Allison Kraft

My Boilermaker Pride

Research
Internship
Campus Involvement

Majors, History and Political Science
Minor, Art History

As soon as she stepped on campus, Allison knew Purdue was the right fit for her.  She said, "When I visited Purdue for the first time in the fall of my senior year of high school, I immediately felt like I fit right in.  I could picture myself walking around campus, studying by any one of the beautiful fountains, and cheering on the Boilermakers at home football games."  And she has done all of that and more while being a student at Purdue.

Allison is involved on campus with PASE (Purdue Alumni Student Experience) Board of Directors, she is an Old Masters Promotional Officer, and the president of the Christian Student Center.  These organizations have provided her with experiences that have been unique and incredibly rewarding, and have allowed her to collaborate with other student leaders on campus.  By being involved on campus, she's been able to develop a wide range of skills, including public speaking.  These skills helped her excel at her summer 2015 internship with George Washington’s Mount Vernon, working as an Historic Trades Interpretation intern. If you are interested in applying to this internship, they are currently accepting applications here.

Back home at Purdue, Allison says, "Professors are always willing to help with anything that might not be understood from class, and they are eager to see their students succeed."  She feels professors get the know their students.  "I have never been hesitant to seek extra help from a professor through office hours because I know they will make the time to see me and give me the guidance I need." says Allison.  

Allison's favorite class been Professor Caroline Janney’s, Civil War Memory course.  The course was smaller, with around 15 students, which allowed for in-depth discussions.  Allison said, "It was enlightening to hear the opinions and views of my fellow classmates as they shared their thoughts on the Civil War, and I learned just as much from them as I learned from the professor.  Dr. Janney is an excellent professor who really challenged the way I view the Civil War. The material she presented dealt with far more than simply the Union against the Confederacy, but went deep into the emotions, pride, and spirit of the men who fought for their respective causes.  It was a class that I wished could continue once we reached the end of the semester."

Allison remarked, "I know the professors from whom I am learning an incredible amount are among the best in their fields, and I know the education I am receiving will prepare me for a successful career and a bright future.  I am ever grateful for the experiences I’ve had at Purdue, and I will carry my Boilermaker pride wherever life takes me."

What's next for Allison?  After graduation from Purdue, she will attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in museum administration. She then plans to work in museum administration in Washington D.C.  Her dream is to be director of a national museum (Smithsonian, Newseum) or George Washington’s Mount Vernon. She has a passion for sharing history with others, whether that is through interpretation of a historic landmark or explaining to someone why a particular artifact is so important to an event from the past.  

Boiler Up Allison!