From K. K. Wagh to Japan: An Electrical Engineering Student’s Career Journey

Every student’s career journey begins differently. Some have a clear goal from the beginning, while others discover their direction gradually through education, experiences and opportunities. The journey of Mr. Yash Radke, Final Year Student (2026 Batch), Department of Electrical Engineering, K. K. Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, Nashik, is a story of the latter.

From being uncertain about his career path after Class 12 to pursuing Electrical Engineering, gaining industrial exposure, learning Japanese and eventually securing an opportunity to begin his career as a Circuit Design Engineer at Hioki in Japan, Yash’s journey reflects the importance of curiosity, continuous learning and the willingness to explore new possibilities.

Discovering the Possibilities of Electrical Engineering

When Yash entered engineering, Electrical Engineering was not a field he had specifically planned to pursue. However, as he progressed through the semesters and gained a deeper understanding of the discipline, his perspective began to change.

He discovered that Electrical Engineering extends far beyond traditional concepts. The field offers opportunities across diverse areas such as robotics, electronics, control systems, automation, power electronics, IoT, embedded systems and renewable energy.

With every new subject and practical experience, his interest in engineering grew stronger. The guidance and encouragement of faculty members, including Dr. R.K.Munje and Prof.Ganesh Jadhav, also played an important role in motivating him to take his studies and career aspirations more seriously.

Learning Beyond the Classroom Through Industrial Exposure

A significant part of Yash’s Engineering journey was the opportunity to gain industrial exposure through internships.

One of his internships was at Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS). The experience allowed him to see large-scale electrical equipment and industrial operations first-hand.

For a student who had previously encountered such concepts primarily through textbooks, diagrams and laboratory sessions, seeing the equipment operating in an actual power plant offered a completely different perspective.

One of the experiences that particularly stood out was seeing a large alternator, almost comparable in size to a two-storey building. Such experiences helped bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world engineering applications.

His internships, along with academic projects, also gave him opportunities to explore technologies such as ESP32, sensors, IoT, control systems and automation.

These experiences reinforced an important lesson: engineering is not limited to classroom learning. Understanding how technology works in real-world environments is equally important in developing an engineering mindset.

Looking Beyond Campus Placement Opportunities

K. K. Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research has a strong placement environment, with students receiving opportunities to interact with companies across different industries. Companies such as ABB and Johnson Controls have also been among the organisations visiting the campus.

While campus placements offered a clear pathway into the professional world, Yash began thinking beyond the conventional approach of waiting for companies to visit the campus.

He started exploring the wider global job market and researching opportunities available to engineers outside India.

This curiosity opened a new direction in his career journey.

Discovering Japan as a Career Destination

While researching international opportunities, Yash explored countries including Japan and Taiwan. Japan particularly attracted his attention because of its strong technological ecosystem and the opportunities available for engineers.

His interest in Japan gradually moved beyond its popular culture. As he researched the country's engineering industry, he discovered the extensive work being carried out by Japanese companies in areas closely related to Electrical Engineering, including power electronics, robotics, automation, IoT and electronics.

The possibility of working with specialised technologies and engineering-driven organisations motivated him to explore Japan more seriously as a potential career destination.

Learning Japanese Alongside Engineering

To prepare himself for this new career path, Yash began learning Japanese during his third year of engineering.

What began as an exploration eventually became a serious commitment. He worked on vocabulary, grammar, sentence structures, listening and speaking skills and later progressed towards business Japanese.

His goal was not simply to learn the language but to develop the ability to communicate effectively in a professional working environment.

While continuing his engineering studies, projects and internships, he simultaneously worked towards improving his Japanese language skills.

After approximately one and a half years of learning Japanese, he began getting opportunities to interact with Japanese companies.

The Opportunity That Led to Hioki

During his search for international opportunities, came across Fast Offer, a Japanese programme that connects students with Japanese companies for internship and career opportunities.

The programme was associated with Hirameki Institute in Pune, where he joined Japanese language classes and progressed through the selection process.

As his Japanese language skills improved, so did his preparation for international recruitment. He worked on technical concepts, Japanese communication, self-introduction and questions related to his motivation for working in Japan.

His efforts eventually led him to an opportunity with Hioki, a Japanese company specialising in electrical measurement and related technologies.

The organisation was particularly relevant to his academic background because its work was directly connected to Electrical Engineering. Yash was also familiar with Hioki instruments from his college laboratory experience.

He researched the organisation, its products, technologies and history and prepared extensively for the recruitment process.

His preparation and persistence eventually resulted in his selection as a Circuit Design Engineer at Hioki, Japan.

From an Uncertain Beginning to an International Career

Looking back, his journey demonstrates how a career path does not always have to be completely planned from the beginning.

His journey started with uncertainty about what he wanted to pursue after Class 12. He then chose engineering and entered Electrical Engineering without having extensive knowledge about the field.

Through academics, faculty guidance, internships, projects and practical exposure, he gradually developed an interest in engineering.

His curiosity then encouraged him to explore international opportunities. Learning about Japan led him to learn Japanese, which eventually opened the door to international recruitment and a career opportunity with Hioki.

Each step led naturally to the next.

A Journey of Continuous Learning

His achievement is not simply about securing an international placement. It reflects the value of continuously exploring opportunities and developing new skills.

His experience demonstrates how engineering students can expand their career possibilities by combining their technical education with practical exposure, communication skills, language learning and a willingness to explore opportunities beyond conventional career paths.

As he prepares to begin his professional journey in Japan, Yash is also aware that there is much more to learn. Improving his Japanese communication skills, strengthening his technical expertise as a circuit design engineer and adapting to a new country and working culture will be the next stages of his journey.

But unlike when he was in Class 11 or 12, he now has a much clearer sense of where he wants to go.

A Proud Moment for K. K. Wagh

The journey of Mr. Yash Radke is a reflection of the opportunities that can emerge when students remain curious, committed and willing to explore beyond their comfort zones.

From Electrical Engineering at K. K. Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, Nashik, to an international engineering career in Japan, his story is an inspiring example of how academic learning, faculty mentorship, industrial exposure and individual initiative can come together to shape a successful career.

The institute congratulates Yash on this significant achievement and wishes him continued success as he begins his professional journey with Hioki in Japan.

We are proud to see our students explore new horizons, embrace challenges and carry their engineering journey from K. K. Wagh to the global stage.

Special Acknowledgement:

Expresses his gratitude to K. K. Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, Director Dr. Keshav Nandurkar, T&P Officer Dr. Pramod Shahabadkar, Head of Department Dr. Ravindra Munje and all the staff members of the Department of Electrical Engineering for their guidance and support throughout his journey.