Alumni Testimonials
Purdue University's graduate online engineering students have access to the highest quality of education at the highest proven value. For professional engineers, that's an opportunity to maximize your professional growth while at the same time keeping your current career on track.
These are some of the testimonials from our current and past students.
Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering
Januario Mendes
Two years after completing his bachelor’s degree, Januario Mendes wanted to upgrade his engineering skills while gaining business expertise that could position him to move into leadership as his career advances.
After some research, he decided that only one master’s program fit what he was looking for – the online Dual Master of Science in Engineering (MS/MSE) + Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Purdue University. The program combines technical training in engineering with valuable management training, giving students skills they need to confidently step into leadership positions at the intersection of engineering and business.
“Since graduating, I have transitioned into a more senior engineering role in which I gained managerial responsibilities,” said Mendes, who graduated in the fall of 2022 and is a senior industrial engineer with Cummins, Inc., in Columbus, Ind. “My master's degree has prepared and equipped me with the skills and knowledge required to help my peers and coach other fellow junior engineers.”
Learn more here.
Austin Nagy
Austin Nagy originally enrolled in Purdue’s online Engineering Management and Leadership master’s program because his employer at the time, General Motors, sponsored it. But Nagy, who graduated in the spring of 2022, stayed with it even after he changed employers because he felt that Purdue had established a high-quality online program. That persistence has paid off for Nagy, quality manager at Knox Company in Phoenix, Ariz.
“As I was finishing my degree, I was able to negotiate a promotion at my current company from quality engineer to quality manager,” Nagy said. “From a networking perspective, I do find many more recruiters reach out to me for job opportunities.”
Besides such material benefits, completing Purdue’s program has been a win from a professional development perspective for Nagy.
“Furthering my education has given me a seat at every table in the company,” Nagy said. “My perspectives on management and corporate strategy have changed significantly and I find more and more employees reaching out for consultation. From a purely technical standpoint, I find myself able to not only participate but lead in almost all technical operations decisions we make.”
The bottom line, Nagy said: “The Purdue program was fun and a good investment in myself.”
Alex Pax
Alex Pax, a GM Defense software and controls engineer, initially pursued an engineering master's degree at Ohio State University but was lured away by a
job offer from GM during his senior year. However, he soon realized the importance of an advanced degree for career advancement. Fortunately, GM's Technical Education Program (TEP) covered the cost, and Purdue University's online Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Engineering with a Systems Engineering concentration caught his attention. This program, taught by Purdue's renowned faculty, offered the flexibility he needed to continue working while earning his degree.
Pax believed that systems engineering was crucial in his field and chose Purdue's online option for its reputation and his brother's positive experience at the university. He aspired to a technical leadership role where he could design and oversee complex projects. Throughout the program, Pax found that the knowledge he gained was directly applicable to his work, and the program's flexibility allowed him to balance work and studies effectively. The strong advising component and interaction with faculty and fellow students made it a valuable experience. Pax concluded that Purdue's online program was an excellent opportunity for career growth.
Learn more about Alex here.
Temitope "Temi" Adegboye
2023 alum, Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering - Systems Engineering
Purdue online graduate students can earn their degree while also taking other certification courses to broaden their engineering skillset. The flexibility of engineering online degrees is unmatched while not compromising the prestigious education. Temitope "Temi" Adegboye earned his degree online while also successfully earning a graduate certificate in systems and taking an INCOSE equivalency course and an Agile Project Management course. Temi also worked full-time and had family responsibilities.
Learn how Temi found success while earning his degree here.
Phillipa Ngaju Makobore
2020 alumna, Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering – Biomedical Engineering
While earning her engineering master’s degree online, Makobore made the most of her time at Purdue by working to solve a problem in her home country of Uganda, where one in ten children seek medical attention too late and require intravenous therapy. Makobore used her Purdue master’s program to advance an innovative Electronically Controlled Gravity Feed Infusion Set. The low-cost device, which could be a life-saving invention not only in Africa but worldwide, is designed to deliver intravenous fluids and drugs by controlling the flow rate based on feedback from a sensor. It is easy to operate and includes safety features such as alarms that sound if the fluid flow is too fast or slow, the fluid volume is too high or low, or a sensor is faulty. It runs on a battery that can be charged from a plug or solar power. While earning her online master’s, Makobore won two major international prizes, an Innovation Prize for Africa and a German-African Innovation Incentive Award.
To learn more about Makobore ’s story, click here.
Jessica Flemming
2020 alumna, Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering – Aeronautics and Astronautics
Flemming focused on sustainability throughout her Purdue online engineering graduate education. While earning her degree, she traveled to the arctic with a leadership program offered by the 2041 Foundation. The 2041 foundation works with corporations to support sustainability initiatives that reduce environmental impact and nurture leaders in corporate sustainability innovation, policy and education reform. Flemimng uses her passion for sustainability in her work as a product developer.
To learn more about Flemming’s story, click here.
David Price
Engineering Manager, General Electric Aviation
Graduated 2013
Interdisciplinary Engineering, Concentration in Engineering Management & Leadership
“After 20 years in the aviation and aerospace engineering industry, David Price decided to go back to school for a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Management and Leadership. The prestige of Purdue’s engineering programs made Purdue an obvious fit for acquiring advanced technical engineering skills, and the management and economics classes Price completed gave him a holistic perspective on engineering management. When Price was completing his degree, he worked for Honeywell Aerospace where he had risen to the level of being the global site leader for all aerospace engineering activities in Russia and Central Europe. Purdue’s program gave Price a stronger foundation in leading global teams, which ultimately enabled him to take his career to new heights. Now he works at General Electric Aviation as an engineering manager and as part of the engineering leadership team, overseeing several product lines and developing state-of-the-art flight management systems. By working to increase the precision of flight management systems, Price hopes to further improve safety of flight while also making it easier for mission-specific aircraft to complete, for instance, humanitarian missions.
“There is always so much to learn in this field, new technologies and new business approaches that are changing the landscape all the time,” Price said. “And I think there’s always a lot to learn from working with young students. I want to understand the perspectives that kids today have on the industry and where it can go in the future.”
"While Purdue has an amazing history and tradition of excellence, it's the present and future that excite me the most. I now feel a connection to an amazing talent pipeline to the future."
To learn more about Price’s story, click here.
Kyle Hummel
Senior Metallurgical Engineer, Contour Hardening, Inc.
Graduated 2015
Interdisciplinary Engineering
"I manage the quality department as well as develop our heat treat processes for new product (R&D) and help manage our continuous improvement initiatives."
"I took a broad range of classes over several different disciplines to help me become a well-rounded engineer. I also developed relationships with professors and other individuals within the program that have assisted me further in my career."
"I was unable to find any other programs like the Purdue EPE program. It is flexible, challenging, and relevant. When I think of a normal online program I think of a lot of reading and online quizzes and tests, but with Purdue you are taking current classes that are essentially the same as an on campus student, except with the added flexibility of watching lectures when it was most convenient. I was able to complete my degree with a newborn baby at home, so do not put it off until you think life will be less complicated!"
"The most beneficial aspect of an online degree is the flexibility. Being able to watch the lectures at convenient time was crucial."
"I believe that the Engineering master's degree is valuable because it conveys the importance of the technical aspect of the engineer's duties. Management skills are important, but if you have a solid technical background as well, it can make you a much more valuable engineer. Purdue engineers are top notch, and have earned the respect they receive worldwide."
Kris Young
Dealer Account Executive, Cummins Inc.
Graduated 2015
Dual Master of Science in Engineering & Master of Business Administration
"I maintain a healthy relationship and an open channel of communication to provide information, support and training regarding Cummins' products, tools, offerings, and services to On-highway dealers within the AZ/NM territory."
"I was previously in research and development and found myself using material I studied and learned during my degree in a daily basis. It made me much more proficient with a tool kit directly related to my field of work."
"The degree shows an added dedication to understanding the field as well as equips you with the foundational knowledge & tools to answer the questions and solve the problems you'll be up against on a daily basis. The flexible schedule was very beneficial, as well as the ability to re-watch lectures."
"The professors and courses are fantastic. Take courses that you have an interest in, regardless of difficulty, and ones that directly relate to your field. Try a semester with 1 less course than you think you can handle (1-2) to see how well you can manage time and stress. Then adjust."
"Being a Purdue Engineer means that I have been trained by some of the world's best engineers with cutting edge techniques, tools, and technologies. It also means that I can count on my education to pull through when it comes down to performing in a real-world situation."
Aeronautics & Astronautics
Collin Drake
2017 alumnus, Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics
While earning his master’s degree, Drake found that he could apply his education directly to his day-to-day responsibilities at work. After working a 12-hour day during the week, he would go home and study for classes. He even spent his weekends completing coursework. Though balancing the demands of work and school was a challenging experience, he said that it was ultimately well worth the long hours. Since graduating, Drake has earned multiple awards, including the National Aeronautic Association’s Robert J. Collier Trophy.
To learn more about Drake’s story, click here.
Christopher Trickle
Structural Design Engineer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Graduated 2015
Aeronautics & Astronautics
"Designer of Primary Wing Structure on Boeing 767-300F Freighters and KC-46 Tankers."
"I was able to directly apply the knowledge I gained in the classroom to solve real world problems and to address more complex and rigorous assignments earlier in my career."
"Master's from Purdue positively sets you apart from your colleagues, shows that you possess advanced knowledge in your field, and opens doors for you to advance your career."
"I enjoyed the synergy of learning hands-on at work and in the classroom at Purdue – I was able to immediately apply what I learned in class at in my daily position. It was sometimes challenging to balance the class workload with my job, but most professors were understanding and supportive."
"An online Master's in Engineering from Purdue will give you the opportunity to further develop your skill set as an Engineer and enable you to advance your career."
"Being a Purdue Engineer enables you to be an active part of making advances in your field and be at the forefront of your industry."