Organisations have become more sensitive and caring to gender issues
Published on : Monday 08-03-2021
Surbhi Jerath, Dy Manager – Projects,Endress+Hauser Group.
What prompted you to pursue a career in engineering?
I would say engineering is in my blood. My close family worked in PSUs, power plants and offshore rigs. Since childhood, I have been listening to their exciting stories, which eventually made me connect and built up my inclination towards engineering.
Having obtained the qualification, what was the experience in getting a job?
I started off my career as proposal engineer after my graduation, catering to flow computers and metering skid business solutions for close to 4 years. I then joined M s Endress+Hauser as a project engineer in the project execution department. While looking for the work opportunity there was always something which kept me motivated and I believe that’s what is required to keep you going ahead.
Is a career in engineering more demanding vis-à-vis other options?
Engineering is definitely a demanding profession. It entails taking care of the business requirements of timely executing the projects. You are always on toes to provide seamless service to the customers within the stipulated time by maintaining the overall customer satisfaction factor. Also, we have to keep on updating ourselves in view of new developments happening around. In my opinion, other professions like medical science and legal services are equally demanding.
Often projects demand stay away from home. How is that experience?
My family always says, I have wings. True that my work does require me to travel as it is an integral part of the job and keeps me on my feet. Visiting new client facilities, different regional offices, and factories teaches a lot, e.g., getting to know how other departments work, strategies implemented for betterment of processes. Sometimes, travel is required to speed up the process cycle of the execution. Stepping out and managing things on your own with clients comes in as a handy experience, as each customer and visit is different and is to be handled differently.
Have you ever missed a career opportunity or promotion due to gender?
I have quite a time heard of women being denied opportunities due to gender. However, I have a different take on this, in the sense that I never found my peers in workplace gender biased. And companies I have worked for in Automation, management have always been non discriminatory. Everyone gets an equal chance and opportunity while working here.
Are workplaces today more sensitive to gender issues than a generation earlier?
Indian society has been a patriarchal society since ages. However, over the years women are now educated and independent. Organisations also have become much more sensitive and caring to gender issues, especially for women employees. M/s Endress+Hauser has special programs for women and I appreciate that a lot. Mandatory introduction of policies like prevention of sexual harassment (POSH) ensures a safer working environment for women in corporate structures. Also, several other new changes done in the recent years like providing extended maternity leave, adoption leave, etc., have proven very helpful for working women. These changes have also encouraged more women to work in the corporate sector by giving them a friendly eco-system.
Is there a glass ceiling when it comes to leadership roles in engineering?
From the processes and policies perspective there is no limitation for women in leadership roles in engineering. However, due to a lower number of women employees in engineering as compared to men, we find fewer women in leadership roles. This male-female ratio can be equalised by inducting more women in engineering roles.
What has been the experience with seniors at works and the management?
It has been my privilege to work at M/s Endress+Hauser. My peers have guided, advised, extended their full support and even held me responsible when called for. Top management of various departments are approachable for any kind of concern or challenges we come across during the project cycles. With such environment and collaboration, we are able to cater to project timelines and budgets.
How did the Covid pandemic affect your working routine and what are the learnings?
The Covid pandemic has taught everyone a lot of lessons. The initial phase was tough, as all production facilities were shut for a few days, and it was a challenge to apprise customers on their project delivery schedules, readiness and dispatch plan when there was no certainty. It made us learn that we need to remain in constant touch with the customers and keep them updated regarding the project activities. Risk mitigation plans were brought into force to understand the bottlenecks and work upon it. Going that extra mile with the customers helped us regain the momentum with them on their projects.
What would be your message to those seeking career guidance?
I would suggest students pursuing their graduation courses take internships during their semester leaves in different kinds of industrial roles to develop an inclination in industry for a particular domain.
Usually after graduation it is observed that fresh graduates take the decision of joining the company based on the package that is offered by the hiring company. My message to fresh graduates is to conduct a thorough study of companies, roles and the kind of experiences they are offering and then take the decision of joining the companies. This way they will be able to work at a place which will match their field of interest and experiences. They will have better job satisfaction and will be able to deliver excellent performance in their job profile.
I also would like to advise the younger generation to be loyal to your organisation if they really have to gain from the industry, as quickly switching organisations without having in-depth knowledge would not help. It is important to spend time in an organisation in order to completely learn and understand the processes and culture, knowing different teams and colleagues as these factors are very much required to become an expert professional in the respective industry.
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?
I find this proverb very relevant to today’s need that should be inculcated in individuals. An educated woman understands the importance of education in life and takes all the efforts to educate her children which results in getting the subsequent generation educated. Women can bring about a change not only in her community but society at large. Being incredible multi-taskers and with their networking abilities they tend to be more empathetic. Women can make a positive impact on the socio-economic atmosphere in the society. I am glad that the Government of India is taking steps towards this important matter through the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign.
Would you like to share information about your other achievements?
My father has always asked me to be unstoppable during every phase of my life. He has been instrumental in nurturing our minds and developing the potential in us to bring out the best. Though I did not have any mentor in particular in the professional phase, I got to learn many protocols, etiquettes, working style and people management to be adopted and inculcated for the betterment from all my superiors who have guided me and shaped my professional being as it is today.
What are the three words that best capture the essential you?
Insightful. Methodical. Collaborative.
Surbhi Jerath is an engineering professional with graduation in Instrumentation & Controls having 11+ years of experience in the Automation Industry of which 7+ years of experience in project execution with Endress+Hauser, catering to sectors like Oil & Gas, Life Sciences, Water, Waste-Water, Pharma, Power and Energy. Her current responsibilities include Engineering, Project Management & Project Execution. In her spare time Surbhi likes to go on long walks, play table tennis and try out new adventure sports. Recently she has been trying her hand on painting flower pots and canvases.
.jpg)
