After a year and a half in process development, I realized designing chemical processes on paper was not enough. I wanted to see them in action, to be on the production floor where problems unfold in real time. That is what led me to Purdue’s Professional Master’s Program (PMP) in January 2025, a place where technical and management courses, industry projects, and co-ops blend into one practical learning experience.

Getting my current co-op at Bayer Crop Science was not straightforward. I first met their team at the spring career fair and even landed an interview, but did not make it through. I stayed in touch, kept sending follow-up emails, and eventually my resume found its way to another team. A second interview turned into an offer and my current role as a Process Safety Engineering Co-Op.

At Bayer Crop Science, I have been simulating wastewater treatment systems, building Power BI dashboards for KPIs, and learning to design relief safety valves. I have also been part of Process Hazard Analyses and safety investigations, experiences that have shown me how interconnected engineering is with other disciplines in an industrial setting.

This role has opened my eyes to the many career paths ahead, from project engineer to production engineer, and I am exploring them all before deciding where to focus.

My advice to future PMP students is simple: work hard to get a co-op or internship, and treat it as a learning tool more than an earning tool. Be a sponge, and never dismiss a chance to learn, no matter how small it seems.

Boiler Up!