Giving - Office of Professional Practice - Purdue University

The Office of Professional Practice (OPP) manages a wide variety of work-integrated experiential learning programs including the Co-op Program, Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE), Interns for Indiana, the Certificate in Semiconductor and Microelectronics, the Certificate in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, the Innovation for Public Service Certificate and Defense Innovation Certificate (pending approval, launching fall 2026).

In addition to these programs, OPP provides professional skills and technical skills courses. Every year, OPP engages more than 25,000 students through its work-integrated learning programs, academic courses and student recruitment activities.

The Office of Professional Practice also has more than 50 academic liaisons across campus, including representatives from all schools of engineering, the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, the colleges of Agriculture, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, Mitch Daniels School of Business, Pharmacy and Science. 

Becoming an Office of Professional Practice corporate partner will enhance access to Purdue's most professionally ready students.

$5,000 sponsorship

Sponsorship benefits

Branding

• Logo recognition on the Office of Professional Practice website, across Office of Professional Practice marketing materials and within the campus-wide careers CRM system
• Company and student internship or co-op experience spotlights featured on the Office of Professional Practice website and social media channels

Strategic discussions

• Participation in biannual industry partner strategy discussions
• Access to a student experience report customized for your company

Enhanced recruitment

• A customized company recruitment day on campus or complimentary registration for an Office of Professional Practice-run career fair
• Invitations and complimentary attendance at networking events, including the First-Year Career Exploration Networking Event, GEARE Networking Night, Co-op Resource Fair and resume review sessions
• Early access and discounted rates for Office of Professional Practice career fairs
• Opportunities for classroom engagement and information sessions throughout the year
• A Purdue office landing space when visiting campus
• Opportunities to host student group visits at your facility

Questions?

Email Barb Albrecht.

Become a sponsor

The Office of Professional Practice offers a variety of opportunities to support the enhancement of students’ professional and technical skills, increase experiential learning opportunities and support employers in the state of Indiana and across the globe. Information on specific sponsor opportunities can be found below. 

This fund supports the development of OPP programs including new and innovative models of co-op, enhancement of student experience within the current programs, programs and courses to better prepare students for co-op experiences, and research aimed at improving work-integrated learning programs for industry and university students across the country.  

This fund supports the hiring of third, fourth and fifth year co-op and GEARE students to serve as teaching assistants and peer mentors in OPP professional skills, global skills, industry exploration and technical skills courses. These teaching assistants help first- and secondyear students develop career plans, connect with industry opportunities and improve effectiveness once employed. Thanks to support from donors, the number of OPP teaching assistants has grown from three in 2021 to 50-plus. The work of these students has helped contribute to five times growth in OPP administered work-integrated learning programs since 2021. 

The Interns for Indiana Program connects Purdue students with startups and small business within the state. Funding enables Purdue to provide financial support to students pursuing opportunities at exciting companies that may not yet be able to pay a competitive wage, thus also supporting the development of companies within Indiana. Contribution to this fund will enable the Office of Professional Practice to increase the number of internship opportunities while also increasing the number of companies positively impacted by our students. 

Gifts given to Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education (GEARE) will be utilized to help to expand the GEARE program through development of new university exchanges and professional opportunities in new countries. These gifts will also serve to enhance intercultural training efforts and support living expenses for students while working abroad.

The Office of Professional Practice is supporting the development of programming to connect students with startups and cutting edge companies in Silicon Valley. This fund connects students to Silicon Valley employers and Purdue alums, including student trips to the Bay area and networking events for students interning in the area. This will support the development of new work-integrated learning programs with new partners in the area. It will provide financial support for students taking on work experience, which may not provide enough compensation to support cost of living.  

Individuals with the interest and ability to make larger contributions ($25,000-plus) have a number of opportunities, such as the naming of the OPP office, OPP office suite, Co-op Program or GEARE and positions within OPP. Any major gift would greatly impact OPP’s ability to develop new opportunities and support Purdue students. Contact Tanya Finkbiner at Purdue for Life to discuss.