2025 Professional Development Workshop - Women in Engineering Program - Purdue University

The Pre-Symposium Workshop at the Fourth Annual Grad WiE Network Symposium, led by Elizabeth Sanders, PhD, provided an engaging experience focused on crafting professional mission statements. Participants were introduced to design thinking principles, which they used to engage in a series of dynamic, time-bound activities and iteratively refine their personal and professional goals. Aligned with the symposium’s theme, "Sharing Your Voice, Centering Your Purpose," the session emphasized self-reflection and strategic goal setting. Attendees gained practical tools through experiential exercises, enabling them to design a mission statement that will serve as a guiding framework — helping them center their purpose throughout their professional careers and ensuring their career drives meaningful, real-world impact.