April 24, 2020 

Hello Friends of Purdue Industrial Engineering, 

First and foremost, I hope you, your families, and your employees are safe. 

During these unprecedented times, our students are facing a situation at Purdue IE that we are trying to address—many have had their summer internships pulled or cancelled. Therefore, we are reaching out to see if there is an opportunity within your company to host an alternative way of adding industrial engineering resources this summer. 

I know this is short notice, but as Boilermakers, and we know how to innovate; show agility and think in new and systemic ways. 

I’m asking for your consideration to open opportunities for our students that might be very different from the typical internship. With most of us moving to virtual “offices,” the idea of a “virtual internship” is one that is resonating with a few of the companies I have already talked to. 

With recent spotlights on process improvement, supply-chain elements, expeditious procurement, shifting manufacturing requirements, employee balancing, engineering economic analysis, and research in areas that ten weeks ago were not so prevalent, Purdue IE students are uniquely qualified to analyze and may provide temporary untapped resources that will benefit your organization. 

These opportunities may include paid or unpaid student projects, initially “virtual” work and may shift to possibly on-site project work contingent on University Guidelines. The School of IE has committed to include academic credit for industrial projects this summer. The IE students get credit or paid, your company receives additional resources to address areas of concern at low or no cost. 

If you feel there is an opportunity within your company, please contact me ASAP. 

Best Regards and stay safe, 

Dave Kotterman

Director, Industry Relations

School of Industrial Engineering

Email Dave