Eeshwar "Hulk" Rajagopalan
What do you do for a living and why? I work as an engineering consultant, delivering real-time monitoring and operator training systems, as well as validating the operation of safety control systems, to ensure that operators at major hazard facilities have the necessary visibility over their assets' performance, confidence in the control systems and training necessary to return home safely at the end of each day.
What cause are you most passionate about? How we do what we do. While others may be drawn to a particular social cause, I am most deeply drawn to the aspects of how we deliver the impact we have identified alongside the communities we work with. All aspects of "doing" that are part of creating positive change in the community, from the philosophy embodied by the team, the planning, through execution and completion of the project, or program, are what I am most passionate about.
What habit or improvement are you working on? Discipline, as I'll need it to get my black belt in Karate.
What's the most interesting thing that has happened to you recently? An opportunity has arisen for me to do some work in the board-game industry, and as a hobbyist designer, it's great to be able to be involved.
What's something you're really into right now? Making the best cup of filter coffee for my palate using filter methods, such as Aeropress, V60, drip and others. It's about finding a balance between a number of factors (grind size and dosage, water quality and temperature, brew time and technique).
Tell us your Rotary origin story, how did you join and why? I was engaged in a number of the Youth programs organised by Rotary when I was younger, including attending the John Curtin Leadership Academy, at Curtin University, when it too was sponsored by Rotary. The sponsoring club invited me to join a Rotaract club, aimed at young people, aged 18 and over, they were starting and I agreed. I had just learned a whole host of new skills and wanted to develop them further, while also supporting my community. From there, I continued to put my hand up for the opportunities that came along, to further develop my skills and increase the impact I could have in the community. One such opportunity was to join Rotary of Elizabeth Quay, which I did enthusiastically and haven't looked back since!
What is your preferred form of communication style? The written word, as the process of imprinting one's thoughts on something less ephemeral than than the spoken word helps to bring structure to thought at a pace that is less demanding.
What is your idea of fun? An afternoon with friends, food and a handful of a board-games.
If you were to meet your 15 year old self what advice would you give them? Those squiggly line drawings people put up when they talk about what your career will look like is more true than you think. At the beginning of your career, core technical skills are still critical for you to get into your industry and do well. Beyond that, and for your life in general, the ability to adapt and resilience enough to weave those unexpected shifts in direction into your own narrative will take you further than you think.
Take on opportunities that you find interesting; succeed, fail and learn. These will help you develop the ability to adapt. Resilience comes not only internally, by developing and maintaining practices that keep your mind and body healthy, but also externally, from a network of people you care for and who care for you.
How do you relax? A good book, or the right music to fit my mood, and a quiet space to enjoy them in.
RESOURCE from Eeshwar