How cool is your job if it involves championship racing, world travel and the newest e-mobility technologies? For Stephanie Medeiros, who grew up loving Formula One car racing in Montréal, her job as a global e-mobility professional and global account executive with ABB Inc. is a consummate match.
Medeiros joined Montréal-based ABB, a pioneering technology company that works with industry, utilities, transportation and infrastructure, fresh after graduating in electrical engineering from McGill University, starting out as an entry-level project engineer. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ABB has given Medeiros varied career opportunities.
“I’m the kind of person who loves change,” says Medeiros. “Throughout my 11 years with the company, I’ve had many roles in different divisions and different teams – from technical engineering sales to management to leadership. I’m fueled by innovation and new opportunities, so being at ABB motivates me and keeps me excited for all the different roles I’m doing.”
Medeiros loves being part of finding solutions for future transport through Formula E racing, where all the cars are electric. Formula E is essentially a motorsport race that happens all around the world, she explains, but it’s also a good testing ground because the newest mobility technologies are tested right on the track before being brought to mass-market vehicles.
“There are so many cool projects that ABB is working on in terms of technology and innovation, such as e-mobility, robotics or automation projects,” says Medeiros. “I feel like my actions have a direct impact on making the world a better place. And I’m having fun doing it.”
From the beginning, Medeiros says, she felt she had full ownership of her projects and full support for each of the many moves she’s made within the company.
“I’ve always felt empowered about my own destiny at ABB,” says Medeiros. “Wherever I was in my career path and whenever I wanted to grow or gain specific skills, as soon as I voiced my views, the company had my back and provided me with training and opportunities.”
That support included personal development programs in management and leadership, as well as a functional competency assessment – a program that compares an employee’s skill set to what’s needed for a position. ABB also paid for Medeiros to earn a marketing diploma at McGill, which she says really helped her get to the next step.
Sylvie Bergeron, vice-president, human resources for Canada, says externally, ABB has several partnerships with post-secondary institutions, such as one with Sheridan College near Toronto, where students can gain hands-on experience with the newest robots on the market in a leading-edge lab. Internally, the company offers multiple training opportunities through My Learning, an ABB University e-learning platform.
“We believe in a culture of individual growth, where we empower employees and enable them to achieve their highest potential,” says Bergeron. “Whether it be technical competencies or soft skills training, employees have access to all the tools and resources they need to excel.”
Bergeron says ABB’s goal is to be on the leading edge of companies that shape Canada’s future. To that end, the company lives by its fundamental values of courage, care, curiosity and collaboration.
“Sometimes people talk about their values and they’re just words on the wall,” says Bergeron. “But here, they’re the cornerstone of our culture.
“One thing I’ve never seen before is the rate our employees come back after trying other companies. That’s a beautiful sign that they know they’re valued, that the work they do has a lasting impact.
“From building analyzers that measure atmospheric pressure in space, to improving safety in factories, to developing new technologies to combat pollution, ABB touches the lives of Canadians everywhere.”
