Her Story
About Christy
Christy Cronin serves as Commercial Offer Manager, Intelligent Devices, North America at Rockwell Automation. She has spent her entire career in manufacturing, beginning at Thomas and Betts before joining ABB where she worked in account executive and global account management roles as well as project management. After two years in sales at Rockwell Automation upon moving back to Nebraska, she returned to ABB for additional project management experience and later rejoined Rockwell as MCC area manager. There she developed the proposal development team, which she led before her promotion to her current position four years ago. Cronin holds a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute and a degree in industrial distribution from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is a member of Rockwell Women in the Field and the Professional Women's Council. She attributes her success to a good upbringing, family support, and several great mentors throughout her career at ABB and Rockwell Automation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Christy
01What do you attribute your success to?
A good upbringing and family support. It takes a village. I've had several great mentors over my career at ABB and Rockwell who have stood out.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never be afraid of not knowing the answer. Admit that you don't know the answer. I would rather you be accurate and go find the information versus tell me something that you think I want to hear.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
We have to work harder than our counterparts because you come in at a disadvantage just out of the gate. But the world is yours to achieve. If you work hard and put in the effort, you'll succeed no matter what. Don't sell yourself short. Always think that you can do it and you will be able to. Stay strong with a positive attitude. There's going to be a lot that's going to try to get you down over the years, but if you stay strong with it and keep working on it, you will accomplish whatever it is you set your mind to.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Talent is the biggest challenge. A lot of people coming out of school want a career but have a rosy picture that they're going to be the CEO of the company. There's nothing wrong with having that dream, but don't feel like you failed because you don't make that dream. There's nothing wrong with being an engineer in Iowa and living about your career here versus being the CEO. There's a lot of joy and passion in it, and we need workers too. It's achievable to have the career and the family.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is number one. Being forthright and honest. I am a very direct person, and sometimes to a fault, but I see it as a virtue. It has helped me in business greatly throughout my entire career.
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