Featured Corporate Partner

 

Phillips 66

With more than 140 years of experience, we are well-positioned to help fulfill global energy needs. We are a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company with unique businesses in Refining, Midstream, Chemicals and Marketing and Specialties.  Operational, economic, social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of how we provide energy and improve lives.

 

What were your internship responsibilities?

I had a few projects throughout the course of the internship. One project involved creating a computer model to estimate the air emissions from the site's wastewater treatment plant. For another project, I analyzed the economic and environmental consequences of a new EPA requirement imposed on refineries. I also created a Flare Management Plan for submittal to the EPA.

 

How do you feel that your education at Purdue helped you while working for this company?

Purdue Engineering helped prepare me for this internship by giving me experience with the iterative process of creating an engineering model. I was able to easily create spreadsheets, perform technical calculations and handle data when working on my projects. My courses within EEE gave me a useful, foundational knowledge of chemistry and wastewater treatment, which helped my understanding with the scope of my projects.

 

How was your overall internship experience?

My internship experience with Phillips 66 was very meaningful, unique and well-rounded. It was my first industrial internship, and during my time I got to see several different areas of environmental engineering, including wastewater treatment, water sampling, air quality/emissions and land remediation. I got to work both in the field and in the office daily. All of the employees were willing and eager to give tours or bring us to a new unit just because we were curious. We also got to have a lot of fun off the job through community service and work events.

 

Any major takeaways?

The main takeaways from my internship were that safety is always first in an industrial setting, environmental work is very challenging but rewarding and important at a refinery, and to never be afraid to ask questions.

 

What are your plans for post-graduation?

After graduation, I will complete another internship with Phillips 66 and then return to Purdue for another year to obtain my MS in Environmental and Ecological Engineering through the combined degree program.

 

What did this internship teach you about yourself?

This internship taught me that I am curious and work well in a challenging environment that requires constant learning.