Business Development – Consulting to the coatings, specialty chemicals, and entrepreneurial community on strategy, positioning, business development, business planning, funding, and organizational development & structure.
When I managed my first group of professionals including chemists and engineers, they often sought my guidance on how to succeed in their careers. As I reflected upon my own experiences and offered them guidance, three key factors came to mind: (1) learn how to work effectively with people since, when the team wins, everyone wins; (2) continue to learn and excel in the technical aspects of your profession; and (3) don’t be afraid to work hard, as this is a competitive world.
I was passionate about science and math while growing up. While I initially focused on chemistry as a major in college, chemical engineering offered a more structured approach to problem-solving and more clear career opportunities. Typical initial roles out of college for an engineer are technical in nature; however, business-focused pathways are also possible in technical industries after gaining experience. Senior engineers and my first few managers offered insight on how to gain credibility, so that I would be considered for roles that had both technical and commercial/business aspects.
I like seeing success in the market. Success is when customers have chosen my company’s product over the competitor’s due to all the factors that influence selection, including the product, technical merit, pricing, delivery, and service.
Don’t be afraid of engineering! There are many industry and university programs that offer insight into what exciting opportunities are available to engineers. Seek summer co-op programs to gain more exposure.
As the nature of manufacturing continues to change in the United States, low-value manufacturing will continue to move overseas. The development of new technologies, the greater utilization of advanced materials, the necessity to reduce the cost of quality health care, the need to have a safer world, and the new technologies related to protecting our environment will all create opportunities for engineers and technical specialists.
The same factors that were the base for initial success—like working well with people, developing proficiency in my field, and working effectively—are the same skills that need to be continually improved. Books on how to work well with others, and continuing education focused on leadership and understanding differences in people, are good approaches to improving your teamwork skills. Proficiency in your field is about continuing education, involvement in associations, and striving to have a broader impact in your profession. Approaches to improving effectiveness include staying abreast with technology improvements and, again, learning from books how to be more effective.
Any field that is focused on applying new technologies to solve current issues related to materials.
Clearly, if I am meeting with customers, evaluating university partnerships, and going to industry trade associations, I am not home every night at 5 PM. However, as I travel to all these different locations, I grow as a person. I carry these learnings home to my family, and we often travel to these new locations on vacation. Between the diverse student body at the University of Michigan and the international aspects of the auto industry here in Southeastern Michigan, we have many opportunities to learn about other cultures.
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