For electrical engineer Patrick Wallace, an interest in science has driven his curiosity for as long as he can remember.

“My uncle was my mentor for my high school senior project,” says Wallace, “and the project was creating a robot waiter with object detection and avoidance. That project gave me the confidence to pursue my electrical engineering degree.”

These early experiences shaped the person Wallace is today. They helped feed his love of science and engineering, instilling a passion in him that he still carries with him today.

Luckily for Cooper Tire, Wallace joined the company straight out of college, bringing his knowledge and dedication to one of the country’s foremost tire companies. In the normal day-to-day, Wallace is key member of a variety of project teams. He also plays an important role in machine upgrades and troubleshooting. This allows Cooper Tire to continue to run smoothly and efficiently, while injecting Wallace directly into an industry that he sees a lot of potential in.

To better serve Cooper Tire and the entire industry, Wallace is currently pursuing his Six Sigma Green Belt and preparing to take his Professional Engineer exam. He views these two activities as part of a path to long-term success.

“Setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time-bound) personal goals that are challenging to reach defines success,” he says.

For an electrical engineer, Wallace believes that the tire industry is one that should be considered. With the potential for career longevity, he thinks the tire industry is a natural fit for an engineer.

“I believe tires will continue to develop through changing material and overall design over the next 10 years,” he says. “This equates not just to longevity but to stability as well, a necessity in today’s job climate.”

The best advice Wallace has ever received, which he feels is paramount for anyone desiring growth, is “making mistakes is necessary.”

Perhaps the only thing holding him back is the limited number of hours in the day – and the physiological need for sleep. Not that he doesn’t have a plan to conquer that, too.

“I’d like to create a sleep machine that gives you all the benefits of six to eight hours of sleep in 30 minutes,” he says.

Fun Fact: Wallace would one day love to visit Western Europe, drive the Autobahn in a Lamborghini, and eat the hottest pepper in the world.