Introducing Cecilia: The Ziptern Making moves at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company!
As a co-op on the Heavy Tire Compounding team, she's been at the forefront of cutting-edge projects and responsibilities. From conducting mixing trials for wire coat compounds to implementing new tread cushion compounds in plants, Cecilia has been taking charge and making a real impact.
She's also been evaluating processes in labs, offering valuable insights from a compounder's perspective and working tirelessly to develop improvements. Cecilia's role involves taking the lead in identifying problems, creating solution steps and evaluating compound recipes and materials. She's even been exploring better additives to enhance Goodyear's tire production. Impressive, right?
Navigating challenges with confidence
Finding the perfect balance between being new to a role and exuding confidence in your abilities can be a challenge. But with determination and self-assurance, Cecilia is learning to find that balance.
Chemical Engineering is an incredibly vast field, and sometimes, you find yourself in a company with a very specific focus. However, working at Goodyear has given Cecilia an incredible sense of pride in knowing more about the origins of Akron as the rubber capital of the world. Throughout her four rotations within the company, she has gained a diverse understanding of Goodyear's operations and the industry as a whole.
With all that co-op experience, we had to ask Cecilia about her advice for future Zips looking to make the most out of their summer internships or co-ops. Her words of wisdom were simple yet powerful—don't be afraid to reach out to people and learn about their roles, especially in the beginning. She emphasized that you shouldn't worry about bothering others or inconveniencing them. If they're unable to spare time, they'll let you know. It's all about taking initiative and seizing opportunities!
As Cecilia continues to excel in her co-op, she's gaining invaluable skills, both technical and soft, to boost her confidence and leadership abilities. With each passing day, she's one step closer to becoming a successful engineer!
We're immensely proud of you, Cecilia, and we're thrilled to have you represent our university at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Your passion, joy and dedication are an inspiration.
