Student Development & Recruitment
Promoting Global-minded Professionals

Uma Chowdhry

Director, DuPont Engineering Technology, DuPont
M.S. (Engineering Science). Ph.D. (Materials Science)

• Member, National Academy of Engineering
• Fellow, American Ceramic Society
• Member, Advisory Board to School of Engineering, Princeton University and the University of Delaware
• Member, Advisory Board to the Material Science Department, M.I.T.and the University of Pennsylvania
• Business Director, DuPont Terathane Products ($200 million merchant business)
• Technology Director, DuPont Engineering (500 person organization)

"A laser beam focus on the goal of getting the best possible education and burning lots of midnight oil brought me to the US from India in 1968. I was fortunate to receive an excellent education which helped to provide credibility in my job search. Early in my career with DuPont's corporate research labs, I sought out the most highly regarded researchers as friends and mentors. They provided me with an understanding of "how to play the game" in the corporate world. Luck and growth in new businesses brought me supervisory and managerial roles. My ability to communicate clearly, build a team, and deliver beyond managements's expectations through the work of the team were keys to my success. Life is always about making difficult choices and having to make some compromises to achieve one's goals. My career was such a full time commitment that my husband and I chose a life with no kids. We were able to achieve more balance in our lives and enjoy ourselves because of the decisions we made early in our careers.

My advice to young women is simple:

• Dream courageously
• Work hard to exceed expectations
• Seek out people with credibility for advice, help
• Establish your own credibility; communicate successes
• Make choices; don't look back
• Build teams; learn from others
• Give credit to others generously
• If things aren't working, make a change!
• Enjoy life