As the May 2015 graduates move into their careers, we are profiling a few and finding out their future plans and how they arrived at this point in their lives.
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Kyle Secrist, Rochester, Indiana
Associate manufacturing engineer for Paragon Medical, in Pierceton, Indiana
Education
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology
Job duties
I will be responsible for meeting internal customer requirements for the new product launch of surgical instruments and implants through robust process design. I will be part of a customer-focused team facilitating all activities associated with a product launch between the customer, supply chain, and Paragon.
Purdue classes that helped Kyle prepare for his job
The Materials and Processes and Manufacturing Systems classes really gave me a foundational knowledge of and hands-on experience with basic manufacturing methods. Production Design and Specification was the first CAD modeling and drafting class that I took at Purdue, and the principles I learned there will be forever used in my career. The international senior capstone course provided me with the opportunity to solve real world problems through self-directed learning and participate in global teams.
Other ways the college and/or Purdue provided preparation and assistance
My experience at Purdue was absolutely wonderful and, honestly, life changing. The opportunities for involvement are endless, and taking advantage of them can really make a difference in your ability to set yourself apart from other graduates in the job market. Purdue and the College of Technology [now Purdue Polytechnic Institute] have provided me with leadership opportunities through different organizations and also an Industry Cooperative Program that was an invaluable experience.
Thanks go to:
- Kay Solomon as my academic advisor who has been providing positivity and confidence to so many students in the college. She has a heart of gold and is responsible for keeping so many students on track in their studies, as she did for me.
- Phillip Sanger for giving me the opportunity to participate in the international senior capstone. This course allowed me to work with a team of students from Purdue and from Leibniz University Hannover in Germany. This project included traveling to Germany to deliver the final presentation, which is an experience that I cannot thank Dr. Sanger and Purdue enough for making happen.
- All of the mechanical engineering technology professors, lab technicians, and graduate teaching assistants that I had over the years who truly showed their passion in wanting students to become the best they can be.
- My family and friends for all of the support that they have given me throughout my time at Purdue. It would never have been possible without them.
