I caught up with Jennifer Arokia Doss, Intelligent Automation Engineer at Roboyo, whose journey has taken her from studying cloud computing at university to working across AI, automation, and energy. We spoke about adapting to emerging technology, navigating uncertainty, and learning in fast-moving industries.
đź“Ť Q: You transitioned from studying cloud computing at university to working in AI and intelligent automation. What was the biggest mindset shift moving from academia into industry?
Jennifer: “At the time, cloud computing felt like a really complex space to understand, but now AI builds on top of that foundation. A lot of AI use cases rely on cloud infrastructure, so studying cloud computing gave me the base knowledge to move into AI and automation later on.
The biggest shift for me was realising how different industry communication is compared to university. Academic reports are detailed, but in industry, people value concise and practical communication. How you position yourself professionally matters a lot, and that’s where internships really helped me bridge the gap between university and industry.”
đź“Ť Q: Do you think the biggest challenge with AI today is the technology itself, or how humans choose to use it?
Jennifer: “I don’t think the challenge is the technology. It’s understanding what you actually need from it. There are so many AI tools available now, and new ones appear constantly. The smartest thing people can do is understand the purpose behind each tool and maximise value through targeted usage. AI should help speed up production and workflows, not replace your ability to think critically.”
đź“Ť Q: Working in fast-moving industries like AI and energy requires constant learning. How do you stay adaptable without feeling overwhelmed?
Jennifer: “Honestly, it is overwhelming sometimes. It doesn’t come naturally to anyone. For me, it’s about understanding the logic behind things and asking why something matters and how it can actually be applied.
I try to break concepts down into smaller parts and learn them step by step. That helps me understand the details more deeply. At the same time, I’d rather feel challenged and overwhelmed in an environment where I’m learning and valued than stay in a predictable role.”
đź“Ť Q: One message for the world
Jennifer: “Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Try to be the dumbest person in the room and always keep the willingness to learn.”
✨ Key Takeaway:
Jennifer’s journey highlights that growth in emerging industries is less about knowing everything and more about staying curious enough to keep learning. In a world moving faster than ever, adaptability and humility are becoming some of the most valuable skills of all.
