What is your typical Day@Work?

Well, my day at work as a Process Expert is unpredictable, and that's the best part. It ranges from troubleshooting issues in the production shop floor, to executing projects, to negotiating with different stakeholders to resolve issues. We should be ready to adapt to any situation, and we should be on call 24x7.

What's your journey been like so far?

I graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from Singapore - but all is not so rosy... When I was 15, I thought high school was the toughest. When I was 17, I thought undergrad was a nightmare. When I was 21, I thought I wouldn't survive work life. But here I'm, at 25, having realized that each phase in life has showered its valuable lessons. It has not been easy, and experience is what makes a person better at handling anything in life.

What's your advice for students who aspire to become Process expert in the Pharmaceutical industry?

Actually, any engineering degree would be a great starting point! The main skillset required for Process is logic and analytical thinking. However, it will be advantageous to take up a course specialized in pharmaceutical technologies (you could do this concurrently while pursuing your major engineering course). Knowledge of statistics is of tremendous importance. So even if one doesn't opt for a specialized pharmaceutical course, I would recommend learning some statistical tools.

Why did you choose Pharmaceuticals industry?

To be honest, I didn't like any other field that a chemical engineer would be hired for. More importantly, I have always been fascinated with biology, and I wanted to do something related to that. I realized that I get immense satisfaction upon learning that someone out there is getting benefited (a.k.a. surviving/ living/ thriving) because we are producing life-saving medicines of the highest standards and delivering them on-time. That's why I'm pretty sure I'll stay in this industry.

How are your mobility options within the industry and outside? Within the country and outside? How transferable are the skill sets to allow an individual to pivot her/his career?

Once you are a Process Expert, you get beaten up and learn the basics of the industry, mostly in the hard way and that prepares you for any stressful work situation (or even life in general). Your pragmatism is enhanced, you start to think of the bigger picture, be it in the industry or your personal life. So the skill sets are very valuable, whichever industry you want to move to.

Finally, any words of advice to those who wish to take this up as a career after reading your interview?

If you are someone who wants a routine work or a desk job, then this is not for you. Each day is unique and challenging, and you learn something every day. It's perfect for fresh graduates, in my opinion!

Integrity, practicality, being open to changes and innovation, passion for doing the right thing for millions of patients out there, will take you a long way!