Grad Is Part of an Industry's Renewal
Andrew Perez, ’16
Organizational Leadership & Supervision, Hammond, IN
Interviewed by Author / Photos by Photographer
August 22, 2019
Not only have I learned the technical skills necessary to become an accounting professional, but I also learned communication and professional development. I am confident that I have the tools to advance in my field and feel well prepared for any opportunity that comes my way.
Renewable energy is a growing field--as is PNW's concentration in environmental health and safety.
A Growing Field
Workplace safety has been Perez’s passion ever since his first class in organizational leadership at Purdue Northwest. Never in his wildest dreams did the Hammond, Indiana native ever imagine his degree would launch him to the forefront of the renewable energy sector, let alone work for one of its global leaders.
“Safety is all around us; and with my family working in construction, hospitals, and manufacturing, I thought it would be great for me to learn more of what I can do to help,” said Perez. “The best part of my job is knowing that I am making a difference by keeping workers safe so they can go home to their families.”
Perez graduated from Purdue Northwest in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision (OLS), and a concentration in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). While at PNW, he applied classroom knowledge in three paid internships, which quickly elevated his career prospects.
“You have to show a drive—show that you can do more,” said Perez. “That’s why I applied myself to all these internships. If I hadn’t done any of that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
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Perez graduated from Purdue Northwest in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision (OLS), and a concentration in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). While at PNW, he applied classroom knowledge in three paid internships, which quickly elevated his career prospects.
“You have to show a drive—show that you can do more,” said Perez. “That’s why I applied myself to all these internships. If I hadn’t done any of that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
High atop a wind turbine in the plains of Alberta, Canada, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) alumnus Andrew Perez carefully studies the movements of his co-workers, who are story__grouptaining the giant propeller-like generator sitting some 300 feet above the ground on a massive steel rod.
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Perez is at one of 11 wind farms in North America owned and operated by ACCIONA Energy, where he, as an environmental health and safety specialist, is conducting a quality and safety audit. His report could inform the creation of a new worker safety program or be used to revise training protocols for rescuing workers at those heights.
Workplace Safety First
Workplace safety has been Perez’s passion ever since his first class in organizational leadership at Purdue Northwest. Never in his wildest dreams did the Hammond, Indiana native ever imagine his degree would launch him to the forefront of the renewable energy sector, let alone work for one of its global leaders.
“Safety is all around us; and with my family working in construction, hospitals, and manufacturing, I thought it would be great for me to learn more of what I can do to help,” said Perez. “The best part of my job is knowing that I am making a difference by keeping workers safe so they can go home to their families.”
Perez graduated from Purdue Northwest in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Supervision (OLS), and a concentration in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). While at PNW, he applied classroom knowledge in three paid internships, which quickly elevated his career prospects.
“You have to show a drive—show that you can do more,” said Perez. “That’s why I applied myself to all these internships. If I hadn’t done any of that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
He was PNW’s first safety intern at NIPSCO, and later interned at the regional office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Both experiences quickly earned Perez his first post-graduation job as a safety specialist at an automotive parts stamping plant, before landing his dream job less than a year later with the fourth largest renewable energy company in the world.
“Originally the position was for someone with five to ten years of experience. They took a chance on me largely based on my drive, my attitude and good reviews from my professors and those I interned with,” said Perez.