Driven to Make a Difference: How Taylor M. Found Purpose and Community at Cummins Inc.

When Taylor M. arrived at the Cummins Technical Center in Columbus, Indiana, she hoped her new role would challenge her, stretch her and help her grow. What she didn’t expect was how quickly she would find a sense of purpose – and a community – that would shape her career in ways she never imagined.

Three and a half years later, Taylor is a Senior Combustion, Performance & Emissions (CPE) Engineer whose work, leadership and passion for learning inspire those around her. For her, engineering isn’t just about solving problems – it’s about moving meaningful work forward and helping others succeed along the way. “I want what I do to matter,” she says. “I want to make an impact.”

Every day brings a new opportunity to do exactly that. One moment, Taylor focuses on truck testing prep, ensuring everything is safe and ready for the field. The next, she’s collaborating across teams to troubleshoot an issue or push a project closer to completion. “This role gives me a balance of hands-on engineering and teamwork,” she says. “It keeps me curious. It keeps me growing.”

The people she works with, she says, are a major part of what makes her days fulfilling. “My teammates genuinely care about doing things the right way,” Taylor says. “There’s a real sense of pride and integrity in the work we do together.” Even in fast-paced moments, that shared sense of purpose keeps everyone aligned. “Here, you’re surrounded by people who want to help you succeed,” she adds. “And that inspires you to give your best every day.”

Along her career, Taylor has stepped into increasingly complex challenges – leading portions of major projects, supporting critical testing and working with teams that span borders and time zones. With each new experience, she’s found herself drawn not only to the technical side of engineering but also to empowering others. “I love solving tough problems,” she says, “but I also love helping teams grow stronger. That’s where I see my future.”

Cummins has played a defining role in shaping that future. Mentorship, hands-on experiences and encouragement from leaders have helped her expand her skill set, confidence and vision. Through the Tuition Assistance Program, she’s now earning her master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Purdue University. “Cummins invests in you,” Taylor says. “You feel supported not just as an engineer but as a person with goals, dreams and potential.”

That support shows up in other ways too. During challenging periods, Taylor has seen her team come together with flexibility and understanding. “When things get demanding, we don’t just push through – we support each other,” she says. “That kind of culture makes you believe you can take on anything.”

Taylor has also created space for others to thrive. Early in her career at Cummins, she founded the Cummins Next Generation (CNG) Employee Resource Group, which has since become a powerful community for early-career employees. “Seeing CNG grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career,” she says. “It showed me what’s possible when people come together with passion and purpose.”

Her day-to-day work connects directly to Cummins’ mission of powering a more prosperous world. Whether she’s troubleshooting, validating systems or working across teams to prepare products for customers, she takes pride in contributing to solutions that make a real difference. “I want the work I do to help deliver safe, reliable products,” she says. “Knowing that gives every task meaning.”

When Taylor reflects on why she chose Cummins, she thinks back to what she was searching for early in her career. “I wanted to be somewhere that believed in developing people,” she says. “I wanted to grow, learn and take on meaningful engineering challenges.” Cummins, she says, has given her all of that – and more.

For those thinking about joining the company, Taylor offers heartfelt advice. “Be open to learning and don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she says. “If you stay curious and build relationships, you’ll find opportunities you never expected. This is a place where you can grow a career you’re proud of.”

Today, Taylor stands at a point in her career where her passion, purpose and potential are aligned – and still expanding. “I’ve learned what parts of engineering inspire me most,” she says. “And I’ve realized how much I love leading, supporting and lifting others up. That’s the direction I’m heading.”

Her story is a reminder that when curiosity meets community – and when hard work is met with unwavering support – meaningful growth isn’t just possible. It’s inevitable.