Many students are uncertain about what careers they want to pursue after college. This is why in 2018, there were 1,047 students in Exploratory Studies at Purdue—making it the third largest college at the university.
Enrolling as an explorer is a great opportunity for students to take the first year or two of college to complete core classes and discover what to pursue for the future. As they journey through their first couple of years in Exploratory Studies, many students find they have the desire and diverse skills that are necessary to pursue a degree in Construction Engineering and Management (CEM).
Read on to discover why students like Seth Hocking started in Exploratory Studies and found a home, passion, and future career with CEM.
Starting Out in Exploratory Studies
For many students beginning college—starting in Exploratory Studies is a common stepping stone as they discover their ultimate path. Many even enter the program because they do not yet qualify for the degree they’re most interested in. This was the case for Seth Hocking, a sophomore in the Purdue CEM program.
Seth explains, “I began with exploratory studies because I was initially rejected from Purdue’s FYE program. Determined to go to Purdue, I decided I would attend as an explorer, knowing I would have to work hard to get through the notorious weed-out classes and get admitted to the engineering program.”
However, as time passes for exploratory studies students, they have the opportunity to experience and learn more about their strengths, weaknesses, and passions. For those with strong math, communication, leadership, and engineering skills—pursuing a degree in Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) could lead to the educational and work experience they’ve been looking for.
Finding a Program with Quality Industry Partnerships and Immediate Work Experience
Construction Engineering and Management helps students turn their passion for engineering and architecture into a lucrative career. CEM develops young men and women into versatile engineers through small classes taught by industry experts and an innovative internship program.
The CEM internship program is a significant advantage of the Construction Engineering and Management program. Students are required to complete three internships during their time in CEM. During this time, they receive professional field experiences before receiving their diplomas—setting them apart from their peers and providing valuable hands-on, real-world experience.
When asked about his experience with his first internship—Hocking said, “Over the summer, I was lucky enough to land an internship with Ragle Inc., a construction company near my home, where I learned about the industry. I fell in love with the work I was doing and decided to make it my career.”
Becoming an Innovative and Versatile Engineer
The Construction Engineering and Management program helps students discover their passion for engineering and architecture and provides them with almost immediate opportunities to utilize diverse skill sets from leadership, design, management, and overseeing every aspect of a construction project.
Hocking acknowledged how beneficial it has been for him to engage a wide variety of skills in CEM and how he prepares to use those in the future.
Hocking shared, ”I enjoy the wide range of knowledge project managers and estimators need to complete their work. They need to understand money management, basic math for estimating large quantities, communication, and countless other skills for every aspect of their job. The mix of office work and outdoor time also attracted me to the CEM major, I really enjoy spending time outside, but when the weather is not great, I can spend time inside working on bids for future jobs.”.
Choosing a Well-Rounded Engineering Degree with 100% Job Placement After College
CEM provides students with many opportunities to diversify their professional portfolios through study abroad opportunities, EPICS service learning, Capstone senior design projects, research experience, and more. It also offers them the unique opportunity of participating in a program that provides 100% job placement upon graduation. As a sophomore, Hocking shared the options available to him after graduation.
“I am currently interviewing with a few companies, but I will likely stay with Ragle. I was positively impacted by all the people there that treated me so well and taught me so much.”
CEM provides students with more than just an engineering degree. With a curriculum that cuts across traditional engineering boundaries and provides students with a well-rounded, multidisciplinary education, students find a home, passion, and future career in construction engineering.
If you’re ready to begin your path to becoming an innovative engineer with a lucrative career where your leadership, design, and oversight influence every aspect of a construction project, contact Purdue CEM today.
The world is demanding innovative engineers who have the ability to design and manage projects as well as the skills to manage people.
The Purdue University Construction Engineering and Management program develops versatile engineers by merging high-value education with direct access to industry leaders and successful alumni. The curriculum is 80% construction engineering and 20% management courses, and classes are taught by industry experts who bring their own real-world experiences. Through small class sizes, innovative internships, 100% job placement, and the use of cutting-edge technology, we help turn a passion for engineering and architecture into a career where leadership, design, and oversight influence every aspect of a construction project.
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