Industry Ready, Day One

I was always intimidated by statistics, but the faculty made it very approachable and I apply many of those concepts to my job. For the same reason, I also appreciated the focus on international relations—the study abroad trip with James Tanoos was an amazing experience I’ll always remember."

I am thankful for Dr. Levon Esters, Cathy Pullings, Toni Munguia and Benito Martinez. Purdue Polytechnic has made a promise to help students in any way they can. These people are just a few at the forefront of helping students find their success story, encouraging leadership, and awarding courage. "

The NROTC program at Purdue prepared me to take on leadership roles and set me on a path to becoming a Naval Officer. Professors like Don Barnes and Corben Meyer inspired me to pursue my dreams and gave me the support I needed to reach them."

Working directly with equipment and troubleshooting in lab settings gave me the confidence to handle real-life manufacturing conditions. At Purdue Polytechnic, t wasn’t just theory—we practiced what we learned, which made the transition into industry feel familiar and manageable."

Purdue Polytechnic provided me with hands-on project experience that helped me secure internships and ultimately made me more qualified for my role. The Engineering Technology capstone gave me the skills to plan, budget and execute projects effectively, preparing me for the fast-paced work environment at WSP."

Internship and study abroad opportunities, hands-on lab experiences, independent and team projects, leadership events, mentorship opportunities with Women in Technology and the School of Engineering Technology – all of these opportunities have made me feel like a well-rounded candidate for my upcoming job."

All of my hands-on classes and the opportunity to learn intuitively have set me apart from other job candidates."

Purdue Polytechnic helped me better understand the variety of jobs I can succeed in. Professors like Jeffrey Griffin and Joseph Kintzel made it fun to learn these skills, and they are always willing to help."

Purdue Polytechnic made me industry-ready from day one. From user research to UI design, every course gave me practical skills that translated directly to real-world product development—especially on projects like my senior Capstone, where I designed a portable DJing feature for Spotify."

The value of Purdue’s engineering technology programs lies in the bridge between theory and practice. Students engage directly in their own professional development, creating and working on projects that mirror the challenges of industry jobs."

This degree prepared me for the industry, and there have been so many professors and individuals who have helped me achieve my goals. All of Construction Management’s staff, faculty, and support have made this happen for me!"

Not everyone comes into this major with preexisting construction experience, and you gain that knowledge through labs and internships that serve as preparation for a variety of trades. I enjoyed the times when industry professionals came to our courses, and they provided many unforgettable lessons."

The hands-on experience working with turbine engines, airframes and electrical systems has helped me gain a great understanding of many aspects of aviation and gas/power systems. Professor Barnes and Dr. Davis have been hugely supportive and influential in helping me learn and achieve my goals."

What makes Purdue unique is that it pushes students to think practically while also preparing them to communicate professionally and lead in fast-paced environments. The faculty challenged me to think critically, work collaboratively, and hold myself to a high standard. On top of this, my professors helped connect classroom learning to the real construction industry."

Throughout my time in Purdue Polytechnic, the idea of “hands-on experience” was emphasized constantly. Before gaining any industry experience, I did not fully appreciate how valuable that approach was. As I progressed through my internships and worked on real problems that affected real people, I saw how seamlessly the skills I learned in class translated into practice."

Purdue’s HR program prepared me for success—faculty support led to a Fortune 500 internship and my first full-time role, while the curriculum helped me pass my certification exam. Courses like Compensation and Employment Law built skills I use daily as a People Partner."

Purdue’s broad curriculum allowed me to explore various areas of IT, helping me find the perfect fit in systems administration. My experience working with Purdue IT, especially with Active Directory and troubleshooting, has prepared me well for my new role. Classes like CNIT 242, CNIT 344, and CNIT 345 emphasized the importance of systems integration and documentation, while Professor Deadman’s real-world-focused classes helped me see the bigger picture in IT."

Purdue gave me a solid foundation in construction management and the chance to apply what I learned through internships. Courses like Construction Materials and Methods and the Capstone project gave me real-world skills, while mentors like Toni Munguia and Danny Wyman helped me grow into a confident and capable professional."

At Purdue Polytechnic, my favorite professor was Dr. Mesut Akdere. He was extremely responsible and truly cared about his students’ success. I especially enjoyed his Human Resource Capstone class because it wasn’t just about theory. We were encouraged to think critically, work through real problems, and connect what we learned to actual HR practices."