Angelica builds connections to support diversity in STEM

Angelica Cortez Vega always knew she wanted to work in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). She dreamed of being a math teacher, managing the business side of STEM or even becoming an astronaut.

“It turns out that there are actually height requirements to be an astronaut,” Angelica said. “That ruled out that career choice for me, so I began to explore other career options — all on Earth.”


Earthly aspirations

Angelica grew up in northeast Mexico near the U.S. border. She later attended the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Angelica became interested in physics during her time in college, and she started her career in engineering at General Electric in Mexico before starting at Cummins after graduation.

As part of Cummins’ rotational program for young professionals, Angelica spent time working in Charleston, SC, Rocky Mount, NC, and Columbus, IN as a test engineer before transitioning to her current role as a field test engineer.

“The typical day in the office and in the field are very different,” Angelica said. “When I travel, we have a plan of action and are focused on executing it. In the office, we adjust to what the line is working on and meet needs in the moment. It’s always changing and requires a lot of different adaptable skills.”


Collaboration meets imagination

Angelica in the officeAngelica and her team work on a number of different projects, including new processes for manufacturing and testing products. As electrified power requires a major shift from the engineering of internal combustion engines, the team works together to learn and problem solve. 

“In my role, you need a mix of people skills and engineering skills,” Angelica said. “It’s not all about the engineering — you have to work with other people to get things done.”

Angelica has always enjoyed the personal aspect of connecting with coworkers and peers in her field. She first found Cummins through a Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) conference where Cummins led several workshops that piqued her interest in the company.

“One of the things that impacted me was how diverse, dynamic and open the Cummins people were,” Angelica said. “They showed a passion for developing leaders and the culture for me just acted like a magnet.” 

When Angelica first came to Cummins, she wanted to experience a variety of technical projects while also developing the people skills needed to take on a leadership role in the future. “At some point, I would love to move into the executive level and work on the bigger-picture projects,” Angelica said.


Empowering Hispanic engineers across the country

In her personal time, Angelica is actively involved in the community. She serves as the Corporate Relationship Chair for the Indiana chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. In this role, she works to showcase the value of hiring Hispanic engineers and their impact in the community. Angelica helps sustain the chapter by recruiting sponsors to donate funds or time to the organization in order to keep supporting the development of Hispanic engineers.

Cummins supports involvement in employee resource groups for every segment of our workforce. There are groups for black employees, young professionals, LGBT employees and dozens more.

“The resource groups help a lot in terms of organizing and supporting us together,” Angelica said. “We have workshops to learn new things and the company is passionate about spreading awareness of important issues, and also celebrating the milestones that are important to the diverse workforce. Whether it’s Black History Month or Venezuelan Independence Day, Cummins acknowledges and supports our celebrations.”

At Cummins, we encourage self-reflection as a tool for personal and professional growth. Every six months, supervisors check in with employees to see how they’re doing at work and in life and develop plans for the future.

“With consistent check-ins, you have a lot of power to steer your career in the direction you want to take it,” Angelica said. “Managers care about you as a person too. Personal development isn’t just an option, it’s an expectation.”

Between career coaching, mentorship, workshops, training and structured feedback, Cummins is committed to strengthening all employees and supporting career development in every way. Employees are encouraged to identify the gaps in their skillset and improve those gaps until they become strengths.

“Cummins’ values of employee development aren’t just corporate lingo for marketing purposes,” Angelica said. “These values actually exist within everything the company does. You are given such a massive amount of resources to develop yourself. The possibilities are truly endless.

 

Interested in a Career at Cummins? Check out our Careers site

Want to hear more from our team? Find more employee stories here.
 

Lauren Cole

Lauren is the Senior Digital Communications Specialist for Cummins Inc, where she focuses on social media, employee storytelling, and employer branding. Lauren joined the company in early 2017 and has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Indiana University. 

Supporting Indigenous communities

Cummins announces commitment to Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) Program

Cummins announces commitment to Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) Program

Cummins Inc. delivers superior solutions for its customers to power their communities and the world. It does that with the company’s steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – winning with the power of difference. 

In honor of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and as part of Cummins’ objective to create positive and meaningful relations with Indigenous businesses and communities in the region, Cummins is proud to announce it is now at the “Committed” level of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) Program.

Shashiraj Shanbhag, Vice President, Product & Service Management – Canada, and leader of the Canada Indigenous Relations initiative at Cummins: “We have been doing a great deal of work specific to Indigenous communities in Canada for several years. Since recently joining the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations Program at the Committed Level, the program will provide Cummins with external validation to all the work our employees have been doing and additional opportunities to do even more. The PAIR certification is an excellent opportunity for us to measure and strengthen our work in deepening relations with Indigenous communities throughout Canada.”


The work of PAIR


Established by the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, the PAIR Program is a rigorous, independent third-party certification program for corporate performance in Indigenous relations. The process evaluates measurable outcomes and initiatives in four performance areas: Leadership Actions, Employment, Business Development and Community Relations.

Since its inception in 2001, PAIR has maintained its position as the foremost corporate social responsibility program, with a distinct focus on Indigenous relations. PAIR's certification program instills a strong sense of confidence in communities due to its foundation on independent third-party validation of company reports, and the ultimate company rating is decided by a panel of Indigenous business professionals. As a PAIR committed company, Cummins will undergo the process of external verification and work collectively with the CCIB and Indigenous stakeholders toward the long-term goal of achieving Gold Certification.


The work of Cummins Canada


Cummins’ commitment to PAIR is another step on the company’s journey to building a diverse global culture, which includes expanding its relations with Indigenous Peoples in Canada and around the world. As part of this journey, Cummins and its employees located in Canada have taken the following steps:

  • Established an Indigenous Relations team with about 15 active volunteers across Canada
  • 1400+ employees in Canada have completed Indigenous Awareness Training
  • Supported initiatives for Indigenous communities in areas of Education and Equity with more than USD 100,000 of funding from Cummins Grant

As a global organization amongst a diverse and growing group of companies from across Canada that share a commitment to the Indigenous community, Cummins Canada continues to develop relationships with Indigenous peoples across the country and seeks ongoing ways to support the communities in which it lives and works. In its commitment to fostering positive change, Cummins also looks inward, engaging its own employees in initiatives that promote understanding, respect and collaboration with Indigenous peoples. 

To learn more about Cummins’ ongoing commitment to not only Indigenous communities but to the many communities employees live and serve throughout the world, please visit cummins.com
 

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

Happy 20th anniversary to Cummins Czech Republic

Cummins Czech Republic - 20th Anniversary

Cummins Czech Republic is celebrating the 20th anniversary of being a wholly-owned distributor of Cummins Inc.

Before April 2004, Cummins customers in the Czech Republic relied on an independent distributor primarily concerned with the power generation market plus a number of independent repair shops.

Before April 2004, Cummins customers in the Czech Republic relied on an independent distributor primarily concerned with the power generation market plus a number of independent repair shops.

Creating a Cummins-owned distributor was seen as key to establishing a strong and reassuring presence in a developing market, which over the past two decades has become a major manufacturing base for several globally recognised original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The bulk of the customers served by Cummins Czech Republic, whose remit incorporates neighbouring Slovakia, operate in the agriculture, power generation, mining and construction market segments.

There are also key automotive accounts as well as direct support for national institutions and infrastructure projects.

Cummins Czech Republic was launched one month ahead of the country being welcomed into the European Union as an official member in April 2004.

Accession to the EU was seen as a turning point for the Czech Republic as it opened up the country to new opportunities for investment and growth.

Highly competitive labour costs and a skilled workforce made it an attractive proposition as a manufacturing hub.

“We started here at our headquarters in Prague with just three employees and one technician,” said Lukas Skoda, Cummins Czech Republic Country Leader.

“Today, we have 19 employees, six technicians and four independent authorised dealers covering our territory. We also support the dealer networks of some of our OEM customers.”

Lukas said everyone within the business was proud to reach the 20-year milestone.

“Over the past two decades, we have seen engine technology develop considerably, and we have responded to our customers’ demands for ever greater levels of technical and strategic support,” he said.

Back in April 2004, Europe was at Euro III/IV emissions certification for automotive engines and Stage II for mining and industrial engines to be certified. Now, the standard is Euro VI for diesel, natural gas and hybrid, working toward Euro VII, and mining and industrial engines are at Stage V.

Meanwhile, Cummins is making technical advancements in new power solutions, including powertrains, batteries and fuel cells, which will help enrich future partnerships with customers in the Czech Republic and across Europe.

In its 20 years of operation, Cummins Czech Republic has established itself as a force for good in the community. More than 90% of Cummins Czech Republic employees participate in Cummins Every Employee Every Community (EEEC) volunteer programme annually.

Since 2016, employees have volunteered more than 900 EEEC hours to help local community partners that are supporting environmental education, restoration and waste reduction as well as projects focused on reducing isolation for the elderly.

The success of Cummins in the Czech Republic and Slovakia over the past 20 years owes much to the commitment of a loyal and hardworking team that has pulled together to create successful partnerships with customers in a variety of business segments.

“Becoming an integrated part of Cummins was a huge step for us in the Czech Republic and showed a level of confidence in the country that I believe we have justified over 20 years,” said Lukas Skoda.

“Now, with so many new technologies available to us, so many strong relationships and such a strong vision of where we want to be as a business, we are ready and excited about the next chapter.”

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