INDIANAPOLIS –

One of the students leaving today on “Roadtrip Indiana” says she expects an “awakening” of what Indiana is about. Purdue University senior Shannon Newerth is joining two other Indiana students on a two-week RV trip throughout the state to take part in career exploration and work-based learning opportunities. The trip, organized in part by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and several private partners, will be the subject of an upcoming public television documentary.

As part of the trip, the students will interview employers and explore key industries in Indiana’s evolving economy. The students were chosen through an application and interview process led by Roadtrip Nation conducted this spring.

“Roadtrip Indiana” is the result of a partnership with Roadtrip Nation, which bills itself as a career exploration organization that produces a television series, career guide, online content and classroom curriculum. Other partners include the Strada Education Network, TechPoint, Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI), First Source Bank, EmployIndy, the Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana INTERNnet.

Governor Eric Holcomb joined education and business leaders today for a send-off celebration at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He says helping connect students with in-demand careers “while showcasing the dynamic range of job opportunities right here in Indiana is an important step in keeping our state’s best asset – our people.”

The roadtrippers are:

Shannon Newerth from Beech Grove, a 21-year-old plant science major at Purdue University, Dengke Wang from Portage, a 19-year-old Purdue engineering student, Jaedyn Zavala from Kokomo, an 18-year-old community college student who hopes to enter veterinary school

You can follow their trip by clicking here. Employers that want to contribute to the organization’s career advice hub can click here.