February 20, 2024 by SME Communications Who is Vaughn M. Hall, Jr.? From a young age, I've always enjoyed taking apart toys – mine and my sisters' – just to see how they functioned and then put them back together. This early interest naturally led me to pursue science and engineering. Upon joining Corning, I was tasked with a project that was based overseas in Japan, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for significant learning and growth beyond the United States. Working abroad proved to be a transformative experience, exposing me to diverse and rich cultures, traditions, and perspectives. This immersion played a pivotal role in cultivating a global mindset, enhancing my ability to comprehend and value diverse approaches to thinking, problem-solving, and life in general. Embracing this opportunity for cultural diversity early in my career has profoundly influenced my global perspective ever since. In my experience, achieving a perfect work-life balance is a bit of a myth. Instead, work and personal life often have their own cycles of peaks and valleys, each taking precedence at different times. The key lies in understanding these cycles within your job and maintaining open communication with those affected by it. During peak work periods, it's crucial to communicate with family, emphasizing your commitment to accomplishing work tasks. Conversely, during the quieter phases, there's an opportunity to focus on family, hobbies like boxing and golfing, and social activities, cherishing the valuable time spent with loved ones and friends. Vaughn's Career Journey In my current role, I deal with overseeing the development of large capital projects and plants, both in- and outside the United States. Managing extensive projects for business expansion, particularly on an international scale, comes with its own set of challenges. The experience of contributing to the growth of both the business and my own professional capabilities serves as a constant motivator, propelling me to tackle these challenges and broaden my skill set. Knowing that the products we create play a role in peoples’ everyday lives is a powerful motivator to strive for excellence in my work. The broad reach of engineering, influencing virtually everything we do each day, often goes unnoticed by many. It's truly gratifying to recognize that my efforts, in some way, contribute to making a positive impact on the world around us. Being recognized as a 2023 Donald C. Burnham Manufacturing Management Award recipient has further solidified my dedication to excellence in manufacturing management. This honor has underscored the importance of continuous improvement, effective leadership, and strategic decision-making in driving success within the manufacturing industry. Teamwork in Engineering Collaborating with engineers and scientists offers a unique opportunity to cultivate innovation through creativity and open discussions. It's about fostering an open environment where creativity can flourish, enabling the free flow of innovative concepts and brainstorming. Witnessing these ideas progress through various phases, from conceptualization to the final product, is truly rewarding. It all boils down to actively encouraging and cultivating open discussions that pave the way for the next wave of innovations. With diverse backgrounds, understandings, and perspectives, everyone brings something unique to the table. I actively foster engagement by seeking insights from each team member, valuing their varied perspectives. Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in deciphering cues from conversations—be it in tone, body language, or expression—enabling a deeper understanding of how team members feel. Facilitating open discussions within the team is paramount for effectiveness in tackling tasks. Impact on Society Engineering indeed has a pervasive impact on everyone's lives, even if it often goes unnoticed. Many may not realize that engineering is intricately woven into every aspect of our daily activities and surroundings. For example, Corning’s glass is hard at work inside so many of the televisions and devices we use every day. While it may not always be an engineer who develops the initial idea, the process of bringing that idea to fruition involves engineering principles. It's about translating concepts into tangible products through the systematic application of scientific knowledge and innovation. How is Technology Shaping the Future of Engineering? I believe the next thing in technology is A.I. It holds immense potential as a resource to expedite comprehension of complex calculations, swiftly identify inefficiencies, and enhance the efficiency of experiments for superior outcomes. The crucial aspect lies in comprehending how to integrate A.I. seamlessly into engineering processes, thereby shaping our technological landscape for the future. Embracing this evolving technology has the capacity to revolutionize the way we approach problem-solving and innovation in engineering. Advice for Aspiring Engineers I share this advice with students, young professionals, and my colleagues today. And that is: know your craft. If you can thoroughly master your specialty or area of expertise, it will unlock opportunities that will fuel your passions, enhance your career, and ultimately be a driving force for good within your team, company, or industry. I sincerely believe this and try to live it every day.
