18-Jun-09 11:00 AM CST

Member Profile - Kashminder Chahil

Where did you grow up in Australia?
I grew up in Perth, Western Australia - a very beautiful place.

What brought you to the US? How long have you been here? How long do you plan to stay?
I was presented with a job offer that I could not refuse. I have been here since September 2000 (that would be nine years in September). I plan to stay here as long as I am able to gain experience.

What is your current position and your role?
I am the VP of Technology and Security for a company called IMRIC Inc.

What made you decide on this type of work?
I have always loved technology, and I did extremely well at mathematics and physics in school. Things I did for fun have now become my bread and butter!

What is the best part of your job? Can you describe some of your most memorable moments/stories?
Being able to play with new advanced technologies and meeting people from many facets of technology and culture, in addition to advancing my knowledge which I can convey to others. One of my most memorable moments was when we were first designing to allocate the use of wireless broadband for a city wide project. This was going to be the first city to have wireless broadband in the world. After a year of hard work, we managed to deploy the first wireless city and we now have multiple locations around the world. It will become a criterion in a few years just like electricity is to everyone at present in the US.

What are the challenges and advantages you face in your industry in the US?
The US is large place for experience and technology. Anyone is able to garner the benefits if one is to apply one's self. The challenge is to be in the precise niche of technology. At present, security technology is one of the biggest technologies in the world.

How has the overseas experience shaped you?
It has given me a broader view of life style, technology, culture and people. It has also taught me a varied governing system with the Fortune 100 companies in the world. The US is one of the few countries that coin many of the requirements that will contour the new expertises, which will promulgate around the world.

Is there anything you miss about Australia?
My family and surfing, also the great fish and chips in Fremantle, Perth.

What suggestions do you have for other Australians wanting to follow a similar path?
If you are young and have the ambition to succeed in life, it would be best to travel the world. Being able to work in different geographical locales will open one's mind to new culture and adventure plus invaluable knowledge. As the famous phrase goes - scientia potentia est – literally translated from Latin, “Knowledge itself is Power”

Do you plan to return to Australia?
Yes, when I have made the required returns and am ready to retire in Australia.