Launch Point

By Aleena Shinde

If someone had told me a week of summer engineering camp could feel like an entire semester packed into six days, I would have laughed. But after attending the Purdue STEP (Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects) Program, I totally get it. This wasn’t just a summer camp; it was a crash course in engineering, teamwork, independence, and dorm life.

I met peers from all over the country, and I got lucky with some really great suitemates. Sharing a bathroom with three other girls (who, like me, all needed time for showers, hair, and makeup) was… an adjustment, especially coming from the comfort of my own bathroom at home. But somehow, that became one of the bonding points. We figured it out. We laughed. We shared stories. It was chaotic and fun in a “this is real college life” kind of way.

What really made the week unforgettable was my lab team. I couldn’t have asked for a better group. We worked hard, communicated well, and had a blast building a roller coaster, circuit kits, robotics and functioning laser tag arcade game. Winning the arcade competition felt surreal, and taking home a mini Pac-Man arcade as a prize was the icing on the cake.

I’ll admit, the first lecture threw me into panic mode. We jumped straight into intense physics and math, and not having taken physics in over a year made me feel behind. But by the second day, as we shifted into design and hands-on electrical work, I started to find my footing. There’s only so much instruction you can cram into a week, but it was impressive how much we were exposed to and the autonomy provided.

Between packed lectures, labs, engineering discipline events, and Purdue traditions, the days were long and exhausting. I needed two full days to recover (and I’m not even counting my canceled flight and 6 a.m. backup!). But despite the sleep deprivation, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Even the cafeteria food, which I fully expected to dread, was actually not bad. Pro tip: packing night snacks and candy just in case? Excellent decision.

Looking back, STEP was more than a program. It was a preview of college life, a reality check on the speed and depth of engineering courses, and a space to meet future classmates and collaborators. It confirmed for me that Purdue Honors Engineering is the real deal and solidified my future aspiration as an engineer. Sure, it’ll be tough. Sure, I’ll have to keep pushing myself in math and physics. But I’ve had a taste of the environment and I’m ready to rise to it.

I came home with a prize, new friends, unforgettable memories, and a stronger sense of purpose. And honestly, what more could you ask for from one amazing week?

* Thank you to all the Purdue STEP administration, interns and peers that helped made the experience a truly memorable one.