Erica Rice

Major: Chemical Engineering

Hometown: Elgin, IL

I will be working for Weyerhaeuser Company in the Technical Co-Op Program. I obtained this position by interviewing through the Purdue Engineering Co-Op office. The Weyerhaeuser Technology Center is located in Federal Way, Washington, which is less than 15 minutes south of Seattle. The company is providing me with a car and a fully furnished apartment that is only a 4 minute drive from my job site!

The Purdue Engineering Co-Op entails a five-year school term instead of the standard four-year schedule. I will be working for Weyerhaeuser this summer, then alternating semesters after that will be school/work/school/work, etc until I have completed five work terms.

I am extremely excited to be living outside of the Midwest! I’m originally from Chicago, IL and I am looking forward to living close to the ocean! Besides working 40 hours/week, I will be catching up on some reading, possibly taking ballroom dance classes, and getting involved in a church community in or around Seattle.