Covid has given us an opportunity to work in innovative styles
Published on : Monday 01-03-2021
Reetu Khanna, General Manager-Instrumentation at EIL.
What prompted you to pursue a career in engineering?
Candidly speaking, I wanted to pursue medicine but God had alternate plans. My parents pursued me to break the stereotyped studies women were supposed to go in for and emboldened me to tread a different path. This along with academic excellence paved the way for engineering, where fewer women ventured into at that time. Their confidence gave me the courage to move ahead. But once I stepped into it, I enjoyed every step of it. I worked harder at each rung of the ladder and today I am positioned at a point, which gives me immense satisfaction.
Having obtained the qualification, what was the experience in getting a job?
Getting a job required clearing through various technical, analytical and logical reasoning written tests, participating in group discussions and the final personal interview. It was not easy sailing. Although with due preparation, I could make it to various companies like SAIL, Apollo Tyres and Engineers India Limited (EIL). EIL was the final destination.
Is a career in engineering more demanding vis-à-vis other options?
All jobs require time and dedication. Once you learn to enjoy your work, all career demands can be easily accomplished.
Often projects demand stay away from home. How is that experience?
Going on tours – domestic and overseas – is crucial towards work equality. Sharing equal responsibilities gives you equal power. I had the golden opportunity to go on numerous tours abroad on various projects ranging from refineries to petrochemicals, engaging in discussions with various licensors, at vendor's works and contractor offices for review of documents. It is a huge learning exposure, since, instead of compartmentalising oneself, reviews are done along with specialists of all disciplines in a design review, and gives one a holistic view of the entire Project and, in turn overall work satisfaction. The experience gained has enriched my knowledge, helped establish rapport with colleagues and enhanced my personality. The site tours have enabled me to understand the real at-site problems faced and to provide solutions, where required. It also provides clarity for execution of the future Projects. All of it has enabled me to take decisions and the ability to lead.
Have you ever missed a career opportunity or promotion due to gender?
Gender bias has never been a concern in EIL. The organisation provides a very safe and cordial working environment. The office work culture has groomed me into what I am today. It has provided me ample opportunities to grow, empowered me with knowledge and to promote new ideas. Promotions have been purely based on merit.
Are workplaces today more sensitive to gender issues than a generation earlier?
True. Workplaces these days thrive to support women in the professional role. They are now treated as equals. In fact, Women are ‘More than Equals’, since they put in extra efforts, both at home and at the workplace. And this little extra effort gives them extra mileage in terms of achieving targets, gaining recognition and work pleasure.
Is there a glass ceiling when it comes to leadership roles in engineering?
There is no room for glass ceiling in matters of engineering and technical excellence. A woman leads by setting an example. Providing guidance to co-members, regular reviews and critical checks pave the way for accomplishing a leadership role with full cooperation from all counters.
What has been the experience with seniors at works and the management?
Both the seniors and the management have been very supportive in all the endeavours. They are always available for help in technical matters and in providing the required manpower to enable one to accomplish tasks. We have an open communication system, wherein we can walk into the office of seniors or management to seek help and guidance.
How did the Covid pandemic affect your working routine and what are the learnings?
The Covid pandemic drastically changed the style of working and the routine. As such, it made multi-tasking more inevitable, switching the roles of homemaker and professional leader, from one place and at the same time with the constraints of space.
Covid has given us an opportunity to work in innovative styles. Active use of webinars and virtual meets entails wider presence which presents opportunity for more ideas from more people. Covid has reinforced the fact that time is never certain and life is short. It is imperative that we share the tacit knowledge that we have acquired over a period of years with the next generation tech millennials. As a result, we have initiated a series of audio podcasts titled ‘Engineering in Action’ within our team, wherein each team member gives a podcast. One podcast is issued every week on the team work group. Each member has the freedom to express one’s ideas, feedback or insights gained in the topic of interest or area of work.
Being quarantined due to Covid made me realise the importance of every individual in my daily life. Every person matters.
It is said if you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family, generation (nation). Your views?
Very aptly said, especially in the Indian context, where the primary task of teaching the children at a young age lies with a mother. A woman not only tends to the feeding requirements of the family, but also engages them in conversations that bind the family together. Building a rapport with all family members, colleagues, friends, engaging with the teachers and other parents – a woman encompasses all these relationships which impact the society and the next generation millennials. Thus she plays a crucial role in building the nation, by not just working on projects coming up in the country but also giving a boost to the emotional build of the society.
What would be your message to those seeking career guidance?
Once you start your career, it may not interest you in the beginning or you may be confused whether it is the right choice. But once you have stepped into one, immerse yourself into its realms. Extensive reading, a desire to learn, perseverance and gratitude towards learning gurus, will keep you moving forward. Asking questions and frequent interactions with peers, seniors, vendors and clients help to maximise your learning.
What are the three words that best capture the essential you?
Persevering. Adaptive. Honest.
Reetu Khanna joined EIL, a premier Engineering design consultancy, primarily in the field of Oil and Gas in the year 1993 as a Management Trainee, and worked as Instrumentation Engineer for about 26 years in various Refinery, Petrochemical and Fertiliser Projects with clients of national importance like IOCL, GAIL, BCPL and RFCL. Reetu has designed and engineered field Instrumentation and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) for mega projects like Panipat Refinery Expansion project, Panipat Naphtha Cracker Complex and Assam Petrochemical Complex, and is presently associated with Integrated Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Rajasthan.
Participated in Hazop and SIL (Safety Integrity Level) studies conducted along with Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (ORPIC) and CBI Lummus in The Netherlands for a period of three months. Had a brief experience with Equate Petrochemicals in Kuwait. Engaged in a study of pressure relief valves failure for Bahrain Refinery. Also worked on various refinery and petrochemical units – technologies licensed by M/s UOP, M/s Novolen, M/s Lummus, M/s Technip, M/s Ineos, M/s Grace in USA and Europe. Reetu led the Instrumentation Team in carrying out engineering for the Ramagundam Fertiliser complex in Telangana. Had a short stint of two years in the Electrical Department wherein she worked in cathodic protection systems pertaining to offshore projects. A total of 28 years of enriching experience in the field of oil and gas.
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