Should Every Engineer Be Coding? | Pravin Kumar (ABB)

Is software really the only path for engineers, or did India miss a bigger bet? In this episode of Architects of Great Talent, Pravin Kumar (Head of India Operation Center, Automation business area, ABB) joins S Pasupathi (Chief Operating Officer, Careernet Group) to explore what it truly means to build a career in core engineering and why that choice is more relevant today than ever. Students and early-career engineers, you will learn how to: Understand why core engineering fundamentals are the skills of the future Navigate the pressure to "just go into software" and think for yourself Find your footing in global GCC engineering environments from day one Recruiters, HR leaders, and talent builders, in here, you will find: ABB’s model on what great early career development programs look like Why retention and long-term career building still win in a world of job-hopping How industry-academia partnerships are closing the core engineering talent gap Pravin went against the grain at BITS Pilani, chose instrumentation when everyone else was chasing Computer Science, and went on to head one of India's largest engineering GCCs. Sometimes the road less chosen turns out to be exactly the right one. 🎧 Listen and subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping careers, hiring, and talent strategies. #CoreEngineering #EngineeringCareers #GCC #TalentStrategy #ArchitectsofGreatTalent #ABB #Careernet #WeMakeItHappen Timestamps 00:00:55 – Meet Pravin Kumar, Head of India Operation Center, Automation business area, ABB 00:03:15 – Choosing Instrumentation at BITS Pilani against everyone's advice 00:04:28 – What kept Pravin in core engineering when IT was booming 00:07:34 – India's engineering talent gap: what colleges get right and what is slipping 00:09:35 – ABB's early career development program: bridging campus to industry 00:11:30 – Inside ABB's India Innovation Center: 1600 engineers, global projects 00:12:18 – How ABB engineers outsmarted a metal plant failure 00:18:17 – AI in industrial automation: augmentation, not replacement 00:21:30 – How ABB leverages India as a global talent and innovation hub 00:24:53 – Why Foundational Industries power every app, startup, and data center 00:27:40 – Career advice for Class 12 students and parents at the crossroads 00:30:45 – Closing thoughts: humans have always evolved beyond technology About the Guest Pravin Kumar is the Head of India Operation Center, Automation business area of ABB. He is a seasoned GCC leader in the core engineering domain. With over 25 years of experience, Pravin has held leadership roles across engineering, software product development, general management, and strategic marketing for new product development. He has also managed key accounts in the South Asian energy markets and led global, cross-functional engineering teams. He plays a key role in shaping ABB’s global delivery and capability development strategy. The India Operation Center under his leadership serves multiple ABB businesses worldwide, strengthening critical skills, driving innovation, and building future-ready talent for global markets. Pravin is an Instrumentation engineering graduate from BITS Pilani, and a general management degree from IIM Kozhikode. Follow Careernet for more career conversations: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wear... Instagram:   / careernetconsulting