Being a lecturer doesn’t mean one is confined to academia forever. Snehal Pataskar made the transition from teaching to the practical world of industry look effortless. Moving from theory to hands-on application required immense learning, adaptability, and will power, and Snehal’s journey proves so.
Snehal started her career as a lecturer in a government collage of Engineering and had pursued a master’s degree in Design Engineering. Currently she is a junior design Engineering Raptech Engineering Private Limited.
The shift from a lecturer to a full-time corporate employee needs patience and will power. It was Snehal’s dream since 12th to pursue her career in core engineering like any manufacturing company or design company. However, somehow, she ended up teaching. In order to make her future bright, to get better opportunities, she finally switched to her desired career. Snehal realises the difference between lecturing mechanical engineering courses to the students and working in the manufacturing field, the drastic change from theory to practical and this practical field, even small mistakes were not given excuse. In the manufacturing industry learning the techniques of dealing with customers and meeting their expectations need 100% hard work and dedication. 100% accuracy, zero defects and customer satisfaction became the top priorities. Snehal says, “in this manufacturing industry we are committed to the customers, so customer satisfaction is more important in this field.” It was a bit challenging task for her, she admits, but it’s also enthusiastic to her as this was her dream. Accepting the shift and adapting to practical realities made the journey even more rewarding.
After getting selected in the company, her happiness had no limit. Her ambition to be a part of the manufacturing sector was getting fulfilled so she gave 100% and ensures will give the same in the future, “I will give more in the future, in every course”. This sentence of Her’s alone shows her deep-down passion for manufacturing. Snehal shares that when she got selected, she used to take various classes to understand the concepts, she cleared all the queries regarding the concepts and says she is still learning them.
Do Not Rethink While Pursuing Your Passion
When Snehal decided to work in a corporate sector, leaving the teaching profession, there were many who advised her to rethink the decision twice. She says “In the teaching field I was working for 10-6 or 10-5 but after coming to corporate it is now 9 to 10 hours per day. However this will help me in learning more and I can achieve more than that”. It’s a learning phase for her.
She agrees that her seniors and mentors provided immense support and helped her to understand the real time challenges over theoretical knowledge. She explains when she first joined the company, one of her key learnings came from the shop floor visit where she observed the entire manufacturing process. She says sharing her experience, “initially everything seemed structured, but once I started working on 2D drafting and fixture design, I realised the depth of detailing involved”. According to her the making of any product in the manufacturing field is complex even though it will look simple and hence she appreciates every effort behind every product. There are manufacturing steps which one has to follow, from raw material to finished product.
Right Surrounding Lead To Great Achievements
Snehal acknowledges the change in her schedule after her transition of carrier and it was difficult to adapt in the beginning but eventually, she managed. She says “ for working women, especially mothers, balancing professional and personal responsibilities can be tough and support from family plays an important role to manage both the things”. Having the right mindset and a supportive environment makes a big difference.
Throughout her career, Snehal has taken many responsibilities, be it lecturer, head of the department or in manufacturing, she has always given her 100% in every role. Completing her master’s degree externally while managing professional duties was a significant achievement for her. “I ranked first in my department during my MEd and scored 94% in my master’s. balancing my academic, professional and personal life was challenging”, she says, but her dedication and hard work made it succeed.
Life comes with ups and downs, emotional breakdowns are there, especially when there is a family and work to manage, Snehal admits. But there was support from her family which helped her to stay strong, she shares “whenever I felt low, I reminded myself that my parents had faith in me, and I want to make them proud. I wanted to make sure that my daughter had everything and my strong belief in God encouraged me to move forward.
She says “I respect and acknowledge every female’s efforts out there because I can understand and relate to it. A woman can understand another woman much better.”
IT or Manufacturing: Choose What your Passion Is
Regarding career choices, many engineering students, especially from core fields like mechanical or electrical engineering, shift to IT, considering it a more secure or high-paying job. However, manufacturing and automation are growing industries with immense opportunities. “My message to students is simple, no matter which field you choose, technical or non-technical, give it your 100%. Your mindset and dedication determine your success”, she advises. After completing the education, perspective evolves and one should not let external factors decide the career decisions. “Always stay true to your dreams”
She explains, “I, too, faced uncertainty early in my career. After graduating, I had many ideas and aspirations, but market conditions were different. Over the years, I gained valuable experience, learned from challenges, and eventually found the right path. Today, I have achieved my goals, and I encourage others to believe in their journey, stay committed, and never give up”.
She says how her colleagues and staff have always been supportive, making her journey smooth and enjoyable. “One of my most memorable experiences was participating in a dance performance on Independence Day, something I had never done before. It was a moment of great satisfaction, showing that stepping out of our comfort zone can lead to wonderful experiences”, she says.
While the presence of women in manufacturing and mechanical engineering is still limited, the field offers immense opportunities. Many young women hesitate to enter this domain, but mechanical engineering is a powerful and fascinating field. Machinery plays a crucial role in every industry, making it a branch with a promising future. She encourages more girls to pursue careers in manufacturing, as it is not just about hard work but also about learning, innovation, and growth.
