I hail from Kansas, pursuing my undergraduate studies at Kansas State University and majoring in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Chemistry. During my undergraduate years, I developed a strong passion for advanced organic chemistry and sought to deepen my expertise in this field. One specific area that captured my interest was pharmaceuticals, and pursuing a Master's program in this specialization seemed like the ideal choice to advance my career. Consequently, when I received admission to the Professional Master's Program at Purdue, I had no reservations about it being the perfect fit. Despite the program's brief duration of just one year, I gained an appreciable wealth of knowledge and a broader perspective.

The turning point in my journey through the program was the capstone project, which eventually led me to my current position at Evonik. During my capstone project itself, I was tasked with developing the business case for optimal solvent recovery selection, integrating factors such as volume, price, and recovery efficiency, into a formulaic approach. I now currently serve as a Process Engineer at Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories, where my focus lies in the cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) manufacturing processes. At Evonik, we collaborate with various clients and engage in API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) synthesis. Behind the scenes, there is extensive work involved in drug manufacturing, encompassing everything from identifying equipment availability to combining that equipment into a rig and selecting the optimal processing parameters. A team of engineers supervises the development and performance of these processes, and I'm proud to be on this team in Lafayette, IN. I'm immensely grateful for the doors opened by the capstone project, which lead to my current role at Evonik. Throughout the experience, I gained a deep understanding of the company's structure, culture, and technical language, which provided me with a distinct advantage over other candidates. Thanks to the training and knowledge I received, I was able to hit the ground running on my first day as a full time engineer.

The Professional Master's Program offered me a well-rounded education. I gained exposure to a wide range of concepts, including pharmaceutical dosage forms, healthcare development, and a business-oriented perspective on operations and finance, equipping me to boldly approach complex business challenges. My advice to prospective and current students is not to shy away from internship and Co-Op opportunities, as they provide invaluable hands-on experience and the opportunity to test-drive potential careers. Think about what truly interests you and find companies that align with your passions. Lastly, don't hesitate to explore uncharted territories; you never know what hidden opportunities may await.