Hi, I’m Ka Sen. I would describe myself as a tech enthusiast, I really love reading about how technology is impacting people and organisations. I always wanted to be part of this. No matter how many years on from now, I think I will be doing something related to technology. But before that, here’s some background.
My Story
2016
19-years-old me just entered freshmen year at the University of Sheffield. I took the MEng Mechanical Engineering course because of my interest in exoskeletons. I wanted to be Iron Man. I wasn’t really focused at University, I couldn’t really find what I like during that time. My interest in exoskeletons slowly faded though I even joined the Sheffield Bionics society and even undertook a summer research project about artificial knee patella. Throughout the mechanical engineering course, I had many design projects but I didn’t particularly like them and I realised this is more or less something I will be constantly doing if I ever manufacture an exoskeleton. It was weird since then, my interests went all over the place as I got myself into FinTech, smart home systems, cloud technology, cybersecurity, carbon capture and even renewables.
2020
It’s my final year of University and no doubt we all have a long thesis to complete! With my interests in technology, I decided to pick up a final year project related to machine learning that leveraged my strengths in programming with MATLAB. I also picked up Python programming as one of the skills in the Preparation for practice module that I had. Through this, I was exposed to data science, IoT and Industry 4.0. My final year project in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) revealed the digital transformation that is happening in the engineering industry. The best of my two worlds, engineering and technology combined.
Finally, around May this year, I handed in my last assignment of my Master’s degree and I was unofficially unemployed.
2021
I started my career in Penang working as a Software Engineer. I chose this job because it was part engineering, part software. Because I get to work with hardware and software at the same time, I really enjoyed doing my job. Interestingly, I work with LabVIEW, a graphical programming language and fell in love with it. I used it to program PLCs, precise instruments, microcontrollers, and created intuitive front-end interfaces for operators to interact with these semi-conductor machines. Humbly, I worked with a low monthly salary, and in a factory, but it was still something I really like. I also found a very special person in Penang that took care of me while I was there by myself. I won’t forget the kindness and care I’ve gotten from this special person that I really appreciate.
2024
You can say in a short 3 years, I’ve gone to the other side of the world… I joined and got my first promotion at one of the largest Tech companies during this time, Amazon Web Services (AWS). I still can’t believe the fact that I am where I am now… It’s definitely a blessing. I worked my head off for this job, but it was worth it. 8 certs. 5 concurrent projects. 3 hats, being the consultant, the project manager, and the account manager at the same time. My career really skyrocketed, but at what cost?