Welcome to “3 Questions with …”, a recurring feature on the Career Center blog. We’re asking alumni of all graduation years and career interests to share a bit of their experiences and advice.
Jael Jose E’10, MS EngMgmt ’15, Engineering Project Manager, Enertiv
In just a few sentences, please tell us about your current job.
In my current position at Enertiv Inc., I lead the Operations team, which consists of deploying hardware (metering, data gathering, sensors) equipment at new and existing client sites, in order to collect the data necessary to fulfill our software solutions. Enertiv is an operational intelligence platform. We combine robust workflow automation with real-time monitoring and data-driven insights to increase net operating income (NOI) and improve transparency in commercial real estate operations. My team’s role is to ensure that the real-time data monitoring aspect of our solutions is successfully implemented and that the quality and integrity of the collected data is preserved throughout the life of the contract. I work with a team of engineers, assembly specialists, and contractors, which play diverse roles along the deployment cycle. I’m also responsible for the supply chain and inventory management for the hardware. Being that we’re a relatively small startup, I end up wearing many other hats, as we’re looking to grow and service our rapidly growing client base. I’m especially proud of the leadership role that I play in forging the company culture, considering that I’m one of the most senior managers.
- How did your time at Tufts influence your career journey?
My time at Tufts was absolutely instrumental in my career journey to date, and will continue to be. I had the opportunity to work with some of the most brilliant minds I’ve encountered to date in my EE classmates, who not only helped expand mine, but taught me to always push myself to find a better solution in resolving both engineering and life challenges. Both my EE undergrad and Gordon Institute Engineering Management stints solidified a team spirit in the way I conduct business and have helped me develop a sense of togetherness in all the teams that I’ve led to date. Moreover, my Engineering Management education has been the catalyst in my business and management track over the last 8 years and has given me the personal and systematic tools for my continuous growth and journey.
- What advice would you offer to a student who wants to pursue a career path like yours?
The biggest advice I would give to anyone pursuing my career path is, no matter what role you will play at a technical or engineering firm, you will always work with people, and people will always be the greatest asset of that organization. Therefore, it will be important to consider each person as their own individual and get to know each of them, whether it’s a colleague or a direct report so that you can foster the trust and collaboration needed to reach success. We are each individuals and respond to some approaches differently. Investing the time to get to know your colleagues will yield a more productive relationship and your ultimate career achievements.Another key piece of advice would be to utilize the diversity of knowledge and experiences gained over the years to your advantage. I’ve come to realize that my effectiveness has not been solely attributed to the specific subject matter proficiency earned, but mainly to the diverse skill sets I’ve acquired over the years. Whether it was managing adversity working with customers in retail, or going onsite to teach electricians how to operate new equipment in my early engineering career, all that experience gathered over time has helped develop the “tools” I use today to lead effectively. It’s especially valuable when it comes to interacting with different audiences.I also believe it’s very important to find a good mentor, whether they agree to take on that role or not, to help guide you along the way.
