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Update and Lessons Learned on INDOT’s Deployment of New Progressive Project Delivery Methods (CM/GC and Progressive Design Build)
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Mapping Landslides in the Hoosier National Forest and an INDOT Case Study on SR 145 in Dubois County
Get PDFEmpowering Tech Professionals: Mentorship and Interview Preparation in the Face of Industry Layoffs
Get PDFIn recent years, the Information Technology (IT) industry has witnessed significant turmoil, marked by waves of mass layoffs that have left numerous skilled professionals grappling with job loss and uncertainty. The year 2023 alone saw over 250,000 tech workers in U.S.-based companies lose their livelihoods due to corporate restructuring, with renowned giants like Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta being forced to trim their workforce. This unsettling trend highligts a pressing need to support those affected and empower them to regain stability in their careers.
Against this backdrop, I, an experienced technical program manager and software engineer with a background at Google and Microsoft, embarked on a mission to leverage my industry expertise to help fellow professionals weather the storm. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Purdue University, my research is centered on project management education and multicultural team dynamics—themes that lend profound resonance to the endeavor I embarked upon - to provide targeted support to those impacted by offering free-of-cost interview preparation, conducting mock interviews, and facilitating connections with potential employers.
From January to April 2023, I dedicated over 125 hours to mentoring 32 individuals who had been affected by the industry\u27s instability. These professionals represented a diverse spectrum of roles and experiences, all united by their desire to reintegrate into the job market successfully. Leveraging my insights as a technical program manager, I tailored interview preparation sessions to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to excel in high-stakes interviews. As a result of this intervention, 18 of my mentees have already secured new positions—a testament to the transformative power of targeted mentorship.
Beyond securing employment, the impact of this initiative extends to the preservation of livelihoods for those on H1B visas, who would otherwise face the prospect of leaving the country due to job loss. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated, as it reflects a triumph of community support and mentorship over adversity. This experience highlights the profound impact that individual industry professionals can have on reshaping lives and careers during times of crisis. This experience has not only reaffirmed my commitment to academic pursuits but has also kindled an enduring passion for empowering fellow professionals through mentorship and tangible support. By sharing my experience, I hope to inspire others to embrace the transformative power of mentorship and community support
Wolf Park, Pawsing for Impactful Beginnings: The Role of Community Engagement and Education in Service-Learning
Get PDFOur team’s endeavor, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Kristen Bellisario, encapsulates a service-learning journey with Wolf Park, a sanctuary dedicated to the conservation and research of wolves and wildlife. Through immersive experiences, community outreach, and collaborative partnerships, our team sought to amplify public understanding of wildlife conservation and inspire a sense of responsibility among participants. This essay examines the impact of our initiatives on both the community and ourselves, emphasizing the transformative potential of education, engagement, and community partnerships in effecting positive societal change. Our team advocates for sustained support for wildlife conservation efforts and underscore the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration and student empowerment in addressing conservation challenges. By sharing our experiences and insights, we seek to inspire others to embark on similar endeavors and to contribute to the collective effort to cultivate a more sustainable future for wildlife and the environment. Ultimately, our project at Wolf Park highlights the power of servicelearning as a catalyst for both personal growth and community transformation, driving collective action toward ecological sustainability
Toxic Waste Dumps and Intersectionality
Get PDFBeginning in 2023, I started conducting environmental sociology research in Northwest Indiana communities because I wanted to apply what I had been learning in my sociology and behavioral science courses to real community problems. I that found toxic waste dumps (waste dumps that contain waste that is hazardous and require mandates established environmental regulations to ensure public safety) are disproportionately located in Northwest Indiana communities of color and poor whites, and I uncovered severe negative health effects that result from toxic waste dumps, in addition to the inequality faced by the populations impacted. I then conducted interviews in the community with an environmental activist who has done extensive work on site with toxic waste dumps in Northwest Indiana. This allowed me to uncover relevant information that has not yet been reported. Additionally, I reviewed data sets of toxic waste dump chemical emissions, census records, and population demographics. These efforts have filled in gaps in awareness of what is contained in toxic waste dumps in Northwest Indiana and who is impacted, expanding on existing research of intersectionality, sacrifice communities, and environmental racism. I am working with my faculty mentor, Dr. Kim Scipes, to present this information widely, include it in an environmental resource bank he is assembling, and continue studies through two additional environmental sociology projects. Lastly, I am identifying a Northwest Indiana community partner to collaborate with for a Purdue Service-Learning Grant to increase public awareness of sacrifice communities in Northwest Indiana and new ways to turn the toxic chemicals we produce through industrial activity into non-toxic materials
