Rachit Rajput, from Shimla, India, came to Wichita State in 2015 on faith in the engineering program. He leaves with a master’s degree in industrial engineering.

Rachit is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2020 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad. 

What is your degree in?

I will be earning my degree in Master of Science in industrial engineering with a concentration in production and supply chain.

What led you to Wichita State to begin with?

Destiny and affordability. I transferred to Wichita State in spring of 2015 from India with no idea where I am going and what the outcomes will be.

I only knew it is a good college for engineering. Yes, it sounds funny and strange at the same time, but I have zero regrets coming to Wichita State University.

Thank you, Wichita State, for making me the person I am today.

How are you feeling leading up to graduation?

I have mixed feelings — excited but also nervous. I do not know how things will go after graduation, but I am looking forward to more accomplishments in my professional and personal life.

What was been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?

Every day is a challenge as a student. The struggle of getting out of your comfort zone to manage the balance among school, work, and social life. Somehow, I managed it pretty well. But toward the end of my second semester, my grandmother passed away. I was really close to her. The fact that I cannot go back home and see her for the last time was tremendously difficult.

Knowing you love someone so much and not seeing them for the last time, hurts. Thank you to my friends and the WSU community who were there to support me.

What has been your most helpful learning experience at Wichita State? 

The free LinkedIn Learning Platform provided by the Shocker Career Accelerator has been a most helpful learning experience. LinkedIn Learning courses on Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and safety helped me prepare for job interviews and external examinations. One can gain a lot of experience from Wichita State, whether it is from class projects learning about teamwork, time management to being leaders through campus involvement. 

What are your plans after graduation?

I am hoping to go full time with United Postal Service as Plant Engineering Supervisor and eventually pursue a Master of Business Administration.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your time at Wichita State or your post-graduation plans? 

The pandemic has not really affected my plans. In fact, I was able to land two jobs this summer, and I am grateful for that. Unfortunately, classes went online, which I was not happy about.

What advice would you give other Wichita State students?

My advice for other Wichita State students will be meet with your academic advisor at least twice a month. You can get advice on which classes you need to take and have a healthy communication flow of experience and knowledge.

Get involved on campus. It will make a huge difference. You may not see it right away, but with time you will see the changes in yourself personally and professionally.

Most important, do not let anyone or any situation define you. Do your best, give 100 percent.