Have you ever wondered what EEE students do over the summer? Well, here's your answer! Hear directly from students during their various summer opportunities and experiences. Experiential Education is a key aspect of EEE's curriculum. This includes, internships, co-ops, service-learning, senior design projects, study abroad, and more. (Think of it as experiences that educate.)

Check out our new Experiential Education page for more!

Hailey Benfield

Sustainability Engineering Intern at LyondellBasell (LYB)

Hi! My name is Hailey Benfield and I will be a junior in EEE this upcoming fall! This summer I am a sustainability engineering intern at Lyondellbasell (LYB) in their Houston headquarters.

LYB is a global leader in petrochemical production and polyolefin technologies. My role here at LYB involves collaborating with multiple departments, which include the sustainability, global environmental, government relations, and climate change departments!

I am working on multiple projects throughout my 11 weeks here involving scope 3 emissions, GRI and CDP reporting, social impact, and GIS mapping. I’m even working with fellow boilermakers in my projects, including Purdue EEE alum Devon Currie!

This summer has introduced me to the corporate side of engineering, while still giving me opportunities to visit our plants and facilities. I’m super excited to continue working on these projects and gain industry experience in the remaining summer weeks!

Alba Samu Rodriguez

CEPSA Chemistry - Department of Sustainability and Energy Transition Intern

Hi, I'm Alba Samu Rodriguez! This summer, I’m interning at CEPSA Chemistry, specifically in the department of Sustainability and Energy Transition.

During the past few weeks, I have been involved in various projects related to ESG ratings, waste management, and water management. Additionally, I had the opportunity to accompany my coworkers on a visit to the chemical plant in Palos de la Frontera, which allowed me to see firsthand the operations we manage from our main office in Madrid.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to learn and grow through the insights and experiences shared by my coworkers.

Jillian Hirsch

Packaging Corporation of America, International Falls, Minnesota White Paper Mill - Co-op

Hi! My name is Jillian Hirsch, and I’m a rising senior in Environmental and Ecological Engineering. I am currently completing a coop for the Packaging Corporation of America at their International Falls, Minnesota White Paper Mill.

In the past eight months, I’ve gained so much experience on the different responsibilities of environmental engineers with focus on air, wastewater, and solid waste. A few of my main tasks are air emission incident reporting, identifying and correctly disposing of hazardous waste, and determining the quantity and quality of microorganisms in the wastewater activated sludge.

Overall, this experience has been so valuable and I’m so glad to have been able to apply what l’ve learned in the classroom to a work setting that I’m very interested in returning to after I graduate.

Lillian Slack

US Army Corps of Engineers - Environmental Branch

Hello all, I am Lillian Slack, an incoming junior in EEE this fall. This summer I started working for the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Branch in Louisville, KY.

I have had a blast getting to explore environmental engineering work with USACE. We work with unique air, soil, and water remediation projects that I have felt prepared to take on from the classes I've taken with EEE.

This summer I have been sent with other employees to help with their field work where I have gotten to oversee well water sampling in KY, visit an old TNT manufacturing site in WV to ensure their clay caps were in good condition, and will soon be visiting Northern MI to take soil and indoor air samples.

Most recently, I got the privilege of working with this year's Kentucky Governor's Scholars during their field trip to McAlpine Locks and Dams.

Rashmika Manipati

Global Environmental Co-op at LyondellBasell (LYB)

Hi everyone! My name is Rashmika Manipati and I am a rising senior in the EEE Program. This summer, I am interning at LyondellBasell (LYB) as a Global Environmental Co-op in Houston, TX. This is my second term with LYB.

I have been involved with a multitude of projects during my time here. I am working on the global implementation of the new EU policy- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD); plastic loss estimation; GIS mapper; as well as creating a roles and resources portfolio. I am also under the mentorship of Purdue EEE alum- Devon Currie!

My first term with LYB helped me understand the day-to-day operations of a plant while my second term gives me insight into the bigger picture. I have gained a lot of knowledge from both experiences and am grateful for them! Looking forward to the remaining few weeks with LYB!

Eva Lynch

Environmental Engineering Intern at Nucor Steel Texas

I'm Eva Lynch, an Environmental Engineering Intern at Nucor Steel Texas this summer!

As a part of my internship, I am working on implementing a BOLCC Program on site. The BOLCC Standard Environmental Practices Program focuses on proper containment, maintenance, inspection, and secondary containment of bulk oil and liquid chemicals at Nucor facilities.

I've also had amazing opportunities to contribute to EHS initiatives around the mill, including radiation testing, industrial hygiene testing, fall protection, and water sampling.

I'm excited for more hands-on learning and impact at a company that prioritizes safety and sustainability!

Zayne Shalabi

Environmental Engineering Intern at Heritage Environmental Services (HES)

Hi, everyone! My name is Zayne Shalabi, and I am an incoming Junior at Purdue University majoring in Environmental and Ecological Engineering with a dual degree in Film and Video Production. I am wrapping up my first summer as an Environmental Engineering intern at Heritage Environmental Services (HES) in Indianapolis.

HES provides safe and compliant waste management solutions— from incineration to fuel blending— to clients across the country. I have been lucky to work on many projects throughout the summer related to these services.

I want to thank HES, specifically Chris Tracy and Angie Martin, for guiding me and entrusting me with projects that will directly impact the company’s sustainability story. I have grown so much from this experience, both personally and professionally.