When I began my career at Eaton, I was transitioning from a hospitality background—wedding planning, event coordination, and working in catering and restaurants. I was ready for a change, and through a friend of a friend, I found an opportunity at Eaton and was hired. It was a much-needed shift, and I was eager to contribute, learning as many assembly positions and work centers as possible.
As I gained experience, I naturally began looking for ways to work smarter and improve efficiency. This mindset sparked a passion I hadn’t realized I had—a drive for continuous improvement. One of my first projects involved reorganizing a label cart that was frustratingly disorganized. With my supervisor’s approval, I partnered with the Manufacturing Engineer to gather resources and successfully completed the project, significantly reducing the time spent searching for labels.
The OPEX Manager heard about the project and approached me to discuss it. She praised the results and invited me to present at an upcoming OPEX meeting. Although I declined due to my discomfort with public speaking, that moment was pivotal. I remember thinking, I want to work for her and be part of the OPEX team—helping improve processes and make work easier for others. That goal took root in the third quarter of 2018.
Driven by that vision, I began applying for new roles. After three unsuccessful attempts, a position opened in OPEX for a Continuous Improvement Technician in Q3 of 2019—reporting indirectly to the same manager who had inspired me. When I saw the posting, I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement. I applied, was hired, and quickly discovered how much I love the work.
This role not only aligned with my passion that I didn’t know that I had but also inspired me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering to further my career at Eaton.
If you’re ready for a change, my advice is simple: Follow your passion and be patient. The right opportunity will come—and when it does, work won’t feel like work. It will feel like purpose.
—Amelia Perrow, Continuous Improvement Tech, Eaton
