The Reality of Engineering Careers (What No One Tells You) | Kgololosego Kototsi | EP.004
In this episode of the Real Industry Engineers Podcast, I sit down with Kgololosego Kototsi, a Lead Control Engineer at Yokogawa and a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
Kgololosego works at the intersection of industrial automation, control systems, and process industries — designing and implementing systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. His work also touches on how modern automation platforms are unlocking opportunities in data analytics, business intelligence, and digital transformation.
But beyond the technical expertise, this conversation explores a reality many engineers only fully understand after entering industry:
You are not a finished engineer when you graduate.
We discuss the transition from university into real-world engineering, the importance of learning on the job, and how exposure to different systems, environments, and challenges shapes you into a more complete engineer over time.
Kgololosego shares his journey from working on large-scale power systems at Eskom, through OEM environments, and into his current role — along with the lessons, uncertainties, and growth that came with it.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why engineering alone isn’t enough after graduation
- The gap between university learning and real-world engineering
- What it means to be “rough around the edges” early in your career
- Learning through exposure to real systems and operational environments
- Control systems and automation in process industries
- The role of automation in enabling data-driven decision making
- Engineering careers across utilities, OEMs, and consulting environments
- Transitioning into leadership and senior engineering roles
- The importance of continuous learning and adaptability
This conversation highlights an important idea:
Engineering gives you a foundation —
but it’s your experience, exposure, and growth in industry that truly shape you into an engineer.
but it’s your experience, exposure, and growth in industry that truly shape you into an engineer.
About the Guest
Kgololosego Kototsi is a Lead Control Engineer at Yokogawa, a global leader in industrial automation, and a registered Professional Engineer with ECSA. His expertise lies in the design, implementation, and maintenance of control systems for process industries. He is passionate about building robust automation platforms that support safe operations, efficient production, and data-driven decision making.
About the Podcast
The Real Industry Engineers Podcast features conversations with engineers and technology professionals working in the real world — sharing insights, experiences, and lessons that go beyond the classroom.
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Creators and Guests
Guest
Kgololosego Kototsi
Kgololosego Kototsi is a Lead Control Engineer at Yokogawa, a global leader in industrial automation, and a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). His expertise lies in the design, implementation, and maintenance of control systems for process industries. Kgololosego believes robust automation platforms form the backbone of modern operations, enabling reliable production while opening the door to business intelligence, advanced data analytics, and secure digital transformation. His focus is on helping plants run safely, efficiently, and with data-driven insight.
