the promise of a well-paying career seemed good enough reasons at the time .
What have been the biggest obstacles in your life and how did you overcome them ?
I think the biggest obstacles in my life have been occasional negative thoughts about myself , my abilities and my life so far . I think we all have these doubts sometimes , but the support of people around me has always helped give me another perspective . People see us differently from how we see ourselves , and it is worthwhile getting their view occasionally .
What have been the biggest opportunities in your life and what did they allow you to do ?
I consider my biggest opportunity my tenure as CEO of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering . During this time , I was exposed to many aspects of business that are not an engineer ’ s usual function . I was also exposed to the much broader profession , from tertiary institutions to the Engineering Council of South Africa and to other professional bodies . My financial skills were also honed during this time . I have also enjoyed my tenure as a Trustee of PPS Holdings Trust . This environment is beyond anything experienced in my profession , and the exposure to corporate governance has been invaluable . I have also been fortunate to spend this time in the company of exceptional people who consistently demonstrate what it means to behave professionally .
What is your life philosophy ?
We experience life on this planet only because we have a human body , so it is essential to take care of the body to get the most out of the experience . Do unto others as you would have them do unto you . Find a good balance between making money and spending time with loved ones — when in doubt , choose your loved ones . Be amazed at creation — even your own body . Honour your commitments and keep your promises .
What about your work makes you want to get up in the morning ?
Every day brings new challenges and problems and it is a great privilege to apply my mind to these . There are also new opportunities to share my knowledge and experience with others and to help them grow .
What do you not like about your job / career you are in ? What are the biggest challenges ? What are the compromises ?
The biggest challenge in engineering is to bridge the gap between your studies and the reality of the working environment . The engineering working environment is very diverse and there is no way that you can be prepared for it during your studies . It is also challenging to understand the different careers available in engineering . One of the compromises in my career has been time spent at work away from my family . As a plant engineer , I was expected to be available to assist with complex problems , which sometimes meant being away from home .
Are there any expectations you had about this career path that you have found differed from reality , in both a good or bad way ?
I did not have proper expectations up to the time I started work . I had some idea that I might be designing machines , but I never expected that machines ’ maintenance and efficient operation would form part of my career . I remember being intimidated by my profession in the early days , and even with my qualification , I felt particularly useless . I half-expected to be a big shot from the start and did not expect to know so little about the work environment when I first entered it . I realised that many colleagues felt the same way early on , and it was only a matter of time before I found my feet and started settling in .
What is the best advice you were ever given and who gave it ?
I have received a lot of good advice over the years but I cannot recall where each came from . The advice that has generally served me best is to keep my mouth closed until I have something worthwhile to say . This also means listening to others and understanding their position before expressing my thoughts .
What is the best bit of advice you have for someone looking to move into this area ?
Try understanding what an engineering career is all about before deciding on it . This can be a challenge , but with the internet and social media , there is much more opportunity to learn about this profession . You must understand that studies do not really prepare you for the working environment and you must be prepared to ask many questions at the beginning . Listen carefully to the answers you get , and make sure you understand before accepting anything as the truth . Listen a lot before you speak , and then speak from a position of understanding . Be careful of people who offer solutions to problems without much thought . Engineering is a profession that is based on a lot of thinking and consideration – there are no prizes for the fastest solution .
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