Name: Bobby Johny Varocky
Place of Birth: Kerala, India
Date of Birth: 23 May 1987
Studied at TU/e: from August 2009 - October 2011
Master of Science in Automotive Technology
Current position: sales support specialist at The Mathworks BV in Eindhoven

Why did you choose to study at TU/e at the time?
There were several reasons. The Automotive program is a multidisciplinary one, the Brainport Region is home to many high-tech industries, and Germany -the home of Automotive- is next door. The Dutch are friendly enough, and they’re used to speaking English. On top of that, studying in the Netherlands is cheaper than in the US.

What happened after you graduated from TU/e?
I was very fortunate to get a job upon graduating. I was employed by TNO under their Talent Development Program, where I worked as a development engineer for eighteen months. After that I switched from TNO, a technology and research driven company, to MathWorks. MathWorks is a world player in computational math and simulations software technology. I’m glad I was able to change from a technical area to sales, because my new position suits me. Where I’ll go from here? Only time will tell. But I know I’m headed in the right direction.

How did you find a job?
It wasn’t too difficult finding a job, but I do know friends who’ve struggled. One thing that helped me is my extensive network. I attended many a social gathering where I met lots of people, and through these people I knew what was going on in the job market. It has definitely helped me to make the right move at the right time.

Do you have any advice for others looking for a job?
I recommend expanding your network to the best of your abilities. Today, maintaining a current LinkedIn profile is quite important. Many employers check social networking profiles for additional information about potential employee. If you’re patient, and if you can make do for some time, opportunities will come along. I guess anyone will have a number of jobs before they have a fair idea of what they’re looking for in a career. An academic education gives you the power to move ahead, but the direction is up to you. Don’t be afraid to take an exit, make a U-turn, stop and think, or just drive straight ahead. Just go for it - you'll learn.