October Highlights from OPP
October was an eventful month for Purdue University’s Office of Professional Practice, offering students valuable opportunities to connect with industry leaders and recognize Purdue alumni who have paved the way for future Boilermakers. Through events like the third annual FYE Industry Exploration Night and the Professional Practice Hall of Fame, OPP continues its commitment to supporting students’ career readiness and industry connections.
Extending Industry Opportunities to Purdue in Indianapolis
The Office of Professional Practice at Purdue University in Indianapolis assisted in organizing the inaugural Engineering & Tech Connect Career Fair, featuring 75 employers and over 550 students. This event created valuable opportunities for students to engage with industry leaders and explore career paths in engineering and tech, reinforcing Purdue's reputation and demand for engineering talent.
October 3: Tesla Networking Session
Tesla recruiters visited campus to network with over 250 Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Masters of Engineering Management students. Prior to this event, they also connected 90 with Motorsports Engineering and Mechanical Engineering students in Purdue in Indianapolis. The networking session offered students the opportunity to hear from representatives from cell engineering, global quality, quality operations, and process engineering sectors. Many students were able to gain insight into the career opportunities at Tesla, with these representatives discussing roles, culture, and how Tesla plans to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy.
October 9: FYE Industry Night
In collaboration with the First-Year Engineering Program, the Office of Professional Practice hosted the second annual First-Year Engineering (FYE) Industry Exploration Night, welcoming over 1,000 FYE students. This event featured more than 120 industry representatives, including Purdue University College of Engineering alumni, current co-op students, co-op coordinators, academic advisors, Professional Practice Hall of Fame inductees, and practicing engineers. This opportunity built connections between students and industry professionals, offering a well-rounded perspective on engineering careers across various disciplines and experience levels. As representatives shared their professional journeys, students explored potential career paths and gained valuable insights that could influence their transition to majors following their FYE experience. By providing this platform for early engagement, FYE Industry Night empowers students to make more informed decisions about their academic and professional futures.
October 10: Purdue Life Sciences and Pharma Career Fair
This year, the Office of Professional Practice hosted an intimate career fair focused on the Life Sciences and Pharma sectors, connecting over 300 students from the Colleges of Engineering, Science, Health & Human Sciences, and Pharmacy with leading pharmaceutical companies and Indiana-based startups. This event provided an opportunity for students to engage with industry representatives, fostering valuable connections in the pharmaceutical field.
The career fair aligns with the initiatives of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Certificate, offered in collaboration with the William D. Young Institute for Advanced Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals. This certificate provides broad technical exposure to the pharmaceutical and life sciences fields through relevant courses and experiential learning opportunities. Students who attain this certificate will be well positioned to advance into successful careers working in the global pharmaceutical industry. Learn more about the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Certificate here.
October 14: Milestones Kicks-off Session 2
The MILESTONES micro-credential program, launched in 2019, continues to provide hands-on training in engineering and prototyping through new sessions developed by Purdue Engineering faculty. This program enhances students' technical skills in practical, industry-focused settings.
During Session 1, held from September 2 to October 4, a total of 321 students participated in six unique courses that covered topics in prototyping & manufacturing and electronics & app development. These courses go beyond theoretical learning, giving students hands-on experience through real-world applications. From modeling and 3D printing objects like astronauts and nightlights to developing their own apps and coding synchronized music and lights shows with a breadboard and LEDs, students are able to walk away with tangible creations and practical skills that extend their learning far beyond the classroom.
Currently, Session 2 has 218 students enrolled, with expectations to reach around 280 by the final registration deadline.
October 18: Professional Practice Hall of Fame
The Professional Practice Hall of Fame, held October 17-18, celebrated individuals who have significantly impacted Purdue’s Professional Practice Programs, marking a pivotal moment in honoring work-integrated learning. With 180 attendees at the induction ceremony, including distinguished GEARE and co-op alumni, the event showcased the power of experiential learning that embodies Purdue's commitment to immersive education.
This year also marked a significant milestone as it was the inaugural induction of GEARE alumni into the Hall of Fame. The event included remarks from Phillip Dunston, Director of Office of Professional Practice and Professor in the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Arvin Ramand, John A. Edwardson Dead of the College of Engineering and Robert V. Adams Professor Mechanical Engineering, and Eckhard A. Groll, William E. and Florence E. Perry Head of Mechanical Engineering and Reilly Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Mung Chiang, President of Purdue University and Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, also joined the celebration, highlighting the impact of this occasion.
Additionally, the legacy of Thomas “Tom” Clement, ME '58, was honored as he was posthumously recognized as Purdue University's first co-op student. His pioneering journey underscores the essential role that co-op programs play in shaping the educational experience and preparing future generations of Boilermakers. Read more about Tom's story here.
2024 Professional Practice Alumni Inductees:
- Alicia Gardner - CHE '01, Vice President & Franchise Lead Covid-19, Genentech
- Ted Tharp - CHE '98, Associate Director of Operations Science & Technology, AbbVie
- Steve Downer - ME '96, Vice President, Amazon
- Patricia "Patty" Sorenson - MSE '93, Associate Director of Global Performance Excellence, PG Technologies
- Kunal Sethy - EE '04, 2X Startup Founder, Entrepreneur, Advisor & CEO
- Angie Martin - CE '91, Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer, Heritage Environmental Services
- Andre Luyckx - ME '83, Retired VP of Upstream Digital Transformation, Former ExxonMobil
- Thomas “Tom” Clement - ME '58, First Co-op Student at Purdue University
October 29-30: ASML Day @ Purdue
During ASML Day @ Purdue, ASML engaged with 200+ students through various events including student meet & greets, resume workshops, and panels. These representatives also spoke in two of OPP's ENGR 103 courses, reaching hundreds of students and providing them with a deeper understanding of the opportunities available within the company. This engagement not only highlighted ASML’s commitment to supporting student development but also enriched the educational experience by connecting students with real-world industry expertise.