What made you decide to choose your specific major?
I chose OL because it leaves the door open for so many different opportunities. Whether you are dead set on what you want your future to look like or have no idea what it will look like, OL allows both paths. Those paths could also allow you to be a leader, manager, or even a supervisor within any of those occupations.
What are a couple of your favorite things about your program of study?
I love OL simply because it allows so much flexibility. I am majoring in OL, but my minor in Human Resources is what makes my path unique. There are so many different concentrations and ways people are going, but the cool thing about OL is that you will end up meeting people who might be in your same major, but have a totally different outlook and goal for their future.
What has been one of your favorite class projects?
My favorite class project was in TLI 213 - Project Management. My group worked together to develop an Indoor Map App for Purdue’s campus, specifically directed towards new students, guests, or parents who don’t know a lot about campus. Just as a GPS can guide you to your destination on a road, the app would guide you toward a classroom or office inside of a building. We developed deliverables and stakeholders and worked on a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Dictionary and a Gantt Chart.
What other activities are you involved in on campus?
A few other activities I am involved in on campus are Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), RUF Ministry Team, CRU, and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Can you share with us a little bit about your study abroad experience?
While I haven’t exactly studied abroad, I have been to the Dominican Republic two different times on a mission trip through my church. We provided supplies, food, and care for the children and adults within the church. This gave me such a different perspective on other cultures, but also so much insight on the things we take for granted, specifically technology related things that make our lives so much easier.
What do you know about your program of study now that you wish someone had told you when you were choosing a major?
Two things I wish I knew were the amount of technology used in the Polytechnic school. Teams and any other virtual program will become your best friend. Second, I wish I knew I was constantly going to be put into groups to do projects, discussion boards, solve problems, etc.
What would be one piece of advice for prospective students or new Purdue students?
My advice to prospective students would be to sit close to the front in all of your classes (whether big or small), get to know your professors, communicate early when there are questions or concerns, and get involved in community and outreach activities!