align with traditional expectations for people with an engineering background. Right now, I’m interested in learning more in the areas of human factors and design, but nothing is set in stone!

What do you do in your free time?

I like to read, write, and make art. At the moment, I’m also studying Mandarin Chinese.

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