Career readiness
Fueling career-readiness is central to the Indianapolis experience. Through embedded professional development seminars, hands-on skills training and world-class education, students are prepared for early access to internships, co-ops and research opportunities alongside industry partners. Here we are shaping the workforce of the future.
WHY INDIANAPOLIS?
All students will have access to industry-focused experiential learning that connects classroom knowledge with real-world practice. The College of Engineering and College of Science in Indianapolis have launched a unique guaranteed work experience program for newly admitted students. The program provides a structured, year-by-year roadmap and checklist that supports students’ ability to build skills, connections and professional confidence needed to secure meaningful work experience. All other academic programs in Indianapolis offer a highly curated cohort-based approach to experiential learning embedded into curriculum. In these programs, students benefit from individualized guidance, close faculty engagement, and customized pathways that connect them to practicum experiences, research, internships and industry partnerships aligned with their specific interests and career aspirations.
*Guaranteed Work Experience Program is voluntary; students are not required to complete the experience for degree completion at Purdue University.
Purdue University thrives on strong partnerships with industry, community organizations, startups and alumni. These connections create opportunities for students to learn, grow and launch their careers while giving partners meaningful ways to shape the next generation of talent.
From day one, students benefit from Purdue’s bold expansion into the city by gaining direct access to leading partners in healthcare, tech, biotech, motorsports and advanced manufacturing.
Indianapolis Career Council
Purdue is strengthening early career readiness for students in Indianapolis through the newly formed Indianapolis Career Council, a cross-campus collaboration bringing together career services, experiential learning programs, and academic units.
Student Resources
The Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) supports students in preparing for and securing internships as well as full-time employment. Services include job search assistance, résumé development and interview preparation. Employers can partner with CCO to promote job opportunities, participate in career fairs and connect with students in various recruiting activities.
The Office of Professional Practice (OPP) leads Purdue’s nationally recognized co-op program, which allows students to alternate semesters between full-time study and full-time work, gaining deep, hands-on experience in their field. OPP also oversees the GEARE (Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education) program, which combines domestic internships, study abroad and global team projects to give engineering students a unique international perspective. In addition, OPP facilitates internships and provides first-year seminars that foster early student engagement and employer partnerships.
The Office of Experiential Education (ExEd) provides leadership and coordination for experiential learning opportunities across Purdue. These include research, service-learning, global experiences, project-based coursework and other hands-on activities that enhance career readiness. ExEd helps students connect academic learning with practical application while building professional skills. Employers can collaborate with ExEd to design and support experiential learning opportunities.
The Data Mine is open to students of any major and background who want to build data science skills. Students gain hands-on experience with computational tools for representing, extracting, manipulating, interpreting, transforming, and visualizing data—including large-scale data sets—while learning to effectively communicate insights. The program welcomes beginners as well as advanced learners and provides an environment where students can grow their skills collaboratively.
University Residences at Purdue University in Indianapolis offers affordable, comfortable and convenient housing for interns at LUX on Capitol, whether you’re here for the summer or the academic year. Our spaces provide a great place to live, study and connect with fellow interns while staying close to work and campus.
Become a partner today!