Career Profile
Mike Wilson
Manufacturing Engineer
I came to Dow Corning in October 2004 after having successfully completed a Masters in Chemical Engineering at Strathclyde University. I saw the position advertised in an industry publication, applied for it, then travelled down to Barry for the interview. I was impressed by what I saw: the scale of the operation at Barry was a lot bigger than I’d expected. I was impressed by what I heard too, not just in the interview but also from having spoken to employees, all of whom had really positive things to say about the company. There was a genuinely good vibe about the place. The rest, as they say, is history.
I provide engineering support across the plant. My role is quite varied but generally speaking I make sure that the manufacturing process is running smoothly and that materials are produced to specification. Maintaining the status quo is not as simple as it sounds: there’s a lot of trouble-shooting involved, which can really test your abilities. And you’re always conscious of the fact that one small oversight on your behalf can have major implications further on down the line, which keeps you on your toes. Apart from the problem solving, what I most like about the job is the interaction with other disciplines. Working alongside experienced Electrical, Mechanical and Systems Engineers means I’m learning something new nearly every day and moving that little bit closer to achieving Chartered Engineer status.
One the main reasons I accepted a place at Dow Corning was the opportunity to progress within the company; there’s no glass ceiling here. And you needn’t be restricted to the same type of job either. So, for example, you can switch from a technical role to more of a managerial position, and vice versa. It’s all very structured: you set your own targets and they help you to achieve them. They’re very big on training too. I’ve been on loads of different courses ranging from computer simulation to situational leadership, and it’s all knowledge I can apply to my own role.
Professional development, responsibility from day one, heaps of training, ongoing support: Dow Corning promised me many things at my original interview, and I’m glad to say they’ve delivered. This is a company you can definitely trust with your future.
