Latino Business Speakers Bureau: Barry Cordero
story by: David Gomez
Barry Cordero explains the importance of challenges in the pursuit of excellence with an analogy of how bones need force in order to grow. He likens this necessary pressure for bone growth to the necessary challenges’ individuals need for their career growth. “You should only stay in a position for as long as it is challenging to you”-he shares with absolute confidence in these words. This analogy is career advice he mentions among his strategies to succeed in the corporate world. As a young executive, Barry has already accomplished significant milestones and he continues to grow in his professional journey. Barry is the Director of Manufacturing Operations at Medtronics and the former CEO of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. He is a champion in promoting STEM careers for Latinos and he is hopefully optimistic of what the future has to offer Latinos pursuing those professions.
After Barry completed his training at the US Navy Nuclear Power Program, he pursued a bioengineering degree from the University of California at San Diego. His time at the US Navy showed him that he was capable of pursuing a career in engineering even though he had no role models from his upbringing in those roles. Many times, testing the waters sheds a light on the innerpotential. For Barry, the Navy provided him tools that empowered him to pursue the next challenging task. He set off for a career designing medical devices for Medtronics and moved upwards steadily. In less than ten years, Barry moved into leadership roles with added responsibilities and has actively led the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers during transition periods on more than one occasion. His drive is motivated by a desire to do good things for others. His work at Medtronic focuses on providing a better life for people with diabetes and he has an emphatic approach to improving the bottom line. Not only for profit, but to offer better products. Additionally, he takes an active role motivating young Latinos to pursue STEM careers and education.
As he reflects on the work he is doing, he is quick to share what has helped him sustain steady growth. He encourages to seek out a mentor who shares a similar background and who is in a position where the mentee wants to be. In his own experience, this strategy allowed him to establish a mentor relationship with another minority leader early in his career. His mentor trailblazed a path that allowed Barry to walk firmly and steadily throughout his career. He gave him feedback and encouragement when facing challenges. As Barry is on a forward path he wants to give the same encouragement that he has received. He helps young Latinos who are pursuing STEM careers with feedback and encouragement. He sees the importance in giving back and wants to continue findingways to bridge the gap for first generation Latinos who are going into the engineering field. It’s encouraging to see that his motivation to improve the lives of others drives him to find new ways to help Latino leaders and young Latino students in their career path.