OPP Courses
The Office of Professional Practice offers many classes that help students prepare to participate in our programs and complete their plans of study. Below, you will find each course that is offered by the office along with a description that details what to expect out of each course.
This course will introduce students to semiconductor technology and the broad range of opportunities within the semiconductor industry. Speakers from some of the largest companies in the world including Apple, Tesla, Intel and others will engage students on a weekly basis. Students in the course will develop their personal networks while being presented with resources and opportunities to prepare for exciting careers within the semiconductor industry. Topics covered include logic microprocessors, sustainable manufacturing processes, auto industry, digital healthcare technology, memory technology and more. Offered in the Fall and Spring.
This course is open to all students in the College of Engineering, School of Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Physics & Math.
Fall 2025 Flyer - Changing the World with Chips
Fall 2025 Flyer - Changing the World with Chips (Online)
These courses are available to first-year students and aims to prepare students for successful co-op or internship experiences. In the course, students will develop a resume, cover letter, elevator pitch, interview skills and a LinkedIn profile. They will have the opportunity to connect with engineering student mentors who have already gained professional experience. Additionally, students will hear from several industry speakers on topics such as organizational culture, building a professional networking, creating effective working relationships, working effectively across cultures and more. Offered in the Fall for West Lafayette and Fall/Spring for Indianapolis.
Fall 2025 Flyer - FYE Professional Development (West Lafayette)
Fall 2025 Flyer - Intro to Professional Practice (Indianapolis)
Fall 2025 Flyer - CS 190: Intro to Professional Practice in Computer Science (Indianapolis)
This course will serve to enhance students professional development and prepare course participants for careers in the tech industry and Silicon Valley. This is an embedded Spring 2025 course with travel over spring break to network with employers and Purdue alumni in Silicon Valley. Students will complete assignments to enhance their professional skills and have the benefit of hearing from several industry speakers to develop an understanding of how to successful compete for opportunities in the tech industry. This course has an additional fee of roughly $2,600 for costs associated with the trip with ~$1,000 in expenses for other expenses including airfare, personal travel and some meals. Offered in the Spring 2025.
Spring 2025 Flyer - Intro to Silicon Valley & Tech Industry
Click here for more information on the course and how to apply.
Students must apply and be accepted then pay deposit by November 8th. Questions - contact Patrick Francis - patrickf@purdue.edu
This course will serve to enhance career development in the pharmaceutical industry. Speakers will regularly attend sharing on different topics to inform and prepare students for interns, co-op positions and jobs in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Offered in the Spring.
This course is geared toward FYE and sophomore engineering students, in addition to BSPS students, as well as other majors from the College of Science, and College of Engineering.
Spring 2025 Flyer - Intro to Pharma Careers & Drug Development
There is a great need for technical know-how within local government, federal government, and government agencies. This course will introduce a wide range of career opportunities for engineers within the public sector, while engaging with guest speakers on interesting topics. Students will build their network and learn about opportunities to develop skills for successful careers impacting U.S. policy. This course will be the gateway for a new certificate program in Innovation and Public Service to be launched in Fall 2024. Students taking this course will have earned credit toward the new certificate program. Offered in the Spring.
This course is open to all students in the College of Engineering. Students interested in learning more about the Engineering in Public Service Program are encouraged to complete this interest form.
The United States Departments of Energy, Defense and Homeland Security play important roles in ensuring the security of our nation. These agencies ensure safety in transportation security environments; organize, deploy and supply our military; maintain stewardship of our nuclear arsenal; and develop and deploy our cybersecurity strategies, among setting the vision for advancing state-of-the-art solutions for pandemics, computing, energy, climate, and other advanced engineering challenges. There is an impending shortage of domestic U.S. talent and future workforce for addressing critical skills in these areas. As result, there are new opportunities for Purdue students to learn more and establish exciting and fulfilling careers in this sector. As part of Purdue’s national security priority, we are deepening our relationships with all of these agencies. This one-credit seminar course will feature presentations by Purdue faculty and invited world-class researchers who work for the Departments of Energy, Defense and Homeland Security. These presentations will introduce topics related to the complex intersection of engineering, policy, and government research, and will demonstrate the many exciting opportunities Boilermakers have to work on these topics. Offered in the Fall.
The course will be taught in synchronous, online mode, which means online discussions will be led by researchers from the Army Research Lab, Sandia National Labs, and the Department of Homeland Security.
This course will introduce students to the technology and innovation that impacts the future of our communities. Intended topics include space habitats, electrification of roadways, the design and inspection of infrastructure (using AI, VR, machine learning, etc.), environmental disasters and public health, automation systems for buildings, and more! Speakers from companies such as Johnson Controls, Collins Engineers, Thornton Tomasetti, and others will guest-lecture on how technology and innovation will impact the way we live. Students in this course will develop their personal networks while being presented with resources and opportunities to prepare for exciting careers. Offered in the Fall.
The Office of Professional Practice is excited to offer a 1-credit professional development course specifically for the inaugural class of Lilly Scholars during the Fall 2023 semester. All Lilly Scholars are encouraged to enroll to engage in weekly seminars led by industry partners and professional staff designed to introduce a variety of career readiness tools for Lilly Scholars at Purdue. Offered in the Fall.
Fall 2025 Flyer - Lilly Scholars
These courses are available to engineering and polytechnic students participating in Purdue’s co-op program. Students can take a seminar course immediately upon return from a co-op work session. Students will network with other co-op students, share and learn about work experiences. Students will also focus on topics relevant to their professional development./p>
This course is required for students participating in the GEARE program. Students take this course prior to the international study abroad or internship experience. Students will be introduced to students with previous international experience, prepare for the logistics of travelling abroad and will begin working on global competency development. This course meets a requirement for the Global Engineering Studies Minor.
This course is required for students participating in the GEARE program. Students take this course online during their international experience. Students will participate in activities designed to increase their engagement with the local culture and reflect upon their experiences. They will be paired with cultural mentor at Purdue who will provide feedback and support throughout their time abroad. This course meets a requirement for the Global Engineering Studies Minor.
This course is required for students participating in the GEARE program. Students take this course after completing their international experience for the GEARE program. Students will serve as mentors for students enrolled in ENGR 29700. They will share and learn about international experiences from fellow students in the course and continue developing their global competency skills. Students will summarize their experiences through poster or multimedia presentations. This course meets a requirement for the Global Engineering Studies Minor.
Students will complete an engineering project with global organizations or students from international partner institutions. The work may be completed remotely or in-person. Completion of this course will fulfill a requirement for the Global Engineering Studies Minor.