Featured Article

UT Tyler Alumnus at Amazon Credits University for Career Success

Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in the production process. Specifically, they create efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information and energy to provide services or make products.

UT Tyler alumnus Praveen Venkateswaran of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is one such engineer for the mega tech company Amazon. His present role allows him to travel to different fulfillment centers across the United States and work on projects to install and deploy next-generation material handling systems.

He credits UT Tyler for giving him a strong technical foundation for career success. He noted that a “good portion” of Amazon’s technical onboarding echoed the UT Tyler courses he took, specifically, Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Lean Management & Six Sigma Quality.

“The classes and the industrial management program overall at UT Tyler have given me a strong platform to be an effective industrial engineer,” said Venkateswaran, who graduated with a master’s degree in industrial management in fall 2015. “The well-planned curriculum and the prospect of gaining industrial experience before graduating was an exciting opportunity.”

When looking to further his education after completing an undergraduate degree, the New Delhi, India, native discovered UT Tyler online and hasn’t looked back.

“I am blessed to have a really supportive family. My mum, dad and older brother have always believed in me, even during times when I didn’t believe in myself,” Venkateswaran said. “It was a no-brainer to join UT Tyler and its industrial management program.”

Career-Focused Courses

Venkateswaran describes some courses from the University’s curriculum that resonate with him.

The Computer Integrated Manufacturing class introduced Venkateswaran to robotics, CAD/CAM programming, conveyors and related technologies. “These fundamentals made me comfortable around material handling / manufacturing equipment, floor plans and 3D modeling. The course is very interactive and offers a good blend of theoretical as well as hands-on activities.”

Six Sigma classes touches concepts around process capability, which according to Venkateswaran, is vital to determine if a manufacturing process is under control and functioning to the business requirements. “These studies are typically known Installation/Process Qualification activities and are widely used in many companies.”

The Project Management classes he took were heavily focused on the Project Management Body of Knowledge book (PMBOK) by the Project Management Institute. “It piqued my interest to use Kanban boards and Agile methodologies to effectively manage and deliver my projects. I also am a strong believer that one should always strive to learn new things and provide better business solutions to grow in his/her career. The inability to learn and adapt leads to obsolescence.”

First Interactions

UT Tyler’s Dr. Mark Miller oversees the curriculum to ensure student success. He is professor and chair of the UT Tyler Department of Technology and has served the University for the past 15 years.

As chair, Miller is responsible for the department’s Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) accreditation process to continuously improve course quality, so graduates will obtain careers related to their majors. He also revises each curriculum, so the programs stay current with the latest industry trends.

Venkateswaran introduced himself to the professor upon entering the graduate program, and Miller assisted Venkateswaran with an internship opportunity for course credit, later teaching him in the CIM course.

An Excellent Student

Miller said the alumnus is polite, courteous, intelligent and “the reason why individuals become teachers.”

“Praveen was an excellent student who made teaching a joy,” Miller said of his former student. “He would always ask thought provoking questions that made the rest of the class want to share their insights as well.

“It is always a great feeling to help students acquire the knowledge that is required for them to obtain a very nice job of their dreams. Praveen is a driven person who sets a goal and does everything he can to achieve it. He inspires everyone around him to do well and become successful,” said Miller.

Serving Others

At UT Tyler, Venkateswaran actively served as an international graduate ambassador, and later, a graduate assistant for the University’s graduate admissions office under the assistant dean of The Graduate School, Dr. Alecia Wolf, who has served UT Tyler the past 16 years.

Venkateswaran said he became a fan of the team’s dynamics and is grateful for the opportunity to work in the office during his time at the University.

“The roles allowed me to develop my soft skills in public speaking and writing,” he said. “I also got an opportunity to interact with a number of prospective graduate students. I really enjoyed working with them.”

The assistant dean said the team was initially impressed by Venkateswaran’s professionalism, confidence and demeanor. But they soon learned there was a lot more to him than that.

“His work was high quality, creative, submitted on time, and he enjoyed a healthy level of competition and camaraderie among his peers,” Wolf said.

Venkateswaran was instrumental in helping Wolf and The Graduate School learn more about the Indian educational system and how it differs from America’s.

“This insight helps us in recruiting Indian students, as well as preparing them for the culture shock they may experience here,” Wolf said. “For example, our dress code is quite relaxed when compared to theirs and our open-door access to professors and administrators is not common there.

“Knowing this helps us to reassure international students that they can dress casually and comfortably for class, they can visit professors during office hours, that speaking up in class is often not only welcomed but required, and that they can stop by and talk to their chairs, deans, directors, anyone – most doors are always open,” she said.

“A Ripple Effect”

Wolf noted that Venkateswaran’s presence at UT Tyler started a ripple effect, and the University continues to see the fruits of his labor as an alumnus, too.

“In addition to all the students he helped us recruit, Praveen encouraged several of his friends back home in his native India to come to UT Tyler,” Wolf said. “One friend in particular also joined us as a graduate assistant. That alumnus still lives and works in the Tyler area, and his wife is a current industrial management student.

“Above all else, I feel very fortunate that I met Praveen, got the chance to work with him; and am very happy that we are still in regular contact,” she said.

Wolf added Venkateswaran has also been instrumental in helping other industrial management alums find employment, noting that the fact speaks to the quality of the program and the confidence graduates have in themselves and others who make it through the program.

“His previous employer in Tyler recently contacted him to try to entice him back, but you don’t say no to Amazon!,” Wolf said. “This has led to the possibility of that company contacting the Soules College of Business about getting some interns, which is also good news and speaks highly of the program.”

So, why does Venkateswaran give back and continue to help the University and others? His answer involves a unique saying.

“There is a Sanskrit proverb that I strongly believe in and try to strive for – ‘लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवंतु’, (Loka samasta, sukhino bhavantu) which translates to ‘May everyone, in the whole world, be happy.’ Giving back and supporting each other is just good karma,” Venkateswaran said.

Venkateswaran also encourages students to explore all venues they have that align with their career goals.

“From networking with alumni and connecting with professors, to attending career fairs – Leave no stone unturned!”

Outside of work, Venkateswaran enjoys running, hiking, listening to podcasts and visiting US state parks.

#SoulesCOB