The Rush of Purdue Life

Emma Sheward professional headshot

Name: Emma Sheward

Hometown: Frankton, IN

Major: Agribusiness; Political Science

Why did you come to Purdue: I’ve been a Boilermaker since birth and wanted to come to a large Ag school with competitive sports teams, since I am a big sports fan!

Favorite Purdue tradition: Boiler Gold Rush

Sheward in front of the US Capitol Building Sheward posing with study abroad group

Top three influences at Purdue: My top influences have been close friends, Erika and Grace. Along with my supervisors and coworkers during my time working at the CoRec. I also worked alongside Dr. Ellison and Dr. Karen Byrd, helping create content for the Center for Food Conservation and Waste Reduction.

Top five memories of your time at Purdue: 
  1. My first overall favorite memory would be freshman year, when Purdue Basketball went on a tournament run!
  2. Being a BGR Team Leader sophomore year was a lot of fun.
  3. My sorority’s bid day sophomore year is another good memory.
  4. The Purdue vs. Alabama Basketball game sophomore year
  5. Grand Prix week junior year!
Places you have been as a Purdue student: 
  • After freshman year, I spent a summer in the Colorado Mountains being a Horseback Riding Camp Counselor.
  • After sophomore year, I did a short-term study abroad trip with the College of Agriculture to Vienna, Slovenia and Italy.
  • Shortly after that, I spent the summer in Washington, D.C working with DTB Agri Trade for Ag Trade Policy initiatives.
  • Finally, after my junior year summer, I worked with a top egg-producing company, MPS Egg Farms, on production and Processing management.

Sheward standing in front of White House president door 

Favorite club/organization: Purdue RecWell Intramural Programs!

Favorite student-led event: Boiler Gold Rush

Favorite Purdue event: Ag Alumni Fish Fry or Ag Week

Favorite place on campus/to study: Favorite place to study is Java House at ABE, AI and Data Science Basement, Union Club Hotel Lobby. Overall favorite places: Celery Bog Trail, Memorial Mall, Mackey Arena, Corec, Harrys and Triple X.

Favorite class: AGEC 427 or FS 340

Favorite professor: Dr. Elizabeth Byrd, Dr. Ellison and Dr. Karen Byrd

Sheward with friend in Ross Ade Stadium stands Sheward with sorority sisters

Class you are excited to take your senior year: AGEC 411

Three biggest accomplishments at Purdue: 

  1. The first is learning how to successfully navigate and maintain a healthy academic and personal life balance.
  2. Second, I am proud to have renewed my passion project scholarship each year of undergrad, which heavily influenced my career path.
  3. Finally, my third major accomplishment was securing two successful internships with industry leaders.

Something about you that is not listed on your resume: I am a very enthusiastic scrapbooker, and I love to watch the Wall Street Journal for short videos on YouTube.

Future plans: Land somewhere at the intersection of trade and the food business and potentially pursue a career in food law.

Advice for underclassmen: Find your passion or passions, and continue to revolve around your personal life or career. Don’t be afraid to meet new people, as that person could become your next best friend in life!

The biggest takeaway from Purdue: The biggest takeaway from my time at Purdue is to never stop learning. Saying yes to new adventures and stepping out of your comfort zone is exactly how you grow into your future self. I’ve also learned that surrounding yourself with people who have different perspectives genuinely makes you a better, more well-rounded person.