Product developer in Big G (cereal division)

Whitni Cotton

Education: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, 2007

The engineering school Whitni Cotton attended prepared students for careers mostly in petroleum and pharmaceuticals. But Cotton was interested in a different path. While at a career fair for the National Society of Black Engineers, she spoke with a recruiter from General Mills (GMI). The conversation got her thinking about the engineering behind the bowl of Cheerios she ate every morning. Her curiosity led her to a career at General Mills, where she’s already helped launch a cereal of her own.

What was your first day like?
I started as an intern after my junior year, and I remember being nervous. What really put me at ease was meeting people with friendly faces. They were welcoming and open to questions, and they were enthusiastic about me being there. I felt like the company was well prepared for me—right away I started orientation, working with HR, talking to my manager about my project, and training on company safety and software. I felt I was given the resources I needed to get up to speed quickly.

What surprised you the most when you started?
The breadth of products that GMI offers. I worked on Old El Paso, and I didn’t previously know that GMI owned that business. I was impressed by all of the areas that I could explore within the company, from taco shells to Progresso soups.

Do you ever get to taste the products?
Yes. We have a taste panel at the technical center, and there are definitely opportunities to see what other people are working on and taste different products.

What’s something about General Mills that others may not know?
How much GMI gives back to the community. I think around 82 percent of our employees volunteer through the company or independently. Each division has a volunteer liaison, and I’ve done things with co-workers like packing meals for a homeless shelter and teaching students about food processing. General Mills also raises money for United Way, and runs Box Tops for Education and Save Lids to Save Lives.

Why do you think General Mills was ranked as a top employer?
For one I think employees get great work/life balance. We start with three weeks of vacation plus two personal days, and we have flexible working conditions because we can work from home or stagger our hours. There are also fitness centers on-site and various health and wellness programs. The company also appreciates having diverse employees and offers multiple networks for racial, ethnic, and gender diversity.

What are you most proud about in your work?
My work on Total Blueberry Pomegranate cereal. I like knowing I put a healthy product on the shelf that people can connect with. When it launched, I called home and told my mom to check it out in the grocery store. She is friends with a teacher from my elementary school, and they actually had me come in and talk to the students, so they could see that someone who went there was making a big impact.