Not every engineer starts with a textbook. Some start with a wrench.

In this episode of Power Onward, Kim talks with Taylor about what it means to build a career from hands-on experience. Taylor shares how she went from managing an oil change shop to leading a 25-person test engineering team at Cummins. Through stories from the garage to the test cell, she shows how confidence and capability grow when curiosity leads the way.

Hear how Taylor’s real-world perspective shapes how Cummins validates engine performance, supports team development, and contributes to a more inclusive workplace.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How hands-on experience builds a strong foundation in engineering
• What engine testing looks like behind the scenes at Cummins
• How leadership and mentorship go hand-in-hand in technical environments

Additional Resources

• Cummins powers women
• Indiana Native Plants 
• SIU Automotive Technology Program
• Cummins: Social responsibility
• Cummins: Corporate responsibility 
  
  

Interested in learning more? Subscribe to the [3-minute Power Up] to get breakthrough stories and the latest innovations in power technology delivered  straight to your inbox: https://www.cummins.com/news/podcast#subscribe  

Dive into the conversation:

(00:00) This is Power Onward

(00:33) From oil changes to Cummins: how it all began

(02:34) Learning to trust her value in engineering spaces

(05:38) Navigating challenges as a woman in engineering

(08:14) How Cummins and gardening shaped Taylor’s purpose

(11:36) A deeper look at community, belonging, and leadership

(13:18) What it’s like inside the testing lab

(16:00) What night shift leadership taught her about resilience