{"id":12304,"date":"2026-10-06T13:47:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T13:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/online\/?p=12304"},"modified":"2026-10-06T13:47:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T13:47:17","slug":"engineering-the-resurrection-of-a-dream-with-purdues-online-doctor-of-engineering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/online\/engineering-the-resurrection-of-a-dream-with-purdues-online-doctor-of-engineering\/","title":{"rendered":"Engineering the resurrection of a dream with Purdue’s online Doctor of Engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Sarah Blakeslee decided to pursue engineering, she thought her dream of earning a doctorate was dead. Decades later, a LinkedIn post changed her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, she is immersed in Purdue University\u2019s online Doctor of Engineering<\/a> (DEng) program and researching a new suspension process that will benefit her company for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Blakeslee, that post was revolutionary. Before that moment, she thought a doctorate could only be achieved in person, on a campus. She worried time spent pursuing innovation in industry \u2014 as opposed to in an academic setting \u2014 would put her at a disadvantage. She had no idea that her experience would be welcomed as a bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was just a little banner that said, \u2018Doctor of Engineering program.\u2019 It was brand new. There was the first class, the first cohort, in their first semester. And it was one of the easiest decisions ever to apply,\u201d Blakeslee said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore Purdue’s 100% online Doctor of Engineering program<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n Request Info<\/a>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The death of a dream<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blakeslee planned to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in biology and work in academia long before she graduated from high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a young Sarah, my first career ambition was to be a research biologist, and my ultimate study subject would be lizards in Australia \u2013 which is the most \u2018out there\u2019 dream ever,\u201d Blakeslee said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in 2000, as she was working on her master\u2019s in biology, she went to a seminar featuring a civil engineer who was working to convert elephant dung into clean fuel for battery cells. She left the seminar convinced she would have loved engineering, but since she was so close to completing her master\u2019s in biology, it was too late to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI felt like I maybe missed my calling,” Blakeslee said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She graduated in the middle of a recession. While she found a part-time job at an environmental nonprofit, Blakeslee struggled to find a full-time role. When an engineering position finally became available at SRAM, which designs and manufactures bicycle parts, Blakeslee seized the opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI thought, \u2018I’m just going to put everything I can into getting this job,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She researched the field and discovered ways her biology and statistical knowledge were transferable to the role. She got the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next few years, her duties took her to Taiwan about 30 times to collaborate with teams there. While there, she saw design engineers in action.<\/p>\n\n\n

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I thought, \u2018That looks perfect for what I want to do. I want to be the one that is thinking through the analytical challenges, coming up with the designs and being able to apply my engineering knowledge,\u2019<\/p>\n\n <\/blockquote>\n

Sarah blakeslee<\/p>\n

Purdue online Doctor of Engineering student<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Seeing those design engineers at work inspired her to earn the master\u2019s in mechanical engineering degree that unlocked her current role as a design engineer at SRAM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really loved my job, but the thought of that dream of PhD-level work or doctorate-level work was gone,\u201d Blakeslee said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Then she saw the LinkedIn post for the DEng program. A week later, she applied to the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hadn’t been researching doctorate programs because I thought that dream was dead,\u201d she said. \u201cBut Purdue is such a reputable brand that I knew this would be a program that had the academic rigor and reputation that some online programs do not have. So, I was like, if I’m going to do this, this is the program that I have to do it with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Through Purdue’s Doctor of Engineering, Blakeslee found an outlet for her dream of pursuing academia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Getting to explore Purdue’s campus and see Purdue’s distinguished engineering legacy firsthand helped Blakeslee feel connected.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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She hopes her research can help her company develop more intelligent systems.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A dream comes true<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The program\u2019s online format allowed her to continue to live and work in Colorado Springs, Colorado, while studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt’s been a really fun program to be part of,\u201d Blakeslee said. \u201cI feel like I’m just starting to get deeper into what my actual research focus will be, so it’s kind of exciting but daunting at the same time, if that makes sense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since starting her academic journey, Blakeslee has received much support. Her research advisor has been instrumental in connecting her to people she needs to know on campus. And her professors tend to pair online candidates with on-campus students for group projects. At every turn, Blakeslee\u2019s work background is welcomed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI found there is a need for people with industry experience within that research community,\u201d Blakeslee said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn’t feel like they were shunning me because I wasn’t an academic, because I was somebody in industry. It felt like it was an asset, that they appreciated my perspective. I would say that that network is continuing to evolve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blakeslee said her understanding of mechatronic systems and control theory is helping to bridge the knowledge gap between her and the electrical and software engineers she works with. Her research into ways she can help her company design \u201cintelligent mechatronic systems as they pertain to bicycles\u201d is advancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no roadmap for the research,\u201d Blakeslee said.\u201d It’s new. It’s something I’ve never done before. So yeah, it’s pushing myself in ways that are very challenging, but at the same time, super rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone’s journey is different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Purdue\u2019s online Doctor of Engineering at the program\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Sarah Blakeslee decided to pursue engineering, she thought her dream of earning a doctorate was dead. Decades later, a LinkedIn post changed her life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":12315,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[],"area-of-study":[11],"person":[74],"class_list":["post-12304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-student-success","area-of-study-engineering","person-students"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t