Harish Mogulluri: Community Member of The Month May

[Grace-Lanser]

We're delighted to celebrate our Member of the Month for May, Harish Mogulluri! We're so pleased to share his insights and experiences in establishing a career in Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Intelligent Automation (IA). Harish was also selected to become one of our new MVPs, and in this interview you'll be able to pick up some fantastic advice and inspiration.

So, many thanks to Harish for his community contribution and for taking the time to share his experiences with us, and join us in celebrating our Member of the Month for May 2024!

How did you become involved in automation?

I was a programmer, and my interest in exploring emerging technologies led me to move into RPA, with support from my manager and colleagues at the time. It has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my career. Over time, my perception of the field has evolved significantly.

I now see automation not just as a tool for efficiency and productivity but as a crucial driver of innovation and competitive advantage in various industries. The advancements in AI and machine learning have further expanded the possibilities within automation, making it an exciting and dynamic field to be a part of.

What advice would you give to your younger self about pursuing a career in automation?

I would start by engaging in hands-on practice alongside reading technical documentation and preparing for certifications. While opinions on certifications may vary among individuals, in general, obtaining certifications definitely provides validation and credibility that you possess the required skills.

Are there any particular skills or areas of expertise you would recommend aspiring automation professionals focus on developing-

I approach learning a skill in two different ways:

• Horizontal learning - is to explore new field and understand the capabilities.
• Vertical Learning - is to delve deeper into all the different aspects.

If you are starting a career in automation initially, it will be horizontal learning. At this phase, you need to understand the capabilities of RPA, learn the tool inside out, and explore the implementation of different RPA tools.

Once you have spent enough time and understood the capabilities, you might transition to the vertical learning phase. Here, you need to consider learning different technologies and how to integrate them into RPA.

For example, if you are from a non-CS or non-programming background, it might involve learning about databases, APIs, and eventually progressing to different technologies like Big Data, machine learning, Intelligent document processing and cybersecurity.

What makes the MVP program so exciting?

There are multiple reasons. MVP program will provide a platform for continuous learning of new features and sharing the knowledge to others, offers opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals,  and opens doors to collaboration.
I'm excited about the blogging, content creation, and collaboration opportunities that the program will provide.

If you could automate any mundane task in your personal life, what would it be and why?

I believe automating shopping for groceries and cooking would be immensely beneficial. Not only would it save a significant amount of time and energy, but it would also allow me to allocate that time to other aspects of my life, such as learning new skills or spending quality time with family. While there are alternatives and options available for these tasks, there are nuances to consider, such as taste, quality, and personal preferences.

And finally, do you have any fun or quirky names for the digital workers involved in your automation projects?

In a past project where I did automation work, we called our digital worker "Transformer." It worked like a real transformer, helping us save lots of time and adding value to our work. Plus, it opened up new possibilities for using automation in different ways.

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Thanks Harish for the conversation and sharing these recommendations for new RPA professionals with us. If you have any tips for starting out in automation, we'd love to see them in the comments.