This past spring break, OPP led 15 students to our nation’s capital to learn about STEM opportunities in the public sector. This inaugural study away program to Washington, D.C. included exciting stops at local landmarks like the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, and the White House, as well as industry visits to the NobleReach Foundation, Department of Transportation, Capitol Hill with Indiana Representative Jim Baird’s staff, Microsoft, the Pentagon, and more.

 

Sue Bayley, the coordinator for this trip and OPP’s Public Service Co-op and Internship Manager, explained the purpose of this unique opportunity and how students can bridge a connection between their professional experiences and academia. “The trip's objectives are to inspire and educate students about careers in public service, provide networking opportunities that could lead to internships, research collaborations, or future employment, and enhance their understanding of how engineering can be applied practically within the public and government adjacent start-up spaces,” Bayley explained. 

Alumni engagement was one of the focal points on the trip, allowing students to connect with fellow Boilermakers in the area, some of whom were seminar speakers this semester in OPP’s ENGR 103: Innovation in Public Service.

 

Patrick Thuss, a freshman in First Year Engineering, reflected on the opportunity to engage with numerous individuals in the field and how this exposure broadened his perspective on a future career. “I gained a new respect, appreciation, and excitement for public service. Meeting the people we met on the trip made public service career paths feel much more attainable. Furthermore, my respect for public servants grew immensely as we learned more about how the bureaucracy and divisions of the government are mostly people trying to make our country a better place for all of us. The experience thoroughly increased my drive to pursue a career in public service because it showed me how meaningful and impactful a career in public service can be,” Thuss said.  

 

Another significant part of the trip was the visit to the NobleReach Foundation, where students connected with Dr. Linda Bixby, Executive Vice President of Academic Partnerships; Taylor Moran, Manager of Academic Partnerships; and Glenn Gaffney, NobleReach Fellow.The NobleReach Foundation, a nonprofit organization uniting America’s best minds from idustry, academic,and government, has partnered with the Office of Professional Practice and the College of Engineering to introduce an Innovation in Public Service certificate. Launching next semester, this certificate program is designed to increase the number of engineering graduates entering the public service sector, contributing as technology leaders and innovators.

Alyssa Brewer, a senior at Purdue University majoring in Computer Engineering, regards this trip as one of her most significant experiences during her college years. As she reflected on the experience, she emphasized how it opened her eyes to a broader range of opportunities and allowed her to connect with new people. Additionally, as a senior, Brewer considered the influence the Innovation for Public Service Certificate will have on Boilermakers.  

 

“Outside of my studies at Purdue, I am a Pathways intern at NASA Glenn Research Center, so public service has always been at the forefront of my mind. This trip has allowed me to make meaningful contacts with people in my direct career paths, some of whom even have mutual acquaintances, which wasn't ever something I thought could happen to me. I believe that the upcoming certificate program will do wonders to address crucial issues that students and others across the country face in their daily lives and hopefully inspire others to follow in the path of public service,” Brewer said. 

 

In its ongoing commitment to providing exposure to diverse career opportunities, the Office of Professional Practice aims to continue fostering meaningful connections between Boilermakers and the world of public service for years to come.

 

Story by: Margaret Mowrer