Hear from our employee: Sarah Bodó
“Based on my background, I have never thought to work as an IT person for one of the biggest materials science companies in the world," commented Sarah Bodó, Digital Operations Center Leader Europe. "So please don’t doubt about your skills and do apply for Dow although you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications.”
Born and raised in Hamburg – the major port city in northern Germany, Sarah Bodó joined Dow as a Process Automation Engineer in 2013. She is now Leader of Dow Digital Operations Center in Wiesbaden (DE) – being responsible for enabling Dow's Digital Strategy and accelerating the Manufacturing 4.0 Program in Europe - and part of the D-WIN Chapter Wiesbaden that aims at professional development of women locally and globally. In her life, there is no typical day but a pair of sneakers to go for a run in the morning is never missing in her bag.
How would you describe yourself?
Since I was 16 years old, I have always tried to be independent by studying and working at the same time. During my last year at the HAW Hamburg University, I did an internship at Dow Stade, within the maintenance department, that offered me the unique opportunity to put my knowledge into practice. Besides work I love traveling with my husband around the world to explore new countries and different cultures, doing yoga and getting involved in music and arts that help me be more creative.
How did you end up at Dow?
I joined Dow Stade as a student during the turnaround activities when I was 20 years old. I was involved in creating IT tools to improve the maintenance work on site and support my colleagues in related activities. After earning my universities degree “Media Computer Science”, I couldn’t find a career opportunity that could match with my aspirations at that moment. So, I accepted an offer from the Hamburg Exhibition Company “Hamburger Messe” and started working as an IT Application Manager. It took only a couple of months to receive a call from Dow that I couldn’t decline. My journey with Dow as a Process Automation Engineer was about to start.
“Exploring new countries and different cultures, doing yoga and getting involved in music and arts help me be more creative,” commented Sarah Bodó.
In November 2019 you have been named Digital Operations Center Leader for Europe. In this new role, how can you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Honestly, I am still learning how to maintain a healthy work-life balance. What mostly helps me is to block my calendar in the evening or sometimes in the morning for personal activities like exercises or creativity. Personally speaking, I am also lucky as my husband and I are both working at Dow. This helps us commute together in the mornings and evenings and sharing our hobbies like bouldering and fitness. If I have late meetings, I block my early afternoon to go to the gym or sometimes working from a café during my business trips helps me combine a nice atmosphere and work.
What advice do you have for young women who would like to join Dow?
Job descriptions are meant to describe a career opportunity as well as the skills required to cover a specific role. But if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications don’t give up and apply at Dow. And if no career opportunity matches with your background and skill set, submit your spontaneous application. Based on my personal experience, I have never thought to become an IT person for one of the biggest materials science companies in the world. However, I had someone who supported and encouraged me to apply at Dow. That person taught me to never doubt about my skills. At the end, we will learn quickly.
Can you picture yourself on Dow team? You can be our next colleague who helps us achieve our ambition of being the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Explore our career opportunities on careers.dow.com.
