Meet Rachael DeMeio ’06. Ms. DeMeio works for PPG.
Tell us about the work you do. What does your job entail?
In my current role, I complete market analysis within PPG’s Protective and Marine Coatings (PMC) group. The research focuses on market growth and activities, including upcoming projects that allow PPG to capture business on regional and/or global projects.
Previously I was the global product support manager within PMC, responsible for global customer project and product specification testing and approval. Prior to moving to corporate, I was a lead formulator on new-to-the-world technology within the Optical Products group.
How did La Roche prepare you for this position?
Research intensive labs, courses and seminars have helped me in using different tools and means to research and interpret data. Also, honest critique of writing and presentation skills have proved valuable in presenting professional documents for review, publication and meeting with peers.
La Roche afforded me the opportunity to establish my path by asking questions, seeking guidance and taking a variety of classes that helped support my educational interests – within and outside of the sciences.
Why did you choose La Roche?
La Roche is a smaller college that ensures students are the primary focus, fostering growth through teacher support, student-driven activities and student engagement. With an interest in the science, I also selected a college that had a strong program that would best prepare me for advancements following graduation.
What advice do you have for students?
Be confident in your knowledge and skills, but be humble enough to recognize there is much to learn and always room to grow.
Describe an experience with a faculty or staff member who made a strong, positive impact on you.
I speak of Dr. Don Fujito often, telling others of a professor I had who was positive, took time to work with his students and answer questions, and actually took time to teach the material. If you couldn’t understand something one way, he would try explaining it another way. There was never a stupid question.