Hey Reader,

Yudi here,

Quick announcement:

When Paridha was deciding where to pursue her master’s, she had options many students would instantly accept.

Dartmouth.
Johns Hopkins.
USC.
And Purdue.

Choosing between them wasn’t obvious.

Instead of only looking at rankings or brand names, she stepped back and asked a different question:

"Which program will actually help shape the career I want?"

She came from a mechanical engineering background and had already worked for a year as an application consultant, gaining exposure to client work and stakeholder management.

She wanted a program that would let her combine engineering with business and operational thinking.

That’s what led her to the Purdue Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program.

Arriving in the US During a Tough Job Market

Paridha landed in the US in Fall 2024.

And like most international students, the job hunt started almost immediately.

At first, she followed the strategy many students try. Apply everywhere.

Upload resumes to portals.
Submit applications daily.

Hope something clicks.

But after weeks of doing this, she noticed something.

Nothing was moving. So she decided to rethink the strategy.

The Shift That Changed Her Job Search

Instead of sending more applications, she began focusing on conversations.

She started reaching out to people on LinkedIn who were already working in roles similar to the ones she was applying for.

Not asking for referrals.

Just learning.

What does the role actually involve?
What skills matter most?
How do people transition into these positions?

Those conversations helped her refine how she positioned her background.

She realized that her experience in client communication, process work, and operations thinking could actually align with roles beyond the obvious TPM or product roles.

Eventually, she came across a role titled Production Engineering Intern.

Most students might skip that title.

But she read the full job description.

And realized it connected directly to her mechanical engineering background and her interest in operations optimization.

She applied.

That opportunity eventually led to a Production Engineering internship at Panasonic, which later extended into a co-op role working on process and operations optimization.​
​

What Paridha eventually figured out is something I see with many students.

Most people assume job hunting is just about sending more applications.

But in reality it’s about understanding how hiring actually works.

How to position your experience.
How to reach the right people.
How to prepare for interviews before they happen.

These are the exact frameworks I teach inside my Job Hunting Accelerator, where we break down networking, resume positioning, and interview preparation step by step for international students navigating the US job market.

What Purdue MEM Added to the Journey

While her effort drove the search, Paridha often mentioned the support she received inside the Purdue MEM ecosystem.

Career advisor Katie helped students iterate their resumes and run mock interviews.

Faculty like Karen guided course selection so students didn’t randomly pick subjects that didn’t support their goals.

The program also encourages students to participate in real industry experiences, where students work on project-based challenges connected with companies.

That practical exposure helped Paridha frame her experiences more clearly when speaking with recruiters.

Small Programs That Make a Big Difference

During our conversation, she also mentioned something that most students don’t notice while researching universities.

Before arriving in the US, she signed up for Purdue’s International Friendship Program.

This program connects international students with local host families who help them settle into life in a new country.

For Paridha, that meant having people who helped with everyday things like groceries, settling in, and simply having a place to spend weekends when campus felt quiet.

Over time, those hosts became something more than helpers.

They became family.

The MEM program also runs reflective sessions like vision board workshops, where students map out what they want their careers to look like.

It may sound simple.

But those exercises help students stay intentional about the roles and industries they pursue instead of applying randomly.

The Reality Behind the Journey

During this time, Paridha wasn’t just studying and applying for jobs.

She was also balancing three on-campus jobs.

All while staying within the strict 20-hour work limit for international students.

And yes, there were moments when the pressure felt overwhelming.

She openly shared that there were days she cried during the process.

Not because she wanted to quit.

But because the journey of studying abroad often includes emotional pressure that people rarely talk about.

What Future Students Can Take From Her Journey

Looking back, Paridha’s advice to incoming students is simple.

Don’t come with a rigid plan.

Stay flexible.

Many students arrive with one very specific job title in mind.

But opportunities often appear in places you didn’t initially expect.

The key is connecting your experiences into a coherent story rather than chasing every opportunity.

I also share a lot of these insights in real time on Instagram.
Short breakdowns on immigration news, job search strategies and life in the U.S.

You can follow here → @yudijclips​

And if you’re planning a master’s in the US and want a program that combines engineering, management, mentorship, and industry exposure, it may be worth exploring Purdue’s MEM program.

Watch Paridha’s full conversation here → Linked here.

Explore Purdue MEM Program here.

— Yudi J