Julianne Fatula
Q: What are your responsibilities?
A: As a project manager for Covestro, I am responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams in the design and construction of small to medium capital projects to improve the safety, capacity, efficiency and reliability of the production units at our Baytown, Texas, facility. I lead the project team from developing the scope for an idea all the way to seeing it become a reality. At Covestro, our vision is to make the world a brighter place, and contributing beyond a technical role is encouraged. I carve out time to lead the site’s Council for Diversity Awareness as well as mentor area high school students pursuing work in STEM fields.
Q: What led to your position, and what education does it require?
A: After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in chemical engineering, I started in a two-year rotational development program at Covestro, which offered me diverse exposure to opportunities in industry. One of the lead project managers at our site became my mentor and later offered me a spot on his team. His mentorship helped develop my project management skills, which are difficult to obtain in a classroom. The theories from my chemical engineering background fostered my ability to solve problems and work as part of a team, which is crucial for my position. I also recently earned a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Q: What are the most challenging aspects of your position?
A: Effectively communicating with a wide range of internal stakeholders can be challenging, but taking a proactive approach helps to alleviate issues that could arise. I establish channels of communication and expectations from the start and maintain open communication throughout the course of the project. Covestro fosters a culture of high performance and collaboration that can only be achieved through strong communication and teamwork.
Q: What has been your proudest achievement so far in your role?
A: Since projects can take years to plan and execute, there is a big sense of accomplishment when construction is completed and start-up commences. In a collaborative atmosphere, it feels great to be in the field or in the control room when we first watch the process come to life. It creates a sense of personal pride to be thanked by an operator for making a process safer to operate or easier to maintain. It means I’ve made a difference in contributing to our goal of safe, reliable and efficient operations through our people.
Q: What has surprised you most about your job?
A: At Covestro, employees are encouraged to embrace different viewpoints that help us solve problems in innovative ways. I have been impressed with employees’ openness and willingness to share their expertise to help new colleagues have a successful start. Though schedules can be busy, people at the site take the time to guide and teach the next generation of workers, even if that means staying late to finish their own work. I am grateful for the guidance, commitment and team atmosphere I have experienced in the four years I have been in an industrial setting.
Q: What do you enjoy about your role?
A: In project management, I love being part of a team that works together to reach a common goal. We solve problems in innovative ways as a team, incorporating creativity and diverse viewpoints. While each project is different, it requires building from previous experiences while acquiring new knowledge and connections with subject matter experts. As a member of a global company, I enjoy utilizing our international network of specialists to learn from and work with to develop the best solutions for our company’s needs.
