Education makes women more aware of opportunities
Published on : Tuesday 02-03-2021
Dr Jeyalakshmi Nair, Principal, Vivekanand Education Society's Institute of Technology.
What prompted you to pursue a career in engineering?
I was born and brought up in Thiruvananthapuram, near the Thumba Rocket Launching Station, where every Wednesday we could see rockets launched by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). As a small child I was fascinated by the technology behind controlling some device remotely. When the fleet of buses of VSSC moved past our lane, I used to see the occupants of the bus as some extraordinary scientists who can send rockets to ‘Chanda Mama’s space’. This interest created a spark in me to try for an engineering stream.
Having obtained the qualification, what was the experience in getting a job?
I opted for a Control Systems course for Post-Graduation, which can enhance my scope for realising my dream for getting a job in VSSC. During my PG days I developed a liking for the teaching profession. So, when I shifted to Mumbai after my PG, I looked for teaching opportunities and fortunately landed up in my present organisation.
Is a career in engineering more demanding vis-à-vis other options?
I think, all jobs at the junior level are not demanding, but as you grow and rise in your career, all jobs will be demanding.
Often projects demand stay away from home. How is that experience?
Being an academician, stay away from home demands are less. However, late night lecture preparations are a regular feature. The satisfaction of a teacher after a successful lecture motivates a teacher to do a thorough preparation before every lecture, even if the topic is not new.
Have you ever missed a career opportunity or promotion due to gender?
Never. I never faced any such problem in my career.
Are workplaces today more sensitive to gender issues than a generation earlier?
Yes, workplaces are more sensitive now. Sometimes, misuse of the facilities also happens.
Is there a glass ceiling when it comes to leadership roles in engineering?
I do not think so.
What has been the experience with seniors at works and the management?
Favourable. Personally I have received full support from senior management.
How did the Covid pandemic affect your working routine and what are the learnings?
During the initial period of lockdown, fear and uncertainty loomed just as everybody. Soon we started online teaching and got occupied with learning online teaching tools and this was totally a big learning experience. All opportunities to learn in diverse fields also helped me to grow personally.
What would be your message to those seeking career guidance?
As students, one should have self-esteem and never look for external validation. One should compete and compare with only one’s self.
Once in a job, qualities of dedication, sincerity and integrity will take one to heights in their career.
The corona pandemic taught us that learnability and agility will be the defining characteristic of the employees in future.
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?
True. Education makes women more aware of opportunities and they get more empowered with their incredible networking and multitasking abilities. This can make a positive impact on the growth of her family and the socio-economic atmosphere in the society.
Would you like to share information about your other achievements?
I am fortunate to be part of an organisation which values my contribution so that I am able to continue my teaching along with administrative duties. I completed my Ph.D in my early career phase itself, from IIT-Bombay. During the course of my career I got the opportunity to work with BARC and get a funded Research Project from the Department of Atomic Energy with full academic and administrative responsibilities. Today it is a matter of great pride that many of my students are leading their organisations and doing very well in their life.
My role models are all mothers, who handle all the responsibilities of a family very efficiently as the CEO of their family.
What are the three words that best capture the essential you?
Simple. Honest. Trustworthy.
Dr Jeyalakshmi Nair, a post graduate in Control Systems, did her PhD from IIT-Bombay (1995) with major research topics Systems & Control Engg, Robust Control of Singularly Perturbed System. An approved Principal of Mumbai University, she has also been a Member, Adhoc Board of Studies in Electrical Engineering and also an Expert Member on panel of Staff Selection Committee for Lecturers/Assistant Professors/Professors of Engineering Colleges on behalf of Directorate of Technical Education. Having published/presented research papers in several international journals and over 30 National & International Conferences, her work and expertise in the education sector for Instrumentation engineering has been commendable.
.jpg)
