As the senior manager of Career Services for Purdue University in Indianapolis, Katie Nelson is passionate about empowering students to navigate their career journeys. Growing up in a family of educators, Nelson was drawn to education early on, but it wasn’t until her time as a peer advisor during college that she found her calling in career services. There, she helped fellow students explore their interests and craft their career paths, leading her to eventually pursue a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration.

Before joining Purdue, Nelson worked in the Career and Professional Success office at Butler University. “I saw the excitement happening with Purdue,” Nelson recalls. “I attended a public university, and there’s something about public institutions and the students they serve that has always appealed to me. Serving the greater good and serving the state—it just felt like a natural fit.”

Now leading the Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) at Purdue in Indianapolis (part of Purdue’s World Readiness Programs), Nelson is focused on extending the comprehensive career services offered at the West Lafayette campus to Purdue students in Indianapolis. These services range from one-on-one career coaching to hosting career events including the inaugural Engineering and Tech Connect Career Fair.

"A major part of my role includes driving our employer and alumni engagement strategy,” Nelson explains, "We also want to make sure that students are equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their career goals."

Enthusiastic about building strong connections between Purdue’s Indianapolis location and employers, Nelson works to create opportunities for students to gain meaningful experiences. “We’re helping to prepare our students early, so they feel empowered to find opportunities in Indianapolis and have access to great employers,” she says.

Nelson believes the skills employers look for today go beyond technical knowledge. “Curiosity and the courage to take risks, even if it means failing, are key traits employers seek,” she notes. “Eagerness to learn, ask questions and contribute ideas can help students stand out.”

Looking ahead, Nelson is excited to continue developing partnerships within the Purdue community and beyond, while finding new ways to support students’ career readiness. “There’s so much happening here, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” she says. Nelson’s commitment to student success and her innovative approach to career services make her an integral part of Purdue’s efforts to bring the value and impact of Purdue University education to Indianapolis.