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Technology transfer is most often thought of in terms of using scientific research to develop products for everyday use. But, at Purdue University, there is also a human side of technology transfer—university graduates who are working, productive and contributing members of society. Prime examples of technology transfer on the human level are the more than 17,000 Purdue Agriculture alumni living and working in Indiana for the betterment of communities, citizens and the state.
In Indiana, business, education and government leaders have joined together to solve an economic problem known as “brain drain.” Indiana is doing a good job of keeping students in state while they attend college. For every Indiana high school graduate who enrolls in an out-of-state college or university, 2-plus Indiana high school graduates enroll in state-supported or private institutions in Indiana. Our state ranks among the highest in the United States in recruiting students to attend school in their home state.
It's hanging on to graduates that is the problem. Indiana ranks among the lowest in keeping students in residence once they graduate. In short, Indiana-educated graduates are leaving the state for high-tech, high-paying jobs elsewhere.
Purdue Agriculture graduates are an exception to the “brain-drain” dilemma. Not only do 70 percent of Purdue Agriculture graduates who are Indiana residents stay in the state after graduation, 46
percent—nearly half—of all out-of-state graduates stay here, too. Additionally, 90 percent of Purdue
Agriculture graduates are employed or continuing their education within just a few months of graduation.
Clearly, Indiana has a lot to offer those with degrees in agriculture, and, in return, our graduates have a lot to offer the state. Derek Rodgers, a 2004 graduate in agricultural economics, is a good example of this mutually beneficial relationship. A top student and campus leader, Derek had a number of opportunities after graduation. He considered some out-of-state offers but ultimately accepted a position as a commercial loan specialist in the east central Indiana farming community of Portland. The Indiana native liked the idea of living in his home state and wanted to give something back to the community where he was raised.
The fact that Derek and his fellow agriculture alumni are in such demand in Indiana is a testament to Purdue's strong undergraduate experiential learning curriculum that prepares students for success in their chosen professions.
Here are some of the ways Purdue Agriculture prepares students to contribute to their communities.
• Faculty-mentored research supports a hands-on learning environment and access to the latest equipment and technology. Students work side-by-side with research-oriented faculty, an important adjunct to the classroom, where they learn inquiry, critical thinking, data analysis and scientific methods.
• Internships provide real-world experiences and lay the groundwork for employment after graduation. Purdue's Interns for Indiana initiative, which helps match interns with Indiana companies, gives the state a better chance of keeping college graduates.
• More than 20 percent of agriculture graduates have had one or more study abroad experiences. Graduates who have been abroad appeal to employers because of their language skills, cultural appreciation, and ability to understand and function in a global economy.
• Reinforced by community service projects, service learning instills an ethic that a Purdue education comes with the responsibility to give back to the communities in which graduates work and live.
• A capstone experience ensures that graduates posses the skills for professional competency, demonstrating to employers that they are hiring entry-level, practicing professionals.
The transfer of technology that produces graduates of this caliber starts with Purdue's dedication to the principles of discovery, learning and engagement. Faculty and staff of the highest academic and professional stature embody these principles. Committed to undergraduate education both inside and outside the classroom, they serve multiple roles of researcher, teacher and advisor. Students become the multiplier of this knowledge and expertise, increasing the impact of Purdue Agriculture in the workplace, in the economy and in the state.
Take a look around your community. Who volunteers for youth organizations? Who provides leadership for county and city government and public schools? Who supports social service and community organizations? Who are the entrepreneurs, managers and workers in agriculture, business, food and natural resources?
Purdue has been recognized as one of the top 12 universities in the nation for the support of state economic development. One of the most direct ways that this support happens is through our graduates, living and working in your community.
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