Santosh Subrahmanya completed his graduation in B.Com and has an MCA Diploma in Business Management. He worked as a Developer in Source (n) India Pvt. Ltd in the Engineering Development team. He is currently working as a Software Developer. Santosh completed the TWB Fundamental Online Certification Program in September 2008 and is using this knowledge in documenting the various software he develops at his workplace. Read on to know more about Santosh and his aspirations.

How did a course in technical writing help you?

As a software developer, I had the opportunities occasionally where I had to do a technical documentation on products or a component that we had built. Though I had an idea of what we needed to capture technically, I had no idea of how to build a technical document adhering to all the nuances of writing a perfectly readable technical document. This prompted me to take up the course on technical writing and I chose The Writers Block after a lot of initial research on identifying a good technical writing institute. After going through this course, I now understand the process of building a good technical document and the principles involved in building one.

What is your professional role now?

I am working as a software developer in Source(n) India Pvt Ltd for the past 4 years.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?

In another 5 years I would want to improve myself in my area of expertise, namely software development and as well as in my technical writing skills which has become a very essential skill. Also, I would like to essentially build my project managerial skills.

What is the corporate culture of your company?

Ours is an organization that employs around 55 people and as such is an emerging company. Being in a small organization has its own benefits, the feeling of a family, the personal touch that every employee shares with the other. The culture of the company also fosters individual attention to improve the employee in his areas of weakness and thereby overcoming them.

Does the company promote or encourage continuing education?

Our organization does encourage its employees in honing their skills through continued education, be it in the area of their work or otherwise. It emphasizes and encourages its employees to train themselves in acquiring/improving project managerial skills as well as interpersonal skills.

What type of training programs does the company offer?

Our organization fosters an environment of continuous learning where the employees are given training on a regular basis on various aspects of their work. Technical, non-technical, project managerial, soft skills etc.

What kinds of challenges is the industry currently facing?

One of the major challenges the software industry is facing today (and I see this as being not taken seriously) is the lack of quality in an employee. We do have a lot of engineers who come in masses every year from colleges. But, we hardly come across engineers who fit the bill. I consider ourselves to be mere knowledge workers doing no more than what we have been taught and not an ounce more. We need to progress ourselves from being a mere outsourced industry to one that innovates and does things differently.

According to your definition of success, how successful have you been so far?

My definition of success is a condition in an individual, where he feels he is in control of himself, his career and is confident of his ability, who knows the direction he is treading on. Going by my own definition of success, I see the path I have chosen to tread on. But I feel there are a lot of things to be done and a lot of ground to be covered before I could confidently say that I have achieved success.

How would your friends describe you?

My close and good friends feel that I am trust worthy, honest and a silent individual. They like me for what I make them feel about themselves.