When Dhairya Jayesh Patel finished his bachelor’s in chemical engineering at
Savitribai Phule Pune University, he knew that his next step would be
critical in setting the trajectory of his career. He knew he was interested
in the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sector and felt that pursuing a master’s
degree at Drexel – complete with its
graduate co-op program
– would help him hit the ground running.
After going through the co-op process, Dhairya landed a Process Safety Co-Op
position at Blue Engineering and Consulting. At Blue, Dhairya was able to
take the helm of several projects. As a process safety engineer, Dhairya’s roles include facility and building
siting and risk assessments, making sure that the projects the companies
work on comply with both industry and safety standards.
“Seeing my work play a critical role in ensuring the safe operation of the
facility and meeting regulatory standards was incredibly fulfilling,”
Dhairya said. “This experience not only strengthened my technical skills but
also boosted my confidence in managing complex tasks independently.”
“I chose a graduate degree with a co-op to complement my academic learning
with hands-on industry experience,” Dhairya said. “The co-op experience also
provides exposure to real challenges, preparing me for a successful career
in the energy sector.”
Becoming a Process Safety Co-Op also allowed Dhairya to learn
industry-specific tools like Phast, FDS, and AutoCAD. When paired with what
he’s learning in the classroom, Dhairya is not only confident in the
direction of his career but feels well-prepared to get there.
“This experience has significantly enhanced my technical and professional
skills,” Dhairya said. “I’ve learned how to approach complex projects
methodically, collaborate with diverse teams, and communicate effectively
with clients. Working with industry-leading tools and standards has also
provided me with a competitive edge and deeper understanding of the LNG
sector.”