Janet Goings

2014 Co-op Hall of Fame Inductee

Education

B.S. '82, Electrical Engineering, Purdue University
M.S. '87, University of Michigan

Professional Career

After completing her co-op program at General Motors, Goings has spent her entire career with the company. Starting as an associate engineer in product technology assessment, she held increasingly higher positions in various departments of the company, including Advanced Engineering, Creative Design, Marketing, Strategic Planning and Research & Development. Her contributions have included the development of advanced automotive control systems, new vehicle concepts, the launch of OnStar, growth market strategies, technology introduction strategies and the implementation of design thinking at GM.

Goings was involved in the creation of employee resource groups at GM, including founding the women’s employee resource group and eventually serving as its chair in 2003-2004, and has served on the board of GM PLUS, GM’s LGBTQ resource group. She has been a member of GM’s Purdue University Relations team for many years, enjoying the opportunity to stay involved on campus and to champion Purdue students and research at GM.

Goings currently serves as the Associate Director of Human Systems Experience, where she leads the company’s efforts in advanced user-centered design, design innovation, and experience design in GM’s Research & Development organization.

Co-op Alumna

Goings was a co-op with Delco Electronics, a division of General Motors. What has really stuck with her over the years is the continuing series of “aha!” moments in the grand synergy between work and school. Seeing concepts she learned in class applied at work and, conversely, learning in class about the theories and concepts behind what she did on her co-op experiences are what she credits most for her academic success.