Electrifying the transportation sector requires collaborative value-based solutions across the entire automotive value chain!

Barath Venkatesan, our next pathbreaker, works as Junior Consultant & Analyst at Battery Associates (Europe), a leading battery tech and management consulting firm that works with automakers and battery manufacturers, to navigate the electrification transition in the EV and Energy Sector in a sustainable manner.

Barath talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about combining his background in nanotechnology and material sciences in the mission towards achieving net-zero and sustainability goals.

For students, having a clear vision of your desired career path is essential. Live your life by design not by default.

Barath, Your background?

I grew up in the southern part of India, Tamil Nadu—a state filled with major temples and significant archaeological sites. I studied in a matriculation school in Karur. Although it wasn’t extravagant, my school life holds some of the fondest memories of my childhood.

Since my early years, I’ve been an inquisitive individual, often dismantling toys to understand their inner workings, much to my mother’s chagrin. As I matured, my interests shifted towards science and its impact on a nation’s political and economic stability. I found inspiration in many scientists such as APJ Abdul Kalam, Sathish Dhawan, and Homi Bhabha, aspiring to be like them. Consequently, I enrolled in a bachelor’s program in Nanotechnology.

Despite financial constraints, my mother, a single parent, always supported my dreams and provided what I needed. Her courage and empathy have been my pillars of strength.

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

I pursued a bachelor’s degree in Nano Science and Technology From K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology and went on to specialize in Materials Engineering at Politecnico Di Milano, Italy

Why did you make a decision to pursue such an offbeat, unconventional and uncommon career?

Choosing a career is always a challenging endeavor. People often say that you never know what life will bring with it, but in my case, it was a distinct experience. During my 10th grade, I was awarded a scholarship to attend a one-week science program called INSPIRE, conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. In this program, I had the opportunity to attend talks by professors from esteemed institutions in India. Most of these talks revolved around nanotechnology and its potential applications in various fields. It was on that day that I decided to pursue a career in Materials Engineering.

The journey began with opposition from my family, as they were predominantly computer engineers and did not support my choice of pursuing a life science course. However, I was determined, and I requested my mom to give me the freedom to choose my education and follow my dream. To my delight, she agreed and bestowed upon me the invaluable gifts of trust and freedom.

I enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in Nanoscience and Technology. Early on in my college journey, I realized that what we learn in the classroom is never enough. I distinctly remember the pre-Jio era, where a 2GB internet cost more than 300 Rupees, a cost most students couldn’t afford. During this time, I found solace in my bachelor institution’s library, making it my daily haven to read technical as well as other nonfiction and fiction books. However, nanotechnology presented its challenges, and I sought help by attending various conferences organized by IITs across different parts of India, enriching my knowledge.

Subsequently, I had the privilege to work on my bachelor thesis at ” The Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS)”, Bangalore, where I was exposed to state-of-the-art infrastructure. This experience further fueled my interest in science. During my bachelor’s thesis, I developed various synthesis techniques to develop nanomaterials that can be used as sensors.

Realizing that technology developed in labs often doesn’t reach the masses without effective technology transfer and recognizing India’s high rank in scientific publications (3rd globally) but relatively low rank in the Global Innovation Index (40th), I embarked on a journey to understand this gap. After months of self-research and consuming numerous YouTube videos, I had a eureka moment. Quality and funding were the missing pieces of the puzzle. Determined to bridge this gap, I decided to gain insights into the workings of the system by taking a job in a tech and management consultancy. Now, I am a Junior Consultant at Battery Associates, Ireland.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Tell us about your career path

Before delving into my career path in the industry, I’d like to share my experiences in the science club and readers club. To all the students out there, I urge you to not merely read and strive for high scores in college, but also be fearless; as students, we don’t bear financial pressures, allowing us to pursue what we truly desire. It’s a gift that many students don’t appreciate properly. I have a profound love for communities, so I joined my college’s readers club and eventually became its president. Later, I was invited to lead the Institution Innovation Council (IIC). Under my leadership, our IIC achieved a five-star rating from the Government of India. I even initiated my own nanotechnology startup, which unfortunately failed due to my lack of business knowledge. However, I gained valuable lessons from this experience. So, don’t waste your time—be fearless and venture into exciting endeavors. I mean the good kind of scary stuff, ha ha!

After completing my bachelor’s, I pursued my master’s at Polimi, Milan, Italy. I got a very generous scholarship from the university, and I chose Italy for its awesome lifestyle and culture.

As nanotechnology is an advanced technology, students should select an institute that has all the necessary state-of-the-art infrastructure. Without it, it will not be easy to learn practical concepts in nano-engineering .

Besides all the studies and research, every engineer should develop business-related skills. Understanding the market is essential for designing a superior product. So, I consistently participate in business events and competitions. Competitions are a great way to assess your quality. I have won many competitions during my bachelor’s degree. Recently, both myself and my team became top 10 finalists in the University Startup Challenge organized by three Italian universities. In that competition, we proposed a business solution to utility companies.

Continuous learning is very essential for everyone; we should not stop learning after our graduation. In order to learn more about the battery industry, I took a three-month online course called “BatteryMBA,” which is one of the best courses I’ve taken. It provided me with networking opportunities and up-to-date knowledge about the battery industry.

I secured my first job at Battery Associates, a tech and management consulting company. Our company plays a significant role in supporting the emerging battery industry in various aspects.

Understanding what you want, makes it easier to navigate the job market. We should possess the necessary skills or be aware of what the job demands are and be willing to learn. Applying for jobs without the essential skills is merely a waste of time.

Therefore, the process is simple: research the job, acquire the necessary skills, and then apply for the job.

How did you get your first break?

It happened very randomly. I have a habit of attending LinkedIn online events. I attended one such event in September 2020. It was during the pandemic. I got invited to the stage to speak about the gap between industry and academia. I just started when I met my company’s founder. After the discussion, I wrote him a LinkedIn message and expressed my interest in working with him. We then had a Zoom call, and I got my first job.

So, don’t underestimate any opportunities in your life. You don’t know what will come to you, so be prepared

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1: Access to High-Quality Latest Information

 I have a strong desire to expand my knowledge, and reading is a significant part of that. However, there is a significant limitation in terms of access to high-quality, up-to-date information. Coming from a normal middle-class family, I didn’t have high-speed internet. Then came the Jio revolution, which changed my world. I gained access to free high-speed internet, which felt like hitting the jackpot. I started enrolling in online courses like NPTEL, Coursera, edX, and more. I also read numerous articles and review papers. It’s important to understand that the internet is a very powerful tool—it can be constructive or equally destructive, but the choice is yours.

Challenge 2: Finding the Right Friends and Mentors 

Building a network of the right friends and a strong support system is crucial for success in both life and your career. It’s not always about technology and knowledge; often, it’s about emotional and mental stability. Surround yourself with positive influences. I want to acknowledge my dear friend Suvitha and my mentors, Dr. Gopalakrishnan (Principal of K.S.Rangasamy College of Technology) and Dr. K. Thyagarajha (CEO of KSR Education Institutions), for their invaluable mentorship.

Challenge 3: Clarity in Your Career Path 

Having a clear vision of your desired career path is essential. Without knowing what you want to become, it’s hard to structure your day-to-day improvement goals. Create a mind map and develop both short-term and long-term goals. Design tasks and habits that align with your goals, and strive for consistency. This is the mantra for success.

Where do you work now? Tell us about your current role

I work at Battery Associates, a leading battery tech and management consulting firm in Europe . We work with automakers and battery manufacturers. I work as a strategy junior consultant, helping companies develop strategies like finding the right recycling partners, finding sustainable supplies etc. to navigate the electrification transition in the EV and Energy Sector in a sustainable manner.

What are the skills required in your role? How did you acquire them?

In order to work as a strategy consultant, you must have skills like critical thinking, understand the basics of finance and management. Economics of the businesses you work with is also crucial. Having a technical background in that field is an added advantage.

On a typical day, I will meet with the team and plan the day based on the demands of the clients. As strategy consultants, we engage in various activities like market analysis, competitor analysis, product benchmarking, and strategy building, etc.

I really like my job because we always work on different projects. It’s not a boring 9 to 5 job. It pushes me outside of my comfort zone and challenges me every time.

How does your work benefit society? 

We, as a company, assist organizations in the electrification transition, ultimately resulting in fewer carbon emissions and helping companies achieve their net-zero and sustainable goals.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

After my graduation, my principal, Dr. Gopalakrishan, gave me the opportunity to work in my institution as a mentor for my juniors. I stayed in my college and trained students from various departments. Many of the students I trained secured positions in highly reputed organizations. This way, I could give back something to my alma mater.

In my current company, we have an awesome work culture. Before joining the company, I thought I knew everything—stupid me, ha ha! After joining the company, I realized I knew nothing. However, my colleagues patiently helped and taught me to grow into a fine professional. Every day is a memorable day for me at my current company

Your advice to students based on your experience?

Live your life by design not by default.

Future Plans?

Engage in all possible ways to decarbonize industries and help them create a sustainable circular business model with a net zero carbon footprint.