Industry
Engagement
As a proud part of Purdue University's land-grant mission, the School of Engineering Technology exists to serve - our students, our industry partners, and the communities and economy that depend on an applied engineering workforce. Partner with us to access cutting-edge talent, applied research & development, innovation, and workforce solutions built for the industries that power our world.
Land-Grant Mission. Purdue University was founded in 1869 to make higher education accessible and to put knowledge directly in service of society. The School of Engineering Technology carries that mission forward - training the Boilermakers who build, power, and advance the industries and communities that depend on them.
APPLIED EDUCATION.
INDUSTRY READY.
The School of Engineering Technology (SOET) at Purdue Polytechnic prepares students to solve real engineering challenges in electrical, mechanical, robotics, industrial, mechatronics, and computer engineering technology - through hands-on, applied learning rooted in industry practice.
Whether you have a short-term workforce challenge or a long-term vision that requires collaboration, SOET has the expertise, facilities, and talent pipeline to move things forward. Our faculty bring real-world industry experience into the classroom and laboratory, ensuring our graduates are workforce-ready from day one.
Our industry engagement model connects companies with students through project-based learning, internships, capstone sponsorships, and applied research - creating mutual value at every stage of the partnership. When industry thrives, our students thrive. That alignment is not accidental - it is the land-grant promise.
HOW COMPANIES PARTNER WITH US
From talent pipelines to sponsored research, SOET offers flexible engagement models that align with your organization's goals and timeline.
Talent & Recruitment
Access a pipeline of highly prepared engineering technology graduates. Participate in career fairs, host on-campus information and recruiting events, offer internships and co-ops, and establish preferred employer relationships with SOET's industry engagement and student success team. Ask about setting up a Company Info Session for an exclusive visit with SOET students.
Capstone Project Sponsorship
Bring real engineering challenges to senior student teams. Sponsored capstone projects deliver applied solutions to company problems while giving your organization direct access to SOET's top students in their final year of study.
Applied Research & Development
SOET faculty bring deep technical expertise and a practical, solutions-driven approach to industry challenges — from AI applications and automation to product development and manufacturing innovation. We offer multiple models for collaboration, ranging from sponsored research and graduate student fellowships to embedded researcher partnerships and technology licensing. Whether you're looking to answer a specific research question or explore a longer-term R&D relationship, we'll work with you to find the right fit — with full confidentiality.
Equipment Donations & Lab Partnerships
Donate equipment or technology to support SOET's state-of-the-art laboratories and put your brand at the center of the next generation's education. Equipment and lab partnerships create hands-on learning environments where students train directly on industry-standard systems — building familiarity with your products, platforms, and processes — ensuring graduates are ready to contribute on day one.
Professional Development
Leverage Purdue's professional development resources to upskill your workforce. SOET and Purdue Polytechnic offer continuing education, technical training, and certificate programs designed for working professionals and industry teams.
Strategic Giving & Endowments
Make a targeted investment in SOET's future through scholarships, endowed faculty positions, program funding, or facility support and naming opportunities. Strategic gifts align your company's brand with Purdue's engineering technology legacy and student success.
DISCIPLINES WE OFFER
SOET delivers ABET-accredited undergraduate and graduate programs spanning the core engineering technology disciplines that drive modern manufacturing, infrastructure, and innovation.
Electrical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial Engineering Technology
Computer Engineering Technology
Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Robotics Engineering Technology
Supply Chain & Sales Engineering Technology
Engineering-Technology Education
MS in Engineering Technology
Smart Manufacturing Industrial Informatics
View all programs at polytechnic.purdue.edu/academic-areas/soet →
RECRUIT OUR STUDENTS
One way to connect with SOET talent is through Purdue's career fair events. These gatherings bring companies together with students actively seeking internships, co-ops, and full-time positions — giving your team face-to-face access to motivated, applied engineering technology candidates.
Hosted by the Purdue Engineering Student Council, the Industrial Roundtable is one of the nation's largest and most respected student-led career fairs, attracting over 400 companies and 19,000+ students annually. The event focuses on connecting employers with students seeking internships, co-ops, and full-time positions in STEM, engineering, and related disciplines. This annual event is held in early-mid September.
Through the Defense & Security Career Fair, you will be able to showcase your organization to students who are interested in internships or full-time work in the defense sector. This is your opportunity to hire defense-interested, defense-eligible students from Purdue. The career fair is part of the National Defense & Security (NDS) Week, scheduled on November 10–14, 2025. The Defense & Security Career Fair will be held on November 12, 2025. For more information, please visit ndsweek.org.
Registration closed for 2025
The Purdue Polytechnic Career Fair brings together hundreds of students and nearly 70 companies seeking to fill internship, co-op, and full-time positions. The Purdue Polytechnic Institute, one of 10 academic units at Purdue, has degree programs in five areas: Aviation & Transportation Technology, Construction Management Technology, Applied & Creative Computing, Engineering Technology, and Technology Leadership & Innovation. This annual event is held in early February.
Registration closed for 2026
A career fair specifically for startups and companies looking to hire interns, co-ops and full-time positions from Purdue University! Let us build the bridge to top talent spanning your recruiting difficulties of time, travel or capital with our Virtual Career Fair. Set your own recruiting time frame during this 12-hour event.
Hosted by Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities (CCO), the Just in Time career fair is held later in the academic year and is designed for employers looking to fill immediate openings — positions that need to be filled quickly, often for spring or summer starts. This fair is for employers' last minute hiring needs for both full-time and internship opportunities. Each year, approximately 1,000 students attend from most majors.
Indiana-based companies hiring in Indiana may be eligible for a Small Business Scholarship. For inquiries, contact Stephen Roach at roach23@purdue.edu.
Not sure which event is the right fit for your recruiting goals? Contact Lisa Arafune and our team can help connect you with the right event and prepare you to make the most of your time on campus.
SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER
SOET's Industry Advisory Council (IAC) brings together senior leaders from partner companies to guide curriculum development, research priorities, entrepreneurship and innovation, and workforce strategy.
IAC membership is designed to be meaningful without being burdensome. Members can expect:
- Two in-person meetings per year, held on Purdue's campus
- Two subcommittee calls per year to dive deeper into specific topics
- Occasional advising of faculty and students with interest in your industry or company
- Participation in student-facing events such as capstone presentations and career fairs
- Async curriculum feedback when program changes are under review
- Opportunities to connect SOET with other industry leaders in your network
Beyond the formal structure, many of our most engaged IAC members find that the relationships built — with faculty, students, and fellow industry leaders — become one of the most valuable parts of their involvement.
BY INVITATION
We invite industry professionals who are highly engaged with SOET to serve on our Industry Advisory Council. In addition to the two annual meetings, IAC members are invited to engage with faculty and students throughout the year. The companies on the IAC are invested in SOET across multiple avenues and are deeply committed to the success of our students.
THREE STEPS TO PARTNERSHIP
Reach Out
Contact our industry engagement team to share your goals — whether you're looking for talent, a research partner, or a deeper strategic relationship.
Explore the Fit
We'll connect you with the right SOET faculty, staff, or program leads to identify the partnership model that best aligns with your objectives.
Build Together
Let's get started. We know that navigating a university partnership can feel complex — contracts, confidentiality agreements, the right faculty contact, the right program. That's exactly what our team is here for. We'll connect you with the right people, help you move through Purdue's processes efficiently, and stay with you as your relationship with SOET grows. From advertising your recruiting events and signing NDAs to launching a sponsored research project or designing a custom training program — we're with you at every step, and we're invested in making the partnership work.