If ever there were a time to embrace change, these days are it. The pandemic has changed how many of us look at our careers and value our work. For Cory Chung, who grew up in Hawaii and recently moved to Normal, Illinois, for a job at Rivian, the decision to try something new came easily.
Cory has been working in the automotive industry for over 20 years. Starting out with an associate degree in applied science in auto technology, he later worked for a variety of auto service companies before becoming a group leader at a luxury auto manufacturer, managing a team and working with vehicle engineers. As he grew in his career, he wanted to do fabrication and work on solving hard problems. Cory was working on fleet vehicles for the city of Honolulu and looking for the next challenge when he learned about the End of Line Technician role at Rivian.
“The main reason I came to work at Rivian was to be part of the next generation of vehicle manufacturing. I get joy out of solving new technical challenges,” says Cory. He first discovered he would be working alongside experienced technicians with high-end auto skills when he was interviewing. “The questions were hard compared to other interviews I had.” When discussing the move to Normal, Cory says each person he talked to at Rivian had clear answers, which made him feel confident this would be a positive change, for his career and his family.
Cory and his wife, Lesley, were already considering a move off the island of Oahu. They knew living in Normal would be different, but they saw it as an adventure. It was the right role at the right time with the right mission, and came with the health and wellness benefits, and overall compensation package, that would be right for their family. “Lesley was 100% on board,” says Cory. “I did a visitation trip in February that gave me a very good understanding of what it would be like.” During that trip, Cory met with a real estate agent, toured several houses and made an offer. He closed on the house just after his start date in March.
So far, Cory says the role is exactly what he wanted it to be. “Every day is different. It’s the challenge of implementing different types of solutions and using my experience to have a part in a new auto technology.” When asked how he knew if the role would be right for him, Cory says the recruiter he worked with explained it well, and that they were looking for people with advanced electrical diagnostic skills and mechanical knowledge. “Similar to a dealership, we are hooking up diagnostic machines.” Part of his role is to help define resources for the diagnostics. In this way, Cory has a direct hand in shaping the process Rivian uses for vehicle quality control.
Mike Muniz, who has experience in advanced electric vehicle diagnostics, helped establish the End of Line role at Rivian. He says people who are comfortable using tools or have a background in computers perform the role especially well. “If you’re a positive person who loves to find solutions, are a go-getter and can follow instructions, you’ll do well,” says Mike. He adds, “There’s a lot of thinking on your feet at the end of the line. You just have to jump in and try. It’s really different each day.”
With his experience, there are many places Cory could have chosen to work. More than the excitement of a new opportunity in his same field, what stood out is Rivian’s mission and emphasis on being a supportive employer. “I haven’t worked at too many places where there is open dialogue, and people are receptive to offering feedback. It’s a really helpful culture and a new company with a lot of opportunity. I can see going the long haul with Rivian.”
When asked what he brings to the role that is unique to his personality, Cory says one of his best traits is the ability to adapt. He credits the complete support of his family as one of the things that made the decision to accept the offer easy. “Chance favors the prepared mind. We had been preparing to move, and then the opportunity was right. You never know until you try. I try to live adventurously, work hard, play hard. Rivian allows me to do that.”
