{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Real Industry Engineers","title":"The Reality of Engineering Careers (What No One Tells You) | Kgololosego Kototsi | EP.004","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3454,"description":"In this episode of the Real Industry Engineers Podcast, I sit down with Kgololosego Kototsi, a Lead Control Engineer at Yokogawa and a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).Kgololosego works at the intersection of industrial automation, control systems, and process industries — designing and implementing systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. His work also touches on how modern automation platforms are unlocking opportunities in data analytics, business intelligence, and digital transformation.But beyond the technical expertise, this conversation explores a reality many engineers only fully understand after entering industry:You are not a finished engineer when you graduate.We discuss the transition from university into real-world engineering, the importance of learning on the job, and how exposure to different systems, environments, and challenges shapes you into a more complete engineer over time.Kgololosego shares his journey from working on large-scale power systems at Eskom, through OEM environments, and into his current role — along with the lessons, uncertainties, and growth that came with it.In this episode, we discuss: Why engineering alone isn’t enough after graduation  The gap between university learning and real-world engineering  What it means to be “rough around the edges” early in your career  Learning through exposure to real systems and operational environments  Control systems and automation in process industries  The role of automation in enabling data-driven decision making  Engineering careers across utilities, OEMs, and consulting environments  Transitioning into leadership and senior engineering roles  The importance of continuous learning and adaptability This conversation highlights an important idea:Engineering gives you a foundation — but it’s your experience, exposure, and growth in industry that truly shape you into an engineer.About the GuestKgololosego...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/h3NOwfDPFJVp9ioHeUKRI3EODBsN_f4e0y3dzA3MPpg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82ZjM0/YjVmMTNiNDVhNmY3/YmQ5ZTA4M2NiM2Vh/ZWEwZC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}