Alumni who inspire: Beth Correll

Industrial engineering alumna Beth Correll chatted with us this month about her inspirational journey from WVU student to high-level professional coaching. (WVU graphic/Megan Rinker)

The alumni of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University represent the living legacy of our academic units; they are the embodiment of our values, achievements, and impact beyond our campus. Their journeys reflect the strength of the education they received and the community that shaped them. Whether they graduated last year or decades ago, our alumni continue to inspire, connect and help us create a lasting impact on Mountaineers to come!

In-depth Q&A with alumnus Beth Correll

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

For this month’s Alumni Who Inspire series , we're honored to feature industrial engineering alumna Beth Correll. With over 26 years at The Hershey Company, Correll is a seasoned executive leader with expertise in finance, procurement, operations, and strategic transformation. Most recently serving as senior director of Hershey’s global finance transformation, leading the program to drive modernization and improvement across organization design, talent development, processes and systems. Throughout her career, Correll has consistently delivered measurable impacts, managing multi-billion-dollar spend categories, overseeing global sourcing and procurement strategies, and leading teams responsible for enterprise-wide cost savings and productivity improvements. Her leadership across roles in Commercial Finance, FP&A, Gross Margin Improvement, and Strategic Sourcing reflects a proven track record of operational excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and business transformation.

Known for being a people-first leader, she has developed and mentored high-performing teams, driving both career growth and organizational success. Her work has touched nearly every area of the business — from manufacturing and packaging to supplier management and brand support — making her a trusted, versatile leader across functions.

Last year, she founded Step Function Coaching, where she specializes in helping mid-level professionals escape burnout, stagnation, and being overlooked - guiding them into roles that reflect their full potential.

 

Q: Thank you so much for joining us for our Alumni Who Inspire Program! Let’s get started! We know that industrial engineering is in your DNA! You were born and raised in Morgantown, and you embraced the same halls where your father taught, determined to carve out your own path while carrying forward the values and commitment he exemplified.

A: Thank you for reaching out to me. I'm truly honored to be included in this program. Indeed, the Statler College and industrial engineering hold a very special place in my heart. Not only is it where I grew up academically and personally, but it’s also where my father, the late Dr. Don Gochenour, was a respected professor at the college for many years.. He instilled in me an appreciation for knowledge, community, and the power of hard work. He used to take me and my brother into work on the weekends, so walking the same campus halls he once did, and eventually graduating from the same institution, was incredibly meaningful to me. And now, to have the opportunity to give back, share my journey, and hopefully inspire current students, it feels like a full-circle moment!

Q: Wonderful! Speaking of the journey, can you tell us what helped you while at WVU? How did you explore your intellectual and academic interests?

A: I found out that when pursuing an engineering degree full-time and working part-time, there isn’t a lot of time to explore additional academic interests! I leaned into leadership opportunities where I could find them. Fun fact, I was the president of the Society of Women Engineers in their inaugural year at WVU. Back in the day, when a vending machine was the only source of food in the building, our pepperoni roll fundraisers were a huge hit!

Q: You balanced both work and school during your time in the industrial engineering major which can be incredibly demanding. What helped you stay motivated and focused during those times?

A: My father passed away when I was almost 11 years old, and there was a piece of me that wanted to continue his legacy. In addition to that underlying motivation, I would say there was a trifecta of support and inspiration that helped to get me through…

1. My friends – I was fortunate to have a close-knit group of friends from the Statler College who really bonded and supported each other.
2. Faculty – Especially Emeritus Professor Jack Byrd, who pushed me out of my comfort zone on multiple occasions for the sake of growth, especially during that time study assignment that required a ride-along with a water works municipal employee who really didn’t want me there (awkward).
3. The Alumni – The IE alumni were physically present quite often, and I found this inspirational, especially seeing Margaret Hall, a successful female IE in a highly male dominated field. I wanted to be that successful female engineer someday.

Q: You pushed hard, and your career has taken you from engineering roles as a student leader all the way to senior leadership. Along that journey, what did you discover about yourself?

A: I feel like I’ve had 4 separate career lives. It turns out transferable skills are a very powerful thing. My first 15 years were spent in more traditional IE roles in industrial electronics and then chocolate; my next 9 years were in Global Procurement for The Hershey Company; then 6 years in Global Finance for Hershey; and most recently I’ve launched my own career coaching business called Step Function Coaching, helping mid-level professionals get intentional about their own career paths.

As I worked my way from engineer to senior director, the common thread that I discovered was that I loved developing people.  Sure, it’s fun to write a capital project to help get a new manufacturing line installed, but it’s even more fun to help someone grow and develop and see them get promoted to become the next director of supply chain.

Q: Speaking of developing others, can you share some advice?

A: Absolutely! In fact, I will share this in the context of 3 top tips I would give to students:

1. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth lives outside your comfort zone. You get used to it, I promise.
2. If you’re 60% ready for a role, you’re ready enough. No one expects you to be 100% ready for any role. Once you’ve completely mastered any job, that’s actually your cue that it’s time to start looking for what’s next.
3. Bring people along on your work. Don’t wait until the end to unveil a finished project. Asking for input and perspective along the way leads to a stronger work product, and more likely support from key stakeholders.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights and your journey with us Beth. It is incredibly inspiring to hear your dedication to mentoring and staying engaged with programs like this to truly make a difference for our community! Your willingness to give back, share your wisdom and invest in the next generation of leaders is a powerful example of what it means to be an alumna. We are so grateful for your continued involvement!

The Alumni Who Inspire! Program in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources recognizes alumni for their dedication to their professions, our college and West Virginia University. The program was launched in fall 2023 as a monthly discussion board with Statler alumni. Join us next month to learn more the inspiring journeys of our community members. Let’s Go!

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