Chemistry to Chemical Engineering

Courtney Cain Frederick image
Courtney Cain Frederick

Growing up in Indiana one often aspires to become a Boilermaker, and I am happy to say I am living that dream. The Chemical Engineering Professional Master's Program (PMP) program marks a full circle moment in both my professional and personal growth.

It may come as a surprise, but an engineering degree is not a pre-requisite for the program. Despite not having an engineering background, I am confident in my ability to succeed in the program due to my skills and knowledge

gained from studying chemistry. I chose to pursue my career advancement through Purdue for several reasons. First, I have a strong interest in working in the pharmaceutical industry and the program offers a concentration in that area, providing valuable insights. Secondly, the capstone program provides a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning opportunity that gives students real industry experience. Lastly, the welcoming and supportive culture at Purdue, along with the commitment of faculty and staff to help students succeed, encouraged me to strive for my full potential. Everyone at the university, from the teaching staff to student services, is available to assist students in their academic journey.

So far, I have really enjoyed my analytics classes and a course on medical devices where I gained a lot of knowledge about various illnesses. My oral communication skills have improved greatly through giving numerous presentations and I feel well-prepared to join the workforce. When I'm not at school, I work part-time at a local retail store and spend much of my time at the gym. Taking advantage of the open environment at Purdue, I am working along with a friend to establish a student club for pharmaceutical engineering. I am thrilled to work on this project and recruit undergraduate students who share a similar passion for the pharmaceutical industry and desire to advance their careers in this field.

At Purdue University, the PMP program provides a great opportunity to excel in your career and make a significant impact in your industry. The university values passion and provides a level playing field for all students to thrive in their educational journey. I would be delighted to connect with prospective students and share my insights on what it's like to be a part of the Boilermaker community.