ENGR 19400: Women in Engineering Seminar
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This class will help you get answers to many questions - questions that don't get answered in calculus or chemistry or physics. This is a class where you hear it "like it is" from College of Engineering women who are instructors, students and alums. In ENGR 19400, you will engage with the instructor and TAs - who are current undergraduate engineering students - to learn pro tips for success in Purdue Engineering. We discuss everything from academic success and time management to resume prep and interviewing techniques. You will also hear from dynamic engineering alumnae who talk about their career choices, their daily routines on the job, and their challenges and successes in their professional and personal lives. Speakers range from recent graduates to well-established corporate executives. They are working as Engineers, Analysts, Consultants, Doctors, Lawyers, Managers, and Professors. These exceptional alumnae come back to talk to you because they care. By sharing their experiences with you, they can provide an additional dimension to your college education. This course will inspire you, motivate you, and reinforce your decision to pursue engineering. An extra bonus is that you will be able to build your engineering community and make friends! ENGR 19400 is a 1 credit hour course that meets once a week. Offered Fall only for incoming Engineering students. In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance at vpec@purdue.edu or 765-494-5830. |
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Quotes from students previously enrolled in ENGR 19400:"Hearing the alumnae stories helped me see that there is not one path in engineering."
"ENGR 194 provided me with a community of people who could support me and friends I could study with."
"Hearing from successful women engineers and asking questions about their careers was really eye-opening. It helped me understand where I want to go with my life."
"The most beneficial aspect of ENGR 194 was seeing how I can make a difference in the lives of others through engineering, which is very important to me. Knowing I can fulfill my passion through my career is exciting!"
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Grades in ENGR 19400 are based on attendance, assignments, and short reflection papers.
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Meet the Instructors
 Suzanne Zurn-Birkhimer | Instructor
Dr. Zurn-Birkhimer is the Associate Director of the Women in Engineering Program and teaches the ENGR 19400 seminar. Here is her bio.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "The Women in Engineering Seminar is a unique opportunity for FYE students to meet some of Purdue's amazing alumnae. Students not only learn what being an engineer is all about, they also get valuable tips for perseverance and strategies for success from women who were once in their seats. Plus, they get to know their classmates and start building their community. What's not to love?!"
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 Bella Barney | Senior | Mechanical Engineering | Teaching Assistant
Bella is a senior in Mechanical Engineering pursuing a minor in Business Management. She is a member of Purdue's Honors College, including the Goss Scholars FYE track (ENGR 161/162) and the Women in Engineering M&M program. Outside engineering Bella loves outdoor activities (e.g., hiking, motorcycles) and works at the Co-Rec. Bella worked as a Powertrain Sourcing Intern at Polaris the summer of 2023 and will be returning for another internship at Polaris for the summer of 2024 as a Motorcycle Driveline Architect Intern.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "ENGR 194 enlightened me about potential career paths and what Purdue offers. The possibilities are endless! There were new Purdue alumni speakers almost every week, providing me with detailed information on different engineering disciplines. Insight from these speakers helped me choose which engineering was right for me!"
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 Keona Fielitz | Junior | Electrical & Computer Engineering | Teaching Assistant
Keona is a junior in Electrical Engineering. At Purdue, she is an active member of the Honors College, Purdue Club Tennis, and the IEEE Underwater Robot team. Outside of academics, Keona enjoys playing tennis, going to the Co-Rec, drinking coffee, and trying new things with friends through Purdue events on campus.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "I loved ENGR 194 because it provided me with support, guidance, and confidence coming into engineering. This course inspires students with powerful stories from successful Women in Engineering, which, in turn, helps them draft a career plan. It also helps them grow personally and professionally through the development of resume-building, networking, and interviewing skills. As a previous student and current TA for the class, I can confidently attest that ENGR 194 gives students a head-start in Purdue Engineering and campus life."
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 Ro Iyer | Junior | Mechanical Engineering | Teaching Assistant
Rohini is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering and looking to pursue a minor in Nuclear Engineering. Outside of Women in Engineering and academic commitments, she likes to skate, play soccer, and enjoy the outdoors.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "ENGR 194 is great because it gave me perspective into the steps taken by speakers to lead successful lives. This course provides so many resources students can take advantage of that it makes it very hard not to succeed. During classes, we constantly develop communication skills, and it helps to be surrounded by like-minded people who only want to grow their skill set."
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 Sydney Kroon | Senior | Civil Engineering | Teaching Assistant
Sydney is a senior in civil engineering with a structural concentration. She is involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Women in Engineering M&M program. The past two summers she has worked for Kiewit as a field engineering intern and ARCO/Murray as a project manager intern. Outside of academics, she competes in cross country and track meets with the Purdue Run Club.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "ENGR 19400 is great because it provided me with resources I didn't initially know I needed to succeed. In this course, students will work on developing professional skills along with interpersonal skills. This course forms part of the foundation you will need to be a successful engineer, regardless of specialty."
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 Alanna Nash | Senior | Mechanical Engineering | Teaching Assistant
Alanna is pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Management. She also is involved in a 5-session co-op experience with Closure Systems International. She just finished her last rotation over the summer, with plans to work in D.C. for summer of 2025. In addition to being involved in the WiE program, she also is a peer counselor at the Office of Future Engineers, where she enjoys working with prospective students and is a TA for ME 263 which is the Sophomore Design class that all ME students take.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "ENGR 194 allowed me to not only build up connections with other female engineers, but it gave me confidence. The class and hearing from the alums provided me with support in knowing that I made the right decision to not only come to Purdue but be an engineer whose voice and opinion matter."
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 Danielle Norrito | Senior | Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | Teaching Assistant
Danielle is a senior studying Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. She has spent two summers interning at GE Aerospace as an Additive Manufacturing Intern and an Engineering Material Systems Intern. She spent last summer interning at Vertex as a Program Engineering Intern. Danielle studied abroad in Toulouse, France for the Spring 2024 semester. At Purdue, she is involved in Phi Sigma Rho Sorority and Purdue Space Program. Outside of these commitments, she enjoys working out, reading, or relaxing with a TV show.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "ENGR 194 helped me find my footing in a new environment. The class helps students learn how to be successful in the classroom, outside the classroom, and in the future. This is a huge opportunity for personal growth when engaging with fellow students, faculty, and women in the workforce. The class ensures that students are provided with resources and opportunities that they should take advantage of."
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 Olivia Vassios | Junior | Mechanical Engineering | Teaching Assistant
Olivia is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering and pursuing a minor in Management. She has spent two summers interning for Allison Transmission as a Regulatory Compliance Engineer and a Test Engineer. Outside of classes, Olivia is the president of Phi Sigma Rho Sorority and is a member of the Women in Engineering Program. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, and watching Purdue basketball.
Why ENGR 19400 is great "ENGR 194 is great because it surrounds you with a room full of smart and supportive women. It gives you the opportunity to connect with other women in FYE and exposes you to all the different possibilities that a degree in engineering opens you up to. This class reminded me that you are not alone and there are others willing to help you be successful during the start of your college career."
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