How I became an Engineer

It was never my ambition to be an Instrument Engineer. I learnt Physic subject during school days and found it very interesting. Then pursued my study for a Diploma in Electrical Engineering at National Institute of Technology (now Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. After a short stint in Civil Service with Telecommunication Department Malaysia, I pursued my undergraduate study at Portsmouth Polytechnic (now University of Portsmouth) in the UK.

Upon graduation in summer 1983, I joined a semiconductor company in Malaysia as Process Engineer which developed my interest in control system of the semiconductor automatic production facilities which at that time has started using robotic arms. Wow it was a good start to my dream to become an expert in control system. Then I met my colleague who worked in the oil and gas industry. I did not have any clue that working in oil and gas industry as an Engineer was more interesting and challenging as told by my colleague.

Opportunity came to me as during that time Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) were recruiting local engineers. Wasting no time I applied for the job with PETRONAS and luck was with me and I was offered the job as Process Engineer in Production Department. The funny part of me prior to joining PETRONAS, I thought crude oil production was so simple that it is done by drilling into the ground and put a long pipe and a tap on it. Then, turn on the tap and the crude oil flowing into a tanker… ha ha ha. how naive I am, right?

….will continue in next posting….