Purdue electrical engineering student gains early industry experience through program in Indianapolis
Purdue electrical engineering student Masha Novoselova is gaining professional experience before beginning her junior year, thanks to career programs and industry connections available at Purdue University in Indianapolis.
Novoselova secured an internship with Glassboard, an Indianapolis product development company, after meeting company CEO and Purdue alumnus Grant Chapman through a first-year professional development course.
“Taking advantage of the opportunities to network and go to career fairs is what allowed me to get this internship at Glassboard — and I’ve learned so much there,” Novoselova said.
She also completed an electrical engineering sophomore seminar that provided additional career resources and networking opportunities. Novoselova began her internship while participating in Indy Amplified, a summer professional enhancement program for Purdue students.
Her experience reflects Purdue’s efforts to connect Indianapolis students with employers early in their college careers through the Guaranteed Work Experience program, known as GWE.
More than 40% of Purdue Indianapolis students in the GWE program who recently completed their sophomore year have already secured professional work experiences. That rate is double the reported number among their peers in West Lafayette.
“The overall success rate is a testament to the commitment to build a campus culture here in Indianapolis that leads with a career-readiness focus,” said Patrick Francis, director of career relations in Indianapolis. “Our students came here to get a head start on their future careers.”
Through the Indianapolis Career Council, students can participate in career fairs, company visits, networking events and professional development courses beginning in their first year. Some students complete multiple work experiences before their junior year.
Chapman said Purdue’s presence in Indianapolis gives companies greater access to local engineering talent while allowing students to continue working during the academic year.
“Having Purdue right here in Indianapolis allows our business to connect with amazing local talent in our backyard as well as help us expand the number of interns we are able to host each year,” Chapman said. “These standout Boilermaker students are not just available for the summer. They are in our local community and enable us to continue the intern experience through the school year part time.”
Indianapolis provides Purdue students with access to companies and organizations in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, health care, technology and motorsports. Major employers with headquarters or significant operations in central Indiana include Rolls-Royce, Corteva and Eli Lilly and Company.
For Novoselova, those connections have provided an early opportunity to apply her electrical engineering education in a professional setting while building skills and relationships that can support her future career.