Thursday, January 15, 2015

Interview with an Electrical Engineer(Power Systems)





Ramesh Khajjayam is an Electrical Engineer and is currently working as Consulting Systems Engineer at Siemens, Atlanta, USA. Born into not so well educated family, Ramesh did not have a mentor or guide during his career journey.  He empowered himself with information and is now a Licensed Professional Electrical Engineer. This is his career journey.




- What is Electrical Engineering?

Ramesh - It is a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism.

- What are you currently doing now?

Ramesh - I am a Consulting Systems Engineer and I lead a team of Engineers for power systems distribution projects in industries like metals, mining, paper etc. For example, when Siemens receives an order to build a substation for a new steel plant, I am consulted for executing that order. I will have to identify the electrical needs of steel plant, provide technical specifications for equipment like transformers, circuit breakers etc, design layouts for substation, perform analytical studies, test and commission the equipment, execute the order and provide support.

- When and how did you first realize that you wanted to become an Electrical Engineer?

Ramesh - In my 10th grade, I first learned about the concept of electricity and became very interested in it. We all take electricity for granted and I took it too. But when I first learned about power, current, voltage, energy and the amazing capability of electrons, protons and neutrons, I became very interested in Electrical concepts.

I chose mathematics, physics and chemistry as my majors in high school and picked a career in Electrical Engineering.

- How did you continue to pursue your passion for Electrical Engineering after Bachelors degree?

Ramesh - I am blessed to receive quality education in my Electrical Engineering and few courses like Transmission & Distribution, Switchgear and Protection, Power Systems Analysis, Controls and Signal Processing took my interest to next level. I realized that I had to get further education and specialize to pursue my passion.

I chose MS program in West Virginia University as they have a dedicated research program in Power Systems and graduated with specialization in Power Systems. 

- What happened after graduation? What is your first job? And how did you get your first job?

Ramesh - MS in Electrical Engineering was not a smooth ride. I was one of the 15 students in my program and we all were very fearful of job opportunities. We all kept hearing about lack of job opportunities for those specializing in Power Systems and most of my classmates chose different electives not relating to Power Systems in their 2nd year.  

I didn’t get a job right away after my graduation. I changed my strategy in job search by expanding my horizon from local/utility companies to Multinational companies. Siemens contacted me after applying online and offered me a job with visa sponsorship.

- What is most enjoyable being an Electrical Engineer?

Ramesh - I enjoy planning/building power distribution systems like substations for heavy industries. Bidding/Proposal phase and Execution phase my most favorite phases of the projects I take up.

- What challenges (professionally, personally, physically) did you face in this career journey? And how did you overcome these challenges?

Ramesh -I never had a mentor or guiding force all along. None of my family members received education beyond 12th grade and I had no one to look upto to pursue my passion. I empowered myself with information gathered from school friends, and Internet.

I researched extensively for MS program on the Internet. I went to every university website and looked into programs, and specializations. I even contacted professors and enquired about their specialty/expertise.

I flew from India to US on a student visa and it wasn’t easy finding a job given my immigration status. I needed visa sponsorship with a job offer. Luckily Siemens gave me the ticket after changing my job search strategy.

With hard work, discipline, perseverance combined with luck, I finally became what I wanted to become.

- What advice do you have for young Engineers? How can they become successful Electrical Engineers?

Ramesh - I suggest young people to build up expertise in following skills.

Attention to detail – One has to pay at most attention to detail and there is no room for error when working with electricity. It can be hazardous.

Technical – One has to have wide range of technical knowledge with strong understanding of physics fundamentals, basics of electromagnetics, mathematical complex equations theory, and control systems

Analytical – One has to be able to analyze the cause of problem, determine the best solution and quickly take action.

Communication – Communication abilities to deal with clients, vendors, internal team, project managers, lead engineers etc on different levels

Inquisitive – Ready to embrace the ever emerging new trends in the electrical engineering yet remain focused on the core theories behind gigantic machinery and systems

Team Player – Electrical engineers are always team players. It is important to develop oneself to be able to share and gain knowledge from team members because everyone thinks and executes things differently

Education – Core courses in electrical engineering are mandatory. In addition, the engineers will continue learning during the professional career to enhance the skills and keep up to date with the trends in the market

To learn more about Electrical Engineering and job opportunities in US -

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm#tab-1

Friday, January 9, 2015

Interview with a Clinical Psychiatrist



Gopinath Gorthy is a Psychiatry resident and is currently in his final year residency at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital based in Washington, District of Columbia, US. Born into a middle class family from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India, Gopinath Gorthy is on the path to become successful Psychiatrist working in the capital city of World’s most powerful country. This is his career journey.





- What is Psychiatry?

Gopinath - Psychiatry is about diagnosing and treating emotional problems and mental illness. In addition to the assessment and therapy, psychiatrist prescribes medication or provides specific diagnosis.

- What are you currently doing now?

Gopinath – I am working as a final year resident at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital that specializes in treating individuals with chronic persistent mental illness. Since this hospital is state psychiatric hospital for District of Columbia, I get a chance to serve people with severe persistent mental illness.

- When and how did you first realize that you wanted to become a Psychiatrist?

Gopinath – During my medical school clinical rotations, psychiatry rotation appealed to me the most. I enjoyed conversations with my patients and was fascinated by their stories. There was never a dull moment and each person’s root cause for their emotional problems were unique. When I realized that’s not the case with other specialties, I became more interested in Psychiatry.

- What challenges have you faced in this career journey?

Gopinath - I wanted to get quality education and training from US medical schools/hospitals after my medical school graduation because US medical institutions have reputation for having advanced knowledge on psychiatric illness and treatments. And it was very challenging to obtain a visa and specialize in psychiatry for a medical graduate like me coming from India. In addition to the immigration challenges, it was also very hard for me financially to continue my studies in medical school. Just the USMLE exam fees were above my means.

- How did you overcome these challenges?

Gopinath - I made some friends with Kurnool Medical School Alumni and with their help and referral, I found a job as House Officer in Caribbean Islands. And this opportunity has given me a chance to work and save some money for USMLE exams.

In Caribbean Islands, I worked as General Physician for some time and then moved to Psychiatry. I got a chance to work under the supervision of two great forensic psychiatrists who later became my mentors. These mentors helped me get to where I am today as Psychiatrist in addition to my own research on Internet. And this work experience as Psychiatrist really helped a lot in obtaining residency after taking USMLE.

- What is most challenging part in working as Psychiatrist?

Gopinath - As a psychiatrist, one has to listen to traumatic and depressive stories often and when that happens you get emotionally drained.

So we get supervision from experienced psychiatrists after working on cases with tough patients.

- Were there days you wished you were not a Psychiatrist?

Gopinath – Yes, when you see very demanding patients, drug abusers and aggressive patients. But you learn to treat and help even tough patients with the help of mentors during residency training.

- What is most enjoyable in being as a Psychiatrist?

Gopinath - I love being a Psychiatrist and enjoy going to work every day. I feel happy that I get a chance to help somebody each day. The idea of saving somebody’s life is very satisfying.

When I talk to my colleagues practicing internal medicine. I feel that their work is almost predictable …it’s either diabetes/cholesterol or some other condition. But I have a different day every day and different story from every consultation. Even if I am seeing the same patient every other day, I am dealing with a different issue.

- What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

Gopinath - Residency is like a training program, on the job training. I see patients every day and prepare a case.

During first two years, we work with inpatients under the supervision of Attending in variety of settings like adult patients with mental illness, veterans with mental illness, substance abusing patients etc.

During third year, we see outpatients, and in the fourth year, we consolidate the experience from first three years to become a well-rounded psychiatrist.

- What do you think is the most important in becoming a successful psychiatrist?

Gopinath - Single most important thing to being a psychiatrist is empathy. You have to be able to put yourself in other people’s shoes and be able to see and feel what they are feeling.

- Do you suggest any resources for students interested in pursuing psychiatry?

Gopinath – There is a lot of information readily available on the Internet. These are some websites to learn about becoming a physician in states – ECFMG.ORG, USMLE FORUM, and KAPLAN USMLE.

USMLE forum, associations like Doctors of Indian origin are few sources that students can refer to if they are really interested in knowing more about residency and admission process in States.

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