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Civil Architect to Software Architect: A Journey
By Dr. Raju Muthu, Ph.D

Summary: The purpose of writing about my career journey is to encourage career
Summary: The purpose of writing about my career journey is to encourage career
aspirants not to get disheartened when failures or expected results don’t come out
aspirants not to get disheartened when failures or expected results don’t come out
as envisioned. One should remember that behind every successful positive outcome
as envisioned. One should remember that behind every successful positive outcome
there could be many prior failures. The general saying is that “failure is a stepping stone
there could be many prior failures.The general saying is that “failure is a stepping stone
for success”. My educational and professional experience in different countries and
for success”. My educational and professional experience in different countries and
continents has taught me many lessons. This has led me to conclude that, “the steeper
continents has taught me many lessons. This has led me to conclude that,“the steeper
the failure, the greater the success in the next venture or attempt”. My advice for every
the failure, the greater the success in the next venture or attempt”.My advice for every
individual is to be prepared for facing failures and gather the skills needed to make a
individual is to be prepared for facing failures and gather the skills needed to make a
renewed attempt, such that success is imminent.
renewed attempt, such that success is imminent.
My first job interview was for a Civil Engineering lecturer’s position in an engineering
My first job interview was for a Civil Engineering lecturer’s position in an engineering
college in Mandya, Karnataka. The outcome was not in my favor and it was devastating
college in Mandya, Karnataka. The outcome wasnot in my favor and it was devastating
to know that all my achievements from my undergraduate and graduate studies were
to know that all my achievements frommy undergraduate and graduate studies were in
in vain. I was very confident that my credentials (2nd rank in Bachelor of Engineering
vain. I was very confident that my credentials (2ndrank in Bachelor of Engineering from
from University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore University and a Gold medal
University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore University and a Gold medal in
in my Master of Engineering from Indian Institute of Science) were far superior compared
my Master of Engineering from Indian Institute of Science) were far superior compared
to those of the other applicants who were being interviewed. Such is life. To overcome
to those of the other applicants who were being interviewed.Such is life.To overcome
the negativity and boost my morale, I challenged myself by pursuing higher studies in
the negativity and boost my morale, I challenged myself by pursuing higher studies in
the West. My efforts didn’t go to waste.
the West.My effortsdidn’t go to waste.
A few months later, I got an important telegram around 9:00PM one evening.Now, you
A few months later, I got an important telegramaround 9:00PM one evening. Now, you
have to understanding that in the late 1980s (when there weren’t e-mails texting, etc.)
have to understanding that in the late 1980s (when there weren’t e-mails, texting,etc.)
telegrams were usually used to communicate bad news.So while I opened the telegram,
telegrams were usually used to communicate bad news. So while I opened the telegram,
I could feel my heart racing and my hands were trembling. However, to my big relief and
I could feel my heart racing and my hands were trembling.However, to my big relief and
delight, it was my admission to the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) PhD program
delight, it wasmy admission to the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) PhD program
with full scholarship in Vancouver, Canada!
with full scholarship in Vancouver, Canada!
After accepting the offer, another telegram came a few days later, which deflated my
enthusiasm. The University regretted to inform me that they had meant to offer me
After accepting the offer, another telegram came a few days later, which deflated my
admission to their Master’s program, instead of to their PhD program. I quickly ran to my
enthusiasm. The University regretted to inform me that they had meant to offer me
professors at the Indian Institute of Science, for advice. My professors convinced me that
admission to their Master’s program, instead of to their PhD program.I quickly ran to my
a Master’s degree usually leads into a PhD after joining the program. However, I would
professors at the Indian Institute of Science, for advice.My professors convinced me that
find out that this was not the case for me. I ended up completing another Master’s degree
a Master’s degree usually leads into a PhD after joining the program. However, I would
find out that this was not the case for me. I ended up completing another Master’sdegree
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