Athlete Meets Explorer: Engineer-in-the-Making: The Toolkit for Navigating from Campus to Corporate

Book Name : Athlete Meets Explorer Dr. Trishul P. Kulkarni Current Position: Dean – Training, Placement & Entrepreneurship Affiliation: Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (MIT-CSN)I am an academician, researcher, and industry-engaged Training and Placement Officer with over 20 years of combined experience across industry and academia. Currently serving as the Dean (Training, Placement & Entrepreneurship) at MIT-CSN, I have played a pivotal role in transforming our institute’s approach to career readiness and in establishing strong, sustainable industry connections. Through initiatives like the Career Path Module (CPM), a comprehensive four-year employability training program, I have impacted the careers of over 2000 engineering students, preparing them holistically for corporate roles and entrepreneurial ventures. My approach combines student-centric mentorship with data-driven placement strategies, ensuring measurable outcomes and long-term success for students. Academic Qualifications Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (2024) M.Tech in Production Engineering, College of Engineering Pune (COEP), 2007 B.E. in Production Engineering, MIT Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 2003 Research Profile My research spans Tribology, Educational Technology, and AI in Education. I focus on the intersection of engineering and pedagogy, particularly through virtual labs, blended learning models, and AI-driven adaptive assessment systems. Published with Springer, Elsevier, and CRC Press – Taylor & Francis Key areas include nano-lubricants, ICT-enabled learning, and AI-based learning evaluation Google Scholar Metrics: 78 citations | h-index: 6 | i10-index: 3 Professional Recognition & Network In 2024, I was honored with the Best TPO Award by the Maharashtra Association of Training & Placement Officers (MaTPO). I maintain a strong statewide network of Training and Placement Officers across Maharashtra and actively collaborate with them through MaTPO platforms, academic summits, and HR forums. I am regularly invited to speak at HR meets, industry panels, and student career summits, where I represent MIT-CSN as a model of placement and career-readiness excellence. Along with my role as a facilitator of placements, I see myself as a mentor, system-builder, and change maker in the space of engineering education. My journey from industry roles to academic leadership has given me deep insight into the real challenges students face and what the industry truly demands.