Katherine Rudini

Major: Industrial Design 

Interior Design Intern, Gensler

How did you learn about this internship opportunity? 

I learned about it through the industry. Gensler has always been a huge name, so it was an obvious and exciting opportunity to apply.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals?  How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

Being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue taught me to work collaboratively and think critically in creative environments. The interior design program helped me grow professionally—whether that meant how to present my work, receive critique as a form of growth, or refine my design skills. All of this translated directly into my internship and gave me the foundation I needed to succeed at the next level.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major  looking for an internship? 

Work hard in school. The only way to succeed in the future is to do well now. Sacrifice and focusing on what you can control—like your portfolio—will help with the things you can’t, like getting selected for a competitive internship. I didn’t have industry connections going in, but my work spoke for itself, and that’s what propelled me forward.

What key responsibilities or tasks have you taken on during your internship?

As the of the first waves of interns to start this effort, I helped reimagine how we benchmark projects using new and innovative software. I also worked on becoming a better designer for client needs and learned how to navigate and meet industry standards. 

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our job-ready program specifically aided your professional development? 

The College of Liberal Arts has been incredibly supportive. The Job-Ready scholarship provided financial relief, which was especially important living in New York City. Being a CLA student also gave me a strong foundation in communication and critical thinking that I used every day during my internship.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in this program that you find particularly noteworthy? 

One highlight was a group project focused on reimagining a NYC subway station. We were tasked with designing for the future of that site—it was extremely creative, collaborative, and empowering to work alongside other high-achieving students on something that felt both real and meaningful.