The ‘Career Networking’ series event was organised by the University of Birmingham IEEE Student Branch (PES) on 29th September 2021. Dr Dechao Kong was invited to give a presentation on the topic of ‘Career Networking From Academia to Industry’.

Dr Dechao Kong is currently a Power System Engineer and the Subject-Matter Expert in DC Systems and Power Electronics in National Grid Electricity System Operator, UK. He has been heavily involved in the UK’s academia and industry since 2008, contributing his such subject-matter expertise in technical strategy & policy development, new technology & innovation, engineering, and asset management in the areas of DC Systems and Power Electronics.

In this event, Dr Dechao Kong firstly introduced his experience from researching in the University of Birmingham to working as Engineer in Electricity System Operator, UK. He mentioned four core strengths he obtained from his experience: strategic thinking & innovation, Commerciality, stakeholder management, and leadership.

After pointing out the key gaps from the academia to industry, he introduced ‘key takeaways from academia’ for the researchers who have the inclination to start their career in industry: systematic knowledge, information-processing skill, analytical skills and tools, problem-solving skill, innovation skill, and writing skill.

In the end, Dr Dechao Kong further proposed four steps to cultivate and enhance the abilities of building the career networking: training, engagement, practice and profile.