Dil Choudhury
Engineering Programme Manager, 3M
Connecting people, ideas and science
Dil has spent a lot of his life travelling from place to place, which wasn’t always easy, especially during his studies. This was until Dil discovered the power of being open to making connections.
From Thai boxing clubs to professional mentors and family, Dil has tapped into this powerful support network to help progress his career in surprising ways.
Connections are hugely important in his day-to-day work. Throughout Dil’s education and career, he has benefitted from developing solid relationships with people. Let’s dig into how they have shaped Dil’s journey…
I grew up in Nottinghamshire and, when I was 11, moved with my family to Bangladesh. We came back to the UK when I was 14 and I found it tough to get back into the swing of things academically.
The other kids in my class were part-way through GCSEs, so I had to work extra hard to catch up. Through my determination and enjoyment of science in school, I went on to study for a national diploma in the subject. I then studied chemistry part-time at Loughborough College, while working in a restaurant, before taking up a job with 3M, a material-science-based company that makes all kinds of products used in industry, healthcare, offices and our homes, as a lab technician.
This sense of determination followed me whilst I worked my way up through several different roles, becoming a senior lab technician with responsibility for complex testing and training. During this time, I also studied part-time for a Higher National Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences. And after a change in career direction into Learning & Development, I went on to study for an honours degree in Business Studies and a postgraduate certificate in Management.
In 2018, I moved to Saudi Arabia to take up the role of Quality Systems Manager for a new 3M manufacturing plant. I relied on my network back in the UK for support and guidance as I needed to develop systems from scratch to get the site up and running.
I’ve done a lot of travelling with 3M, to places such as the US, Switzerland, Germany, France and India. During each visit, I met tonnes of new people who, along the way, have shared their knowledge and experience with me – and vice-versa.
Juggling studying and working through all the twists and turns in my career journey wasn’t always easy but all of my supervisors at 3M have been incredibly supportive and sponsored both my education and professional development. I’m very grateful to them for this!
Because of the support that I have been given throughout my career, I now love giving back to others and am currently mentoring an engineer and supporting him as he works towards a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Currently, I also lead 3M’s Optimised Operations programme for the North Europe Region. It’s a two-year structured manufacturing and supply chain development programme that provides university graduates joining 3M with the opportunity to jump-start their careers. I also act as a coach and mentor to industrial placement students.
When I speak to the engineers and scientists on the scheme, I always tell them to make the most out of any opportunity available. Sure, taking on new things might be challenging at first, but sometimes you’ve just got to ride that wave of fear of the unknown to grow as an individual and develop your career.
At 3M, we have a wide range of learning and networking opportunities such as the Tech Forum (a group of employees in technical roles across the company that share ideas and expertise) and the opportunity to become a STEM Ambassador and participate in 3M-supported volunteering opportunities in the local community.
Whatever stage you are at in your career journey, I encourage you to do the same – seek out opportunities to expand your networks and maintain these connections as you go on to develop in your career.
Outside of work, I run a Thai boxing club, teaching martial arts to local residents, ranging from five-year-olds to adults, and coaching participants from amateur through to professional level. Again, I have established a strong network of contacts across the country whom I can tap into to help develop our club.
All the roles I have held at 3M have involved an element of coaching and mentoring and this is something that I am passionate about. In return, I’ve gained an immensely supportive network to help me solve problems and act as a sounding board in critical career decisions.
Of course, my family is always there for that too and my wife, Sirina, and our children, Zaid, Ayaan, Imaani and Daania, are my greatest supporters.