Career Profile
Jayne Robson
Senior Capability Engineer
I’ve been with Dow Corning for nearly eleven years. I came here straight from the University of Bath after completing a degree in Chemical Engineering, which included a research-based placement at a petrochemical company. I wanted to get some Manufacturing experience under my belt, so when I saw Manufacturing Engineer positions at Dow Corning advertised on the University’s job board I decided to go for it there and then. But that wasn’t the only reason behind my application: I’d heard from a university friend of mine, who knew Dow Corning well, that the company was investing a vast amount of capital into its Barry site, which was quite rare at that time. They were also offering a good salary, great benefits, and a location close to Cardiff - a fantastic city!
My first three years as a Manufacturing Engineer were really enjoyable, but I was ready for fresh challenges and more responsibility. Fortunately, Dow Corning is the kind of organisation that actively encourages career progression, so it wasn’t too long before I was working my way up the ladder. My current role is in capability improvement where I am working to improve a diverse range of processes with impact on areas such as safety, capacity, reliability, variable costs and the environment (this is where my Six Sigma training has proved particularly useful). The work’s really interesting and varied: I’m not restricted to one specific technology area and there are so many different kinds of ‘problems’ to solve both on a long-term and short-term basis. It’s very rewarding too, seeing projects through from start to finish and knowing that all your hard work is making a major difference to a growing business.
One of the best things about working here is the fact that you’re left to get on with things. That’s not to say that support and guidance isn’t there when you need it because it is, from management and colleagues alike. It’s just that you’re trusted to make your own decisions. In other words, you’re expected take ownership of your role, which is not as daunting as it sounds given the huge amount of general and job-specific training that you receive here. And should you ever want to go down a completely different career path, you’ll always have the opportunity to do so. A colleague of mine can vouch for that: she started out as a Chemical Engineer and now works in Dow Corning’s Marketing department.
Without wanting to sound overly sentimental, Dow Corning is a very ‘human’ organisation; they genuinely care about your wellbeing and do their best to accommodate your personal circumstances, especially if, like me, you’re a working mum and you depend on flexible working arrangements. And on the odd occasions when you do have to stay late or give up your weekend, it is appreciated and exceptional cases will sometimes receive a recognition reward, as a token of their appreciation. Small gestures like that can speak volumes about a company.
In terms of work, remuneration and prospects, I’m more than happy with my lot, and I’m not just saying that, either. I really feel that this is where I belong.
