When people think about the Month of May in Indiana, they usually think about fast cars, race day traditions and the excitement of the Indy 500.

But behind every lap is an entire team of people working across Indiana’s advanced industries to develop and test the technology, make and move things around the country (and the world), analyze data and make decisions that bring race day to life.

Modern racing depends on advanced industries — and many of the careers that help power race day are the same careers helping shape Indiana’s future every day.

Whether you’re interested in hands-on work, problem-solving, creativity or technology, there are many ways to be part of industries like these right here in Indiana.

Engineering

From designing vehicle systems to improving performance and safety, engineers help turn ideas into reality. Engineers across disciplines use creativity, problem-solving, and technology to design, test, and improve systems people rely on not just on race day, but every day.

Some careers in this field include:

Engineers often work with advanced technology, testing systems, solving problems, and helping improve performance and safety in fast-paced environments.

 

Advanced Manufacturing

Careers in advanced manufacturing combine hands-on work with advanced technologies and precisions tools that help drive innovation across Indiana’s economy. Advanced manufacturing professionals help build the parts, materials and systems used across industries including transportation, life sciences, aerospace and motorsports.

Some careers in this field include:

Indiana is a national leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics, with companies across the state helping design, produce and move products around the world.

 

Technology + Data

Technology plays a major role as its own sector as well as across Indiana’s advanced industries, from software development and cybersecurity to data analytics and artificial intelligence. In the context of racing, teams rely on software, analytics and real-time data to make decisions quickly and improve performance.

Some careers in this field include:

 

TechPoint’s Careers in Tech platform helps you uncover some of the top career paths and opportunities across Indiana’s technology sector. Visit techpoint.org/careersintech to learn more!

 

Logistics

Getting materials, tools and equipment where they need to go takes planning, coordination and teamwork.  Logistics and operations professionals help coordinate the movement of products, materials, and equipment across complex systems and supply chains.

Some careers in this field include:

Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics industries play a major role in moving products and materials across the country and around the world.

 

Media + Communications

Race day also depends on creative professionals who help tell stories and connect with fans. Photographers, videographers, marketers and communications teams help bring events to life both in person and online.

Some careers in this field include:

These careers combine creativity, storytelling and technology — and opportunities exist across Indiana’s advanced industries.

 

Finding Your Path

There’s no single path into advanced industries careers. Explore more opportunities at SeeYourselfIN.com.

Whether your interests are in technology, engineering, manufacturing, logistics or creative work, Indiana’s advanced industries offer opportunities to explore careers that help power innovation every day — on and off the track.

Julia Hatfield didn’t always know she’d become an engineer designing custom implants that change lives. What she did know was that she loved problem-solving, math, and science—and that curiosity led her to a career in one of Indiana’s fastest-growing advanced industries. 

In this conversation, Julia shares how she found her path, why Indiana is the ideal place to build a future, and offers advice for Gen Z students starting to think about their own careers. 

 

Julia, take us back. How did your interest in life sciences and engineering begin?

In high school, I took an anatomy class and discovered how much I loved learning about the human body. At the same time, I already knew I enjoyed math and science, and I’ve always loved problem-solving. Putting all of that together, biomedical engineering felt like the right direction; it allowed me to innovate in ways that could truly help people.

 

What made you choose the University of Toledo for college? 

 Their bioengineering program required three co-ops. That was huge for me because it gave me the chance to get into the field, not just sit in a classroom. I wanted to see how engineering worked in real life, and those internships had a significant impact on my career. 

 

How did you first connect with Zimmer Biomet? 

 I actually met them at a career fair in Toledo. I ended up doing two internships with them here in Indiana—one focused on shoulder implants, and the other on research using advanced microscopes to study how materials fail. Those experiences showed me how broad and exciting this work could be. 

 

Tell us about your current role. 

 I’m a development engineer on the Patient-Matched Implants team at Zimmer Biomet. That means I design implants that are custom-made for individual patients, usually for shoulders. A patient undergoes a CT scan, and we turn it into a 3D model. Then, I design an implant that fits their exact needs. It’s highly specialized, and every case is unique. 

Currently, I’m working on approximately 60 different cases simultaneously, making for a fast-paced environment. However, it’s incredible to know that something I design could alleviate someone’s pain and restore their mobility. 

 

What excites you about your work? 

For me, it’s seeing the direct impact on patients. I’ve been able to attend surgeries and watch implants I designed being used. It’s surreal. And it’s not just local — some of the implants I’ve worked on have gone to patients as far away as Japan. Knowing my work reaches people all over the world is really motivating. 

 

Looking back, did you always know you’d be on this path? 

Not at all. In high school, I didn’t have a detailed plan. I just followed my interests, took advantage of opportunities like internships, and let things fall into place. That’s something I’d want Gen Z students to know: you don’t have to have it all figured out. What matters is trying things, learning what excites you, and being open to change. 

 

What advice would you give to students exploring Indiana’s advanced industries? 

Surround yourself with goal-oriented people—they’ll motivate you. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. They’re inevitable, but they help you grow. Finally, get hands-on experience through internships, co-ops, or shadowing. Even if you don’t love it, you’ll learn what direction you do want to take. 

 

Why Indiana? What keeps you here? 

 Indiana is the hub for advanced industries — especially life sciences. Warsaw is the orthopedic capital of the world. For someone like me who wants to innovate, collaborate with surgeons, and make a real impact, this is the place to be. 

 

Watch Julia’s full video conversation here!

 

Julia Hatfield’s story shows that pathways into Indiana’s advanced industries don’t require a perfect plan—just curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to try. Her story is also an important reminder that you can build a career that matters right here in Indiana. Explore opportunities and discover your path through See Yourself IN! 

Ashley Jeffirs didn’t start college knowing exactly where she wanted to end up. But through curiosity, adaptability, and hands-on experience, she found her passion in Indiana’s advanced industries. Today, she’s a manufacturing engineer at Zimmer Biomet, working in a foundry where molten metal becomes life-saving implants.

Here’s her story in her own words.

 

Ashley, did you always know you wanted to be an engineer? 

Not at all. In high school, I knew I loved math and science, but I wasn’t sure how that would translate into a career. I initially tried biomedical engineering, but I quickly realized the medical side wasn’t for me. That’s when I shifted to mechanical engineering—and that’s where everything clicked.

 

How did you connect with Zimmer Biomet? 

I first learned about them through a career fair at Trine University. I ended up landing an internship in extremities manufacturing. That experience provided me with hands-on exposure to what engineering looks like in the real world, and it really helped me figure out what I wanted to do after graduation.

 

What do you do today? 

I’m a manufacturing engineer in Zimmer Biomet’s foundry. Essentially, we create wax patterns, build ceramic molds, and then pour molten metal at approximately 3,000 degrees to produce implants. Instead of producing one part at a time, we can make 20 in a single pour. It’s fast, intense, and really rewarding to see the process from start to finish.

 

What is the coolest part of your job? 

Honestly, I never thought I’d fall in love with the foundry. But the first time I worked with metal, I knew this was where I belonged. Now, I get to transform raw materials into implants that restore mobility and improve lives. That’s an incredible feeling.

 

You’ve already made some impressive contributions. Can you share one? 

One of the biggest was redesigning a tool so it lasted a full year instead of just three weeks. That was huge for efficiency. I also led a scrap reduction project that saved the company about $383,000. But honestly, what excites me most isn’t just the numbers, it’s collaborating with operators on the floor.

 

You were recently named to the Conexus Indiana Rising 30 class. What does that recognition mean to you? 

It was an incredible honor. To me, it’s not just about the award, it’s about showing what’s possible when you pursue opportunities in Indiana’s advanced industries. Being recognized alongside so many talented young professionals reminds me that young people, especially young women, have the power to shape the future of these industries. It motivates me to keep pushing, innovating, and supporting the next generation that will come after me.

 

You shared that you’re incredibly passionate about mentorship, specifically supporting other women and interns at Zimmer Biomet. Why is this so important to you? 

Mentorship is huge. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who guided me, challenged me, and helped me see what I was capable of. That’s why I’m passionate about paying it forward. Advanced industries can feel intimidating, especially for women, but I want to be the kind of mentor who says, “You belong here, and your voice matters.” For me, it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and making sure the next generation of women feels supported and empowered to lead.

 

What advice would you give to others who are trying to figure out their futures? 

Don’t stress if you don’t have it all figured out right now. I didn’t either. Be adaptable, because your path will change, and sometimes those detours lead to the best opportunities. Find balance and make space for yourself outside of school or work, because you can’t pour from an empty cup. And don’t be afraid to use your voice. Even if you’re the youngest in the room, your perspective is valuable and can spark real change.

 

What makes Indiana the right place to launch and grow your career?

You don’t have to leave Indiana to do meaningful work. There are opportunities here to innovate, solve real-world problems, and build careers that positively impact lives. That’s what keeps me here—and why I’m excited about the future.

 

Watch Ashley’s full video conversation here!

 

Ashley Jeffirs’ journey shows Gen Z that you don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Sometimes, the right pathway reveals itself when you’re willing to try, adapt, and discover where you truly belong—and Indiana’s advanced industries are the perfect place to start. Explore opportunities and discover your path through See Yourself IN! 

The 2025 See Yourself IN High School Summit brought together hundreds of high school students, educators, and industry leaders for a day designed to spark possibility and illuminate real pathways into Indiana’s advanced industries. From the moment students arrived at the AMP at 16 Tech on November 13, the energy was unmistakable: curiosity, excitement, and a genuine eagerness to explore what’s possible for their futures.

Click here to view photos from this year’s event!

 

Learning from the Leaders Who Shape Indiana’s Economy

We kicked off the 2025 See Yourself IN Summit with an opening from Kristen Lampkin and Latoya Botteron of CICP, who encouraged students to think boldly about their futures and to go into this day with an open mind of what is out there in Indiana.

We then welcomed Olivia West, in-game host for the Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, to the stage, where she shared an inspiring keynote about the importance of values – our GPS system – and how those values lead us toward decisions that affect our future. She inspired all of us to think big and to stay curious, both at the summit and in life.

Across the Summit, speakers from CICP’s branded initiatives and partners — TechPoint, AgriNovus, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, and Ascend Indiana — shared insights into the future of work and the incredible opportunities emerging in technology, life sciences, agbiosciences, advanced manufacturing and logistics, and beyond. They were also able to share opportunities for students to get plugged in and get a jumpstart on their careers, whatever that path may be.

The morning session ended with two valuable panel discussions that exposed students to real stories of success and validation that it’s okay to not know your next step. We first welcomed a group of current students who are tied to CICP’s various talent programs, including Field Atlas, Xtern, and the Modern Apprenticeship Program (MAP). These individuals – Mackensi Schneider, Megan Van Dyke, and Rex Cole – were joined by AgriNovus Indiana Career Success Manager Karis Witte to discuss their respective programs as well as their advice for students who may be interested in following in their footsteps.

Related: Watch the Pathways to Jobs and Careers panel on demand here.

We then transitioned to a panel of early-in-career professionals who have been able to make an impact and find success (and their voice) in various advanced industry careers. Susie Cox, an Automation Leader at Corteva Agriscience, Katie Murphy, a Manufacturing Engineer at Arcamed, and Lilia Sanchez, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana Biosciences Research Institute joined moderator Emily Kitterman, Director of Careers in Tech at TechPoint on the stage. These individuals were able to share advice to students about finding their path and ways to find success in the advanced industries, as well as offered some perspective on what the “advanced industries” really mean and why they are so important, not just to our state but to our world.

Watch the Outstanding Opportunities: Jobs in Indiana’s Advanced Industries panel on demand here.

 

Hands-On Exploration: Where Careers Come to Life

Beyond the stage, the Summit’s industry activations transformed career exploration into something students could touch, test, and experience. From learning about life sciences through VR to extracting strawberry DNA, coding alongside tech mentors to learning about how to use AI, students had a chance to see these advanced industries come to life in very tangible ways. A special thanks to the following groups who volunteered their time and talent to provide these hands-on demos to our students:

Many students were eager to share that this was their favorite part of the day, the moment careers felt tangible, accessible, and exciting.

In addition to these hands-on activities, we had several partners who set up booths at the AMP where students could learn about opportunities to take the next step. Butler University’s Founder’s College, IU Indianapolis, Purdue University, Ivy Tech, and each of our branded initiatives – Ascend Indiana, AgriNovus Indiana, BioCrossroads, Conexus Indiana, and TechPoint were able to share opportunities for our high school students to get plugged in and turn today’s excitement into an actionable step forward.

 

Student Takeaways and Outcomes

Throughout the day, one message came through clearly: There is a place for every student to see themselves IN Indiana’s innovation economy.

As students got their ice cream and headed home for the day, they left with an idea of their values, a new awareness of growing career paths and opportunities, direct connections to mentors, employers, and continuing education, and insights into the skills needed for today’s (and tomorrow’s) jobs.

Perhaps most importantly, they left with a greater understanding that their strengths, interests, and values can help shape their decision-making and influence their path to a fulfilling career, right here in Indiana.

The learning doesn’t stop when the Summit ends. Students, families, and educators can continue exploring resources, career pathways, and videos throughout the year at SeeYourselfIN.com.

 

A Community Coming Together for Students

None of this would have been possible without our incredible network of partners:

This collective effort is what makes the See Yourself IN Summit so powerful. It represents the very best of Indiana’s commitment to developing its future talent.

 

 

When Eric Wildeman was wrapping up his degree in public relations, advertising and applied communication at the University of Southern Indiana, he didn’t know what he wanted to do next. So, he interviewed with a variety of organizations, one of which happened to be a logistics firm. But it wasn’t what the company did that won him over. It was the way the company did it.

“It was more of the atmosphere that intrigued me,” he says. “It was a true sales floor. Everyone’s on the phone talking out loud, thinking out loud. It reminded me of a mini Wall Street.”

That was half-a-dozen years ago. Now a business development representative at Evansville’s PFL Logistics – which takes care of warehousing and transporting goods for companies – Eric says he continues to get a rush from the high-energy, fast-paced logistics environment.

Days go by quickly, he says, as he helps customers meet their needs and solve problems. For example, he recently helped a customer with a refrigerated product after the delivery truck was turned away at its destination. As scheduled, the shipment was picked up on a Thursday and delivered by 9 a.m. on Friday, but the receiving dock wouldn’t allow it to unload. Keeping the product refrigerated while waiting for a later delivery slot would cost the client a lot of money, Eric says, so he went into action. Juggling phone calls, pulling together documentation and aligning everyone’s objectives, he got the truck a delivery slot before things got too heated.

It was an achievement that leaned a lot on attributes Eric says are important to his job: problem-solving, communicating clearly and frankly, and managing your time while responding to multiple clients’ needs. Eric credits his family upbringing with giving him a work ethic that allows him to enjoy such challenges, along with an ability to communicate with people with varying roles – from the accounting office to the warehouse floor.

It helps that he gets to do this work in familiar territory. The Evansville native is happy that he found a job that allows him to settle with his wife in his hometown, where he now helps to coach the football team at his alma mater, Mater Dei High School.

Despite stumbling into logistics, Eric says he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. He loves the energy at PFL and in his industry. “It’s something different every day,” he says. “You never do the same thing all day or every day … it’s definitely what I was looking for.”

The path that brought Alex Goebel to her job as a lean digital data analyst at AstraZeneca was not a straight one, but it sure seems to have been the right one.

Alex (short for Alexandra) laughs as she describes the course that brought her to where she is today. Coming out of Mount Vernon High School, she considered medicine – helping patients appealed to her – but didn’t like science. She loved math but couldn’t imagine what she would do with a math degree. (Teach, maybe?) In college, she briefly leaned toward actuarial sciences, but an internship diverted her toward accounting.

When she got a scholarship from AstraZeneca, a conversation with Lean Digital Director Keith Rawley led to an internship working in the company’s warehouse. At first, this only muddied the water. “I had no idea how I would fit in there,” Alex says. “I thought, ‘What am I doing in the warehouse?’”

As it turns out, she was defining her path – a path that, in a way, had been there all along.

Growing up, Alex had always known the hometown pharmaceutical manufacturing operation as Bristol-Myers Squibb (it was acquired by AstraZeneca in 2014). She also knew it as the place where her dad worked. “Honestly, I’d hear my dad talk about it and I’d think, ‘That’s cool,’ she says with a chuckle. “But it doesn’t have anything to do with me.”

The internship changed that, shattering misperceptions she had about manufacturing and logistics as low-tech and dirty operations. She found a clean, exciting facility where even a math major could contribute.

Still, Alex wasn’t certain AstraZeneca was for her. But as she finished her bachelor’s degree in math and accounting at University of Southern Indiana (USI), she interned at a couple of other places, and soon realized that she liked the people, the culture and the work she found at AstraZeneca. She signed on full-time in 2020 and hasn’t looked back.

That’s not to say she settled into a job and stayed put. In her time with AstraZeneca, Alex has explored new opportunities and received promotions. Encouraged to continue learning, she’s taken advantage of classes and training supported by AstraZeneca and also earned her MBA from USI.  

Happy to find such a good job in her hometown, where she enjoys hanging out with familiar friends, boating and spending time with family, Alex likes that being with a pharmaceutical firm takes her back to her early passion (“I’ve still got a way to help patients,” she says), and concedes that it is fun to work where her dad works.

So, she plans to stay with AstraZeneca … but not necessarily on a clearly defined path. “I have a career path that I see myself going down, but it’s changed every couple of years,” she says. “One thing about AstraZeneca is, they just surprise me all the time.”

Find even more stories like Alex’s on the See Yourself IN Resources Page!

 

Mackenzie Mulherin went off to college planning to heal people. It turns out her destiny was to heal the planet.

A sustainability project manager in consumer packaging at Evansville’s Berry Global, Mackenzie spends her days working with teams seeking to increase the sustainability of things like plastic drink cups and lids, food packaging and beauty and personal care tubes. Recently, for example, she was excited to announce that her division had just introduced a Wendy’s drink cup made with 20% recycled material, a product that is a trendsetter in the industry.

Consumer packaging was not where Mackenzie saw her future when she entered the University of Southern Indiana. “I started out in nursing,” she says, “but learned that I love marketing. I really love to do that.”

Mackenzie wasn’t out of college long before she set her sights on a job at Berry Global. Growing up in Evansville, she was aware of the company and its reputation as a good employer, and she had some friends who worked there. So, after getting jobs in marketing for smaller firms in the area, she started connecting with people on LinkedIn and networking with colleagues who knew people at Berry Global. The approach worked. She got hired in 2021.

“I just did some things that stood out,” Mackenzie says. “I was able to build up work experience and relevant skills through my past roles, but my network of professional relationships and ability to follow up helped set me apart.”

Sustainability is a multifaceted career, Mackenzie says, that includes everything from the technical engineering of products to the kind of work she does, which often includes working with Berry customers to help them achieve their sustainability goals and provide products that are meaningful to their consumers.

With Berry Global, there are a lot of those customers of customers, Mackenzie points out, as the company makes such a wide range of products. In fact, it is estimated that the average consumer touches a Berry Global product as many as five times a day. It’s not uncommon, she adds, to see Berry Global employees in the grocery store looking at the bottom of yogurt cups and lotion bottles to check for the Berry Global logo.

Citing her career path as an example, Mackenzie encourages other young people to keep open minds, pursue their goals and take risks. She never imagined she would end up in sustainability when she was in college, and she’s delighted to have a job that allows her to help provide for her family and make a real difference in the world.

“I get to do both,” Mackenzie says. “I get to contribute to my family’s income and positively impact the environment.”

Find even more stories like Mackenzie’s on the See Yourself IN Resources Page!

 

If you don’t know what you want to do when you grow up, that’s okay. Many high school students don’t. Your future career doesn’t have to be decided right now. In fact, now is the perfect time to explore different options and opportunities that are out there. But, did you know the things you already enjoy doing every day can give you clues about careers you might thrive in?

Your hobbies and interests aren’t just activities. They’re signals about your strengths, your personality, and the environments where you might feel confident and excited. If you pay attention to what naturally interests you, you can start to See Yourself IN careers that fit.

Here are three questions to help you explore your interests and visualize how those connect to real-world opportunities across Indiana’s advanced industries.

 

1. What do I enjoy doing when no one is telling me what to do?

When you have free time, what do you choose to do? Those interests offer insight into what kinds of work might keep you motivated long-term.

If you enjoy…

Your free-time choices don’t define your career, but they do show where your natural interests live.

 

2. What kinds of problems do you like to solve?

Every job is basically a different type of problem-solving. Understanding the type you enjoy can point you toward fields where you’ll feel energized instead of drained.

If you like…

How you solve problems can be just as important as a specific major or job title.

3. What skills do I naturally use without thinking about it?

These are the strengths everyone else sees in you, the things you do well without trying. They are huge career clues.

If you naturally…

Strengths aren’t always academic.  Sometimes career clues come from your personality, so pay attention to what you are good at and what other people are affirming you for.

Ready to start exploring?

Your hobbies won’t tell you exactly what to become, but they will help you understand yourself better. And when you know yourself, it’s easier to see where you might fit in Indiana’s growing opportunities, whether it’s life sciences, agbiosciences, tech, advanced manufacturing and logistics, or beyond.

From Carmel High School to Purdue University to Allison Transmission, Vincent Mai’s journey shows how curiosity and initiative can lead to a thriving career in Indiana’s advanced industries. 

 

Vincent, what first got you interested in engineering? 

 In high school, I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do. However, robotics was the turning point—it gave me the confidence to pursue a career in engineering. 

 

What classes helped shape your career path? 

 Definitely the Project Lead the Way courses. Those intro engineering classes, digital electronics, and engineering principles showed me the basics. They provided me with a solid foundation for pursuing a STEM career in Indiana. 

 

How did you land your first role with Allison Transmission? 

Funny enough, Allison was a sponsor of my high school robotics team. Later, at Purdue’s Industrial Roundtable, I reconnected with them. That led to two internships—one in 2017 and one in 2018. After that second internship, I knew I wanted to be there full-time. 

 

What do you do today as a Control Systems Engineer? 

The easiest way to describe it is a software engineer with extra responsibilities. Some days I’m coding and designing; other days I’m out on test trucks or public roads testing the systems we’ve built. It’s a great mix of analysis, software development, and hands-on application. 

 

What skills have been most valuable in your career? 

 Communication is huge. When I’m working with peers, they want technical detail. But leaders often just want the big picture. Knowing how to adapt your communication style is essential in advanced industries. 

 

What lessons would you share with students or young professionals exploring STEM careers in Indiana? 

I’d share three things: 

  1. Be open-minded. Don’t lock yourself into one idea too early. 
  1. Be flexible. Life will throw curveballs—be willing to adjust. 
  1. Take initiative. Speak up about your interests so people can help you grow. 

 

Looking back, what stands out most about your journey? 

That you don’t need to have it all figured out. I thought I’d go into aerospace or maybe medical technology. Instead, I found a career in advanced manufacturing and automotive right here in Indiana—and I love it. 

 

If you love problem-solving, design, and teamwork, manufacturing and advanced industries in Indiana might be the perfect fit for you. Explore opportunities and discover your path through See Yourself IN! 

When Vincent Mai joined his high school robotics team in Carmel, Indiana, he didn’t know it would set him on the path to a career in one of Indiana’s most important advanced industries—automotive manufacturing. 

 “I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do in high school,” Vincent recalls. “I knew I liked engineering and technical work, but robotics gave me the confidence to pursue it as a career.” 

 That passion carried him to Purdue University, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering—a field he describes as the “jack of all trades” that opens doors to careers across industries. 

 

A Career That Started in High School 

Vincent’s favorite classes were the Project Lead the Way courses, where he learned the principles of digital electronics and engineering basics. “Those classes showed me what STEM careers in Indiana could look like,” he says. 

Through robotics, he also met professionals from Allison Transmission, an Indianapolis-based leader in advanced manufacturing and automotive technology. That early connection turned into two internships during college—hands-on experiences that shaped his career. 

“I interned at Allison in 2017 and 2018. By the end of that second summer, I knew it was where I wanted to be full-time,” Vincent says. 

 

From Internships to Engineering 

Today, Vincent works as a Control Systems Engineer at Allison Transmission, developing and testing software that powers vehicles worldwide. 

“My role is like being a software engineer with extra responsibilities,” he explains. “Some weeks I’m coding and designing at my desk. Other weeks, I’m on the test track, putting that software into trucks and evaluating performance.” 

For Vincent, this combination of design, implementation, and real-world testing makes his career dynamic—and deeply rewarding. 

 

Lessons for the Next Generation 

Vincent has three lessons for anyone exploring how to start a career in engineering or Indiana’s advanced industries: 

  1. Be open-minded. “Try new things—you never know what opportunities will open up.” 
  2. Stay flexible. “Plans change, and that’s okay. Sometimes you discover you like a different path.” 
  3. Take initiative. “If there’s something you’re passionate about, tell your managers and mentors. That’s how you create your own opportunities.” 

 

Building a Future in Indiana 

Although Vincent once considered aerospace or medical engineering, advanced manufacturing and automotive jobs in Indiana proved to be the right fit. 

“Indiana has so many opportunities in advanced industries,” he says. “I started with robotics in high school, built skills at Purdue, and now I’m working on real-world solutions right here at home. You can absolutely build a career you love—right here in Indiana.” 

 

Want to turn your interests into a meaningful, fulfilling career? Explore opportunities in Indiana’s growing industries and discover the connections, programs, and possibilities that can help you See Yourself IN Indiana’s advanced industries. Get started today!