Pre-Career Work Opportunities
Internships
You can search for available internships by program type and by focus through the Center for Career Opportunities at Purdue.
Internships – Technology Companies
If you are interested in getting on-the-job experience with an Indiana-based, technology company, consider applying for the Interns for Indiana Program. The program aims to accelerate the growth of high-tech startups by seeding them with top-notch student interns. The companies provide students with a challenging, career-building experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. Already, hundreds of students have helped startups through their work in R&D projects in the areas of engineering, management, marketing, biology/life sciences and information technology/software development. Participating interns are awarded a scholarship of $500/semester and $4,500/summer. Students must be full-time, Purdue undergrads with a minimum 2.8 GPA, and be at least a first semester junior at the time the internship would begin. Before you apply, check to make sure the application window is open.
See: Interns for Indiana student works at startup researching cancer detection
See: More students than ever participating in Purdue professional practice programs
Internships – Research Oriented
- Cancer Prevention Internship Program (CPIP)
- Discovery Park Undergraduate Research Intern Program (DURI)
- Margo Katherine Wilke Undergraduate Research Internship (MKWURI)
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)
Co-Ops
If you want to rotate working with classroom study, consider one of the Office of Professional Practice Programs (Co-Ops) work sessions. Students start a 5-Session Co-Op after their first year or sophomore year, and complete four or five work sessions over 22 months with the same employer. Students start a 3-Session Co-Op for approximately 12months beginning in the fall, spring or summer of their junior year. Pay is approximately 60% of a bachelor’s starting salary for the first session, 75% for the third session, and 85% for the fifth session. Selection to the program depends upon the student’s academic achievement on campus within their home department (2.6 GPA minimum for the 3-year program/2.8 GPA minimum for the 5-year program) and their success during an on-campus interview with the prospective employer. Students must be invited to apply to the program. Contact a Co-Op coordinator to express your interest.
Part-Time Employment
Part-time jobs for students can be found at Purdue Student Employment Services and the Purdue Research Park Career Board. More of the jobs are located in West Lafayette., Ind., or the surrounding area. Purdue offers two separate work programs: Federal Work Study (FWS) and Job Location & Development (JLD). FWS is a federally funded financial aid program designed to help eligible students meet educational costs through the use of part-time employment. JLD locates employers and helps develop off-campus employment opportunities for students during and between periods of actual enrollment. Student eligibility for JLD is not based on the financial need or academic standing.
