What is your mission as a company?
Our Mission is to improve people’s lives, the planet and our company’s performance by transforming renewable resources into products people depend on every day.
What is your company culture?
We do the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons, all of the time. Our everyday actions support our mission and drive inclusiveness within our organization. We have a culture that fosters openness and ability to share ideas amongst peers. We look for opportunities to support each other to be successful in what we do each day, work on projects that drive results, and our company works to find opportunities for their employees that they are passionate about.
What are your recommendations for seeking mentorship and support in the workplace
Mentorship is something that we value as a company. A recent Auburn female alumni stated, “It is essential to keep an open mind and use every opportunity to seek mentorship. In my career, I had the pleasure of discovering an invaluable mentor in my Front Line Leader coworker. Despite coming from completely different backgrounds regarding gender, education, race, and career path, he has been an invaluable source of guidance and support. The perspective he has gained over a 25+ year career has provided me with irreplaceable strategies to navigate the hurdles in my professional journey.” The importance of seeking mentorship in every situation and never ruling someone out due to dissimilar experiences cannot be overstated. Diverse mentors bring unique perspectives that enrich our understanding, encourage personal growth, foster lifelong friendships, and empower us to thrive in our careers.
How do I ask for help as a professional?
There is often pressure in the workplace to appear to have it “all together.” However, it is essential to understand that no one really has it all figured out and seeking help is a sign of personal strength, not weakness. Embracing honesty about your needs with your direct manager, mentors, and HR partners should lead to much-needed support. Personally, I am fortunate to work for a company that values its people and seeks to meet their needs at every level. Each time I’ve been candid and asked for help, the response has been overwhelmingly understanding, either providing direct assistance with the issue or offering insights to allow me to put it into context. Being open about your struggles will absolutely be beneficial in the long run. Conversely, staying silent and pretending that everything is ok when it is not will lead to a lack of engagement and keep you from reaching your full potential. Reaching out for help is a powerful tool for your personal and professional development.
What is one piece of advice that you would give to your college-aged self?
Embrace teamwork and foster relationships with people who can support you in your academic journey. Having the skill of collaboration will take you far in life, particularly given how team-based most engineering jobs are. Seek guidance from your peers, upperclassmen, mentors, graduate teaching assistants, professors and more. Embracing the power of collaboration will open up opportunities, make the very challenging curriculum easier, and lead to lifelong relationships.
How can my Auburn Engineering education best prepare me for the world of work?
Auburn provides a solid technical rigor and real-world experiences, establishing a strong career foundation. Embracing a co-op opportunity can be particularly impactful, offering invaluable knowledge and allowing you to significantly limit student loan debt, as well as give you an opportunity to truly understand how an engineering degree translates to the real world. Because of these great opportunities, a good portion of our co-ops/interns that are good fits with our organizational culture are converted into full-time hires. Experience is the gateway to a post-college career and Auburn provides the best of the best program for gaining experience.
If you were to hire someone to work with you today, what factors would be most important in your hiring decision and why?
Of course hiring decisions are complex and highly individualized to the person and the role. However, I personally believe that soft skills, such as kindness and understanding, play a significant role as they foster a positive work environment and promote effective communication among team members. Additionally, relatability and cross-cultural prowess are crucial attributes, due to enabling individuals to work seamlessly with diverse colleagues, which promotes creativity, inclusion, and innovation. Beyond these interpersonal aspects, relevant experience from internships and co-ops is vital in assessing a one’s practical knowledge and ability to apply skills in real-world scenarios. A combination of these elements ensures that hiring decisions result in building a well-rounded, agile, and capable team that can thrive in diverse and changing work environments.
What types of experiences, paid employment, or otherwise, would you most strongly recommend?
I strongly recommend completing a co-op because it provides incredible opportunities to gain real-world experience and financial support for your education. Any opportunities that allow you to develop your leadership skills is helpful when we are recruiting students.
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