Tauber Institute alumni bring their operations expertise to leadership roles in a wide variety of fields, all over the globe. Read about what some of our alumni are doing today, and learn about the impact their Tauber experience has had on their career paths.
MSE-Manufacturing, '01
Vice President, Global Digital Health
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
Jot Chahal (MSE-Manufacturing '01) has experience with medical device, pharmaceutical, metals, construction, aerospace, transportation, automotive, and electronics industries. As a "Growth and Innovation Specialist" he has developed a diverse toolset, which he employs in his current role as the Vice President of Global Digital Health for The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
Q: What drew you to the University of Michigan?
As a leader in interdisciplinary studies, Michigan offered the best of engineering and business school curriculum and exposure to world-class academics and peers.
Q: When you think back on your time with the Tauber Program, what stands out?
The excellence of internship program design and execution, and important lessons in interdisciplinary and teamworking skills.
Q: In what ways did your Tauber experience shape the professional that you are now?
Although not in operations right now, the experience provides an operational insight and viewpoint which is unmatched in my function, however, the global product development exposure and learnings are being applied daily.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your work life today?
The balance between short and long term, keeping a sense of urgency within the team, business model innovation, and work-life balance.
Q: What’s the most important thing to remember in business?
Change is the only constant, and culture trumps strategy.
Q: What recurring principles do see showing up in your career?
What gets you here won’t get you there, misaligned objectives between Marketing and R&D, a firm’s inertia to adopt disruptive change as it threatens existing models/structures, lack of cross-functionally experienced leadership
Q: What has been your biggest challenge?
Changing culture and people’s behaviors.
Q: How did your Tauber experience shape the professional that you are now?
It gave me an unbeatable platform to build my career and cross-functional exposure.
Q: What advice would you give to current or future Tauber students?
Take risks with your career, sign up for assignments which are off the beaten path.