Introduction
Greetings all. My name is Alsten Lobo. I was born in Mangalore, a small coastal city in the south of India, best known for its beaches, local cuisine, historic temples, and churches. While at an early age, my parents moved to Dubai, UAE in search of career growth opportunities. It was our home for 11 years until we moved again to the neighboring Doha, Qatar. Middle East had become our home away from home.
I first arrived in the USA in the summer of 2012 to pursue my undergraduate studies. In the twelve years since, I completed my bachelor's in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, became a Product and Sales Engineer for an International HVAC manufacturer, and had the opportunity to earn my master's in between.
The decision to move away from home was a difficult one but was wholeheartedly supported by my parents. Their emphasis on education is a testament to their struggles during their school years where opportunities for growth were far and few. Their hard work enabled me to become the first member of my family to study away from home.
From a young age, I had a profound interest in the subject of mathematics. In the later years of my secondary education, I found myself applying mathematics to derive the laws of physics. I began to observe how everyday mechanical devices function and was drawn to the idea of not just understanding them, but also envisioning their design and improvements. Over the years, my interest slowly allowed me to build a good foundational background and confirmed my desire to become a Mechanical Engineer.
Mechanical Engineering Fellow
career options
Mechanical engineers can work for a wide range of industries – Aerospace, Automotive, Energy, Biomedical, construction and many more. A solid foundation in mathematics, and physics, allows mechanical engineers to easily adapt to different roles across these various industries.
Mechanical Engineering Fellow
skills
What are the main hard skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
2D CAD is an essential computer-aided design (CAD) software primarily used in the building design world for 2D drafting architectural layouts, engineering plans, and/or product designs. Most of my external work involves reading, modifying and creating reflected ceiling plan drawings.
3D CAD is a CAD software primarily used for 3D modeling of product designs. This software allows assembly modeling where users can integrate multiple parts into a single assembly. As an engineer in a manufacturing firm, this software's allows me to visualize the final outcome, before a physical prototype is built.
Project management is the discipline of planning, executing, and overseeing engineering projects to ensure they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This combines engineering principles with project management techniques, making it essential for the successful delivery of complex projects.
What are the main soft skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
This is an essential skill for engineers that is developed over the years through education and real-world experiences. In manufacturing, we often deal with unexpected challenges that can range from bad design, faulty equipment, process failures etc. All these failure modes can severely impact the on-time delivery of a product to the customer. Problem solving allows us to not only solve the issue at hand, but also to understand and analyze the root cause. Mistakes are expensive!
Projects can involve multidisciplinary teams working towards a common goal. Some of my engineering projects often require input from various fields, such as electrical engineers, designers, architects, contractors etc. Collaboration promotes clear communication, reducing misunderstandings and ensuring that everyone is aligned with project goals and expectations.
This involves guiding teams, projects, and organizations toward successful outcomes while fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Effective engineering leadership requires a combination of technical expertise, interpersonal skills, and strategic vision. In addition, providing mentorship to younger engineers helps create a culture of growth.
Alsten
’s personal path
Tell us about your personal journey in
Mechanical Engineering Fellow
:
I was excited about the opportunity to study in the US, but at the same time, I felt anxious about what I was leaving behind. I chose University at Buffalo and one of the compelling reasons was its particular focus on engineering research. To add to that, Buffalo, as a city was a growing hub for manufacturing and technology, which was an ideal environment for a new engineer. I considered myself lucky having lived in a melting pot; I did not find the cultural adjustment to be a challenge at all. However, the desert heat back home had conditioned me to extremely hot days for most of the year. It was not until I experienced Buffalo’s early winter chill which made me realize how under prepared I was.
One of the most effective ways to find a job is through networking, and that starts while in school. Career fairs at the university are an essential first step. I made it a point to attend career fairs in my junior year to help me get accustomed to the job search process. This not only helped me make connections but most importantly it allowed me to interact with people within my industry of focus. By the time I started my job search, I was well prepared in making myself stand out through my resume and interviews. Additionally, alumni networking events are also a great resource to meet new people in a relaxed and casual environment. I found my first employment opportunity after networking with a senior engineer in one such event.
What would you tell your younger you regarding building your current career?
Getting involved in hands-on projects, whether through internships or clubs, is invaluable for practical experience. I would encourage learning programming languages relevant to the field, such as MATLAB or CAD tools, as they are increasingly important. Also, networking early by attending events and connecting with peers and professionals can open many doors, while finding mentors for guidance can significantly shape your path. Embracing continuous learning is essential, as engineering evolves rapidly, and developing soft skills like communication and teamwork is just as important as technical knowledge. I would remind myself not to fear failure; setbacks are learning opportunities that build resilience.
Lastly, having the right balance between work and personal life is necessary for both professional and personal well-being. While in school, we are easily accustomed to long hours, late night sessions, missed meals and other such habits. Getting out of them when transitioning to a professional career may not always be an easy task at first. I would certainly make my younger self aware of the negative impact such a lifestyle can have in the long run. Mental health and personal well-being can directly impact professional performance. A healthy work-life balance is not just beneficial for us employees but also contributes to a more productive and positive workplace environment.
Final thoughts & tips
It’s vital to remember that setbacks are part of the journey. In my case, leaning on the support of family and friends was crucial at times. Personally, their belief in me, rooted in their own struggles, serves as a constant reminder of why I embarked on this path in the first place.
Resources to dig in more
Education access to Autodesk products
Autodesk offers students free educational access to its products and services such as AutoCAD and REVIT. In addition to the trial version of the software, their website also offers education tools to learn all the functionality. A student email ID is required for access.
The Engineering ToolBox
Is a comprehensive online resource that provides engineering calculations, unit conversions, and other tools.
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
Is a great source for journals, resources and professional events in the field of mechanical engineering. They also provide online certification training as well as courses for engineers with varying experience.
MIT OpenCourseWare
Offers free Access to a wide range of engineering courses from MIT!
