Today, we are pleased to feature Preethi Karpoor from Bengaluru, India. These blogs will showcase how different SWE members are engineering their lives during this fluid and ever-changing environment.
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Your Name & Affiliation: Preethi Karpoor from Bengaluru Affiliate
Engineering Discipline: Mechanical Engineering
How do you handle stress and maintain a work-life balance right now?
I was supposed to be graduating in a month from now and traveling across the globe for the amazing fellowships that I was selected for. So stress levels right now could not get any higher! However, self-preservation is the key right now. Every day I tell myself to be grateful for my family, the resources I have access to and ensure that I pray as much as possible. Oh yes, social media is a wonderful tool. May it be watching a show on Netflix, doing pointless Instagram challenges, or reconnecting with old friends via Facebook. Most importantly, spending time with those around and constantly encouraging and motivating my dear ones on the frontline of this crisis.
Do you have any tips for studying or working from home?
Compartmentalize and aim only for what is reasonable. Although one may have all kinds of resources available, if your productivity is not 200%, don’t beat yourself up about it. I prefer making a checklist every day before I begin and only do what I can, with my best efforts. Breaking down any given task into small fractions and target only what is possible. Try to have an organized approach, remember to seek help and give yourself a big pat on the back when you achieve something!
How do you maintain community with your fellow SWE members, section, or affiliate?
Mails and WhatsApp, mainly. I am so grateful to have built a network of some lovely women across the continents through SWE. Chiming in with Hello’s, Howdy’s and some memes as well. 🙂
Engineers will be part of the critical solution to the global crisis created by COVID19. How are you engineering in crisis today?
As a family, my parents and I have been contacting people who we can help by providing medicines, or basic groceries etc. Living in a family of 7 members, we are trying to reduce our waste generation to as little as possible, so we are rationing and shopping only as much as we need. I also have my online classes going on, so I have set up a schedule for myself which I use to balance my academics as well as my research. A lot of universities have been offering courses that can be taken to expand your knowledge base, so I have been dabbling with some of those. I am also helping some of my former teachers organize online classes for their students (reconnecting with your former teachers is always a win-win!). I have also been working on developing my Engineering Competency Model and Leadership Competency Plan using SWE’s resources. In these testing times, as much one’s technical proficiency matters, leadership is of equal importance!
Related Content:
- On Engineering in Crisis from India: Choosing Gratitude
- On Engineering in Crisis: Maintaining a Virtual Community
- On Engineering in Crisis: Finding Your Rhythm
- On Engineering in Crisis: Creating Your Environment
- On Engineering in Crisis: Strategizing and Finding Consistency
- On Engineering in Crisis: Maximize Productivity by Mixing It Up
