A New Hire's Journey at JJ-Lurgi India

Starting a new job can be a daunting experience. There's the nervous excitement, the whirlwind of new information, and the pressure to quickly find your footing. But what if you're not just a new hire, but one of the first five team members in a newly established office? That's the unique journey of Purvi Ladha, a new Proposal Engineer for the JJ-Lurgi office that opened in India last year. A diligent young graduate with a Master of Chemical Engineering, Purvi's two years of experience in the aluminum and copper industries laid the perfect foundation for her new role. We recently connected with her to learn about her first few months and her incredible growth journey.

Finding Her Footing

From the start, Purvi felt a mix of nervous excitement. She recalls, " The first day, like any new beginning, was nervous, but it was also filled with so much positivity. " That initial nervousness quickly gave way to a sense of belonging, thanks to her new team. Their commitment to camaraderie was evident in a daily lunch ritual, a simple act that made all the difference. " Even if someone had a meeting or was about to start one, we’d either wait or have lunch early, just so we could share stories and laughs, " she recounts.

This supportive environment allowed her to thrive in her new role, a dynamic blend of technical knowledge and commercial insight. Her background in process optimization laid a strong foundation for a position she finds deeply meaningful. " Every day is a new challenge. I get to solve real-world problems by understanding the client's requirements and working with various vendors to propose a solution that fits perfectly, " she says. Beyond the office, her on-site visits to client facilities and support from her colleagues in Malaysia further enriched her experience, teaching her the importance of active listening and adaptability.

Bridging the Gap

Just a few weeks ago, a major highlight of her journey came to life: a two-week onboarding program in Malaysia. The trip was a chance for Purvi and other new hires to meet their Malaysian colleagues, who she had previously only known through online meetings. This experience transformed her digital collaborations into tangible relationships. One of the most impactful moments was a visit to a refinery plant in Kuantan, which she says, " It was an incredible opportunity to witness firsthand what I had been reading about and discussing with colleagues, " she shares. " Seeing the scale of the designs in person... really brought the process to life, " she adds. This experience provided a vivid, real-world context for the theoretical knowledge she'd been acquiring.

The chance to finally meet and bond with her international teams in person was the biggest highlight. " It's amazing how quickly connections can form when you start sharing stories, challenges, and laughs, " she says. " It made me feel even more connected to the bigger picture and proud to be part of such a diverse, global team. "

Beyond the professional, the trip was a personal journey. The JJ Values workshop resonated with her deeply, as it was less about memorizing corporate tenets and more about seeing how values evolve with professional and personal growth. " What stood out to me was how values stay at the core but also grow and evolve as we do—both professionally and personally. It felt like a reminder that we’re all a work in progress, and that’s okay, " she says. As she reflected on the trip, she found it a clear example of how much she’s grown.

The Future is Growth

For Purvi, growth is a constant journey of continuous learning and adaptation. From her foundational experience to her current role, her journey exemplifies the exciting opportunities that come with building something from the ground up. " It’s not just about gaining new skills, but also about refining what I already know, embracing challenges, and finding new ways to contribute, " she reflects. She is excited to take on new responsibilities and play a part in JJ-Lurgi India's ongoing success, knowing that the opportunities are limitless.