Never stop learning. That's the biggest lesson that Eileen Noel wished she would have implemented in her life a little sooner.
"Stay open to continuous learning. I feel I did not do that until later in my career," Noel said. "Continuous learning enhances problem solving skills, fosters creativity and can prepare you for that next growth opportunity."
The industry moves fast, so it is important to stay up on trends and continue to challenge yourself both professionally and personally.
"The world is constantly evolving and the way we work and accomplish things is very different today than it was when I started," Noel said. "Embrace new knowledge and skills, invest in your personal and professional development, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone."
Noel initially was drawn to this career path at DuPont because of her interest in manufacturing.
"Since working in this industry, I have learned so much around the different processes required to make such a high-performance sealing solution, the applications Kalrez is used in and the global market that we serve," Noel said. "It is very rewarding knowing the product I make goes into so many different applications that support our global supply chain."
Noel embodies the Breaking the Mold feel by actively engaging in both activities that will help other women grow, but also her community at large.
"As a member of the DuPont Women's Network and the lead for my site Women's Network, I look for opportunities to share information through global calls and meetings on topics focused on career progression, personal development and business insights," she said.
"Over this past year, I have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and have also supported fundraisers for various charity groups."
Noel said that she has enjoyed her time as both a supervisor and a manager, and that there is a lot of overlap between the two roles, so she has been able to use different experiences to help guide her to build and lead successful teams.
"It's never an easy job, but the challenges are what have helped me to grow," she added. "Most important is knowing where you are at, performing at your best, stepping outside your comfort zone and asking for those stretch assignments when you are ready."
When reflecting on her career, Noel is proud of what she has been able to execute.
"I never really thought about this being the right role or the right industry, but when I look back, I've really been happy with what I've been able to accomplish," Noel said. "Process improvements I've been able to implement to help the business or make someone's task safer or easier is confirmation for me that I'm right where I want to be."
For instance, over the past year, the team has been building a new manufacturing plant and preparing for launch has presented challenges. In her role, Noel has been able to overcome staffing challenges and recruited and hired the right team and trained them, so they had the skills needed to perform.
"By building a comprehensive and well-planned strategy, the operations team has done a great job of preparing the work force for their new roles while continuing to meet our customers' demand," Noel said.
Years with company: 11
Years in rubber industry: My experience in this industry has been entirely with DuPont, manufacturing Kalrez high performance sealing solutions for the semi-conductor, aerospace, transportation, and oil and gas industries.