Alexandra “Allie” Sexton is a key example of how Purdue takes care of its students —nurturing them, building their confidence, helping them achieve goals and preparing them for the future.

Sexton graduated from Purdue in May 2014 (BS CEM), having completed internships in her hometown of Chesterton, Indiana, downtown Chicago, and Oslo, Norway, and studied abroad in Christchurch, New Zealand. She also has worked with a Purdue Global Design Team in Lumbisi, Ecuador.

“As engineers, we are encouraged to find internships even the summer after freshman year. So, I’ve been interning since the summer of 2010,” Sexton says.

She carried out three internships with the Walsh Group, working on prestigious projects such as a 50-story residential high-rise in downtown Chicago, narratives for federal technical proposals and the new U.S. Embassy project in Oslo.

“My first summer, I was in charge of writing various parts of construction proposals that went to bid. The second summer/winter, I was in charge of badge clearances, punch list items and submittal processing. My final summer, I was in charge of all invoicing, meeting minutes processing and distributing, and I assisted with litigation,” Sexton says.

Her superior work ethic and ambition has paid off.  She is working full time in Oslo at a job in her field, something many recent graduates likely would envy. She credits the CEM team for guiding her.

“Brandon Fulk (CEM’s director of internships) and Bonnie Sondgeroth (CEM secretary) take the utmost care in ensuring that both students and companies are happy with the outcome of each summer internship. Brandon makes sure that the tasks given to students are worthwhile and meaningful,” she says.

Working and studying abroad has shown Sexton a different way of life.

“In my free time, I spent a lot more time outdoors in both of these countries. I walked everywhere or rode public transportation — no cars for me, except on long trips across the country! — and hiked or biked almost every weekend,” Sexton shares. “That is something you don’t get to experience in the States as much, especially if you live in a more flat environment like we do at Purdue.

“Food also is less processed in both countries, and consequently spoils faster. But I’ll take it, because it’s healthier for me!”

As for the future, Sexton says she would  “like to be on the road toward project management in the construction industry.”