Hi! I’m Arnav, a senior studying mechanical engineering. I’m interested in the intersection of design engineering, manufacturability, and the business decisions that connect the two. I’ve gained experience across multiple industries and developed a cross-functional perspective on how engineering decisions ripple into operations, supply chain, and commercial outcomes.

My favorite industry work experience was definitely my time at General Motors. I grew up admiring cars all my life for their aesthetics and performance, and this felt like a dream come true. Something I’d tell students seeking work experience is to reach out to people who work in fields that excite you, because you never know what doors that could open.

Paige Bryan is a student at Purdue University studying mechanical engineering with minors in Computer Science and Communications. Through internships with ExxonMobil, John Deere, NASA, and Blue Origin, she has worked on projects ranging from mechanical design to autonomous systems and robotics. Outside of her technical work, Paige is involved in several organizations at Purdue, including Engineering Student Council (PESC), Mechanical Engineering Ambassadors (PMEA), College of Engineering Ambassadors, Dean’s Leadership Scholars, and Women in Mechanical Engineering (WiME).

Bridget O’Donnell is a junior from Overland Park, KS, studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Design & Innovation. This past summer, she worked at Intuitive Surgical as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern designing and improving manufacturing processes, tooling, and assembly methods for new robotic surgical instruments. Previously, she spent two summers at Webco Manufacturing, first as a Robotics Engineering Intern programming and simulating robotic welding systems, and later as a Mechanical Engineering Intern designing weld fixtures for automated fabrication of large-scale metal structures and supporting process improvements on the production floor.

At Purdue, Bridget has conducted humanoid robotics research in the TRACE Lab and serves as Professional Development Committee Head for the Purdue Mechanical Engineering Ambassadors. She is also a ME 290 Mentor and member of Kappa Alpha Theta. In her free time, Bridget enjoys hiking, fishing, crafts, volunteering, and being a huge KC Chiefs fan.

Through Industry Insights, Bridget hopes to share what she has learned from her internship and recruiting experiences to help other students navigate the internship search, prepare for interviews, connect with helpful people and resources, and explore different career paths within mechanical engineering.

Caroline is a senior in mechanical engineering. While at Purdue she has completed 3 co-op rotations and went to Italy through the GEARE program. She has been a GEARE Ambassadors Director of Community Engagement, an OPP Ambassador, ENGR 161/162 Peer Mentor, ME 290 Peer Mentor, and is in the Run Club.

Favorite industry work experience:

This summer I completed my last co-op rotation at R.A. Jones by working on an assembly for an aerosol packaging machine. I gained experience in developing a clean-sheet design, rapid prototyping, and completing a root cause analysis to identify areas for improvement. I was able to go through all the stages of the design process to see my design come to life!

I’m a senior in Mechanical engineering, graduating this December.  I’m originally from Hillsville, VA, a small town in the southwestern corner of the state.  Hobbies of mine include all things outdoors (disc golf, hiking, biking, camping), as well woodcarving!

My academic experience includes being a past mentor for PPA, a current peer mentor for ME 290, and have been a TA for ME 164/297 going on 6 semesters.  During my Freshman and Sophomore years, I was involved with Purdue Lunabotics as well as Formula SAE, later transitioning into an Undergraduate Research role with Zucrow Laboratories during my Junior year, working with Rotational Detonation Engines.

My industry experience includes internships with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (Regional Quality, Akron, OH), Carrier Transicold (Product Engineering, Athens, GA), a co-op with Collins aerospace (Production support, Middletown, CT), then finally an internship with Pratt & Whitney (Bearings and Seals Analysis, East Hartford, CT).   Upon graduation, I’ll be joining RTX full time in the Engineering Leadership Development Program, where I’ll have the opportunity to rotate between the three Business Units of RTX anywhere in the country!

I am a senior year student with industry experience through internships over the last 2 summers. I was a manufacturing intern in summer 2025 at Nestle USA, frozen foods facility, and this summer I gained construction management experience as a mechanical engineering intern at Larsen & Toubro (construction EPC). I hope to share my experience in getting and making the most out of these opportunities with other students looking to do the same. Drop by my office hours if you want help perfecting your elevator pitch, preparing for interviews or anything else related to making the most out of Purdue’s many industry connections. 

Vansh Gupta is a junior in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue with interests in motorsports, manufacturing, and design. He interned with KPIT Technologies at CNH Industrial and is involved in Excalibur Racing and Pioneers at Purdue. Students can connect with him about engineering internships, hands-on projects, and campus involvement.

Hi! My name is Will Kramer and I’m a Senior in Mechanical Engineering from Kennesaw, Georgia. While at Purdue I’ve held two summer internships, one working R&D for VERO Biotech and another doing RD&E Design for Medline. On campus, I’m a peer mentor for ME 290, a College of Engineering Ambassador, and a Lead Ambassador for Purdue Executives in Residence (EiR).  I’m excited to help answer all your questions and truly hope you’ll take advantage of all that Industry Insights has to offer. 

Hello! My name is Rishi Lalchand and I am a senior studying Mechanical Engineering. I was born in the US Virgin Islands and have also lived in Alaska, the Cayman Islands, and India. I’ve completed two co-op terms on production engineering teams at Toyota and a supply chain internship at PepsiCo, so I especially enjoy working with students exploring careers in manufacturing, operations, and supply chain. On campus, I work with the Purdue Professional Practice Ambassadors, helping students who are interested in the co-op program find industry opportunities and make the most of them. I’m excited for the chance to support the wider School of ME in a similar way! Outside of school, I love to read, cook new foods, and hike, and I’ve been trying to get into rock climbing this semester!