Context

It’s been almost five and half years since I graduated as MS in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla (MO, USA) in December 2011. Today it is easier for me to talk about Agile system or working in a Scrum team. But, when I began my career as GRA (Graduate Research Assistant) in Virtual Reality and Advanced Manufacturing & Prototyping Lab in Mechanical Department, I had no idea that, the experience of being a GRA is going to change my life forever. I am grateful for the opportunity I got and also to my advisers as well my lab colleagues who gave me valuable advises, which even today I follow in my professional life. I want to take this opportunity to put forward the lessons I learnt during my time as GRA, in a hope that it will encourage a healthy dialog on the techniques as well as will give hints to aspirants.

What Is Research?

It is very common belief that research is basically browsing on internet and googling the things that we want. I will honestly confess that, before being GRA I hardly did any research as such. Most of the times I did browsing. But, it is not just my case. Unfortunately education system of India, doesn’t really encourages students to do research. It was the Virtual Reality (VR) lab and my project on CAVE (Computer Automated Virtual Environment) that lead me into the world of research. I used the basis of this research in doing the research in my thesis on Low Cost Motion Tracking System Using wii Remotes.

I learnt that research is a continuous process of proposing a conceptual theory, building mathematical and logical model around it, experimenting with the models and verifying the results. One must not stop on just one experiment. The theory must hold water in any given circumstances at any given time. Research demands not only browsing for research papers on the topic but also reading fair amount of text book literature on the subject as well as discussing with other experienced people in the field. The thing which I learnt in those times, of which I am still proud of is ‘Not being afraid of Failures’. Hence, research is continuous process of make-break of the theories, learning, failing and finding solutions to failures.

Why One Needs A Bit Strict Adviser?

Initially when I enrolled into GRA program I got to know that my adviser was very strict. Even my friends used to taunt me about it. While I was working as a GRA, I used to think I was the most unfortunate GRA in the department. But, when I think about my adviser’s attitude today, it evident that he was doing the right thing. While being a student we all have tendency to be lenient and take almost everything lightly. Of course I am not generalizing this and calling every student non serious, I am just mentioning my tendencies and tendencies I observed.

As a manager and leader of the team it is adviser’s essential duty to make sure that everything works perfect and every GRA is giving his best efforts all the time. My adviser was not only strict about timings but also about the way work is done, methods applied and resources used. I used to think it was bad at that time, but today when I see some of the best managers around me, they all are a bit strict when it comes to works and deadlines. They are leaders because of their experience and understanding of the subject (I’m speaking about good managers and leaders). On other times they are as friendly as anyone can be. A strict leader keeps house in order.

Importance Of Punctuality And Professionalism

I was a bit lazy when it came to following the deadlines and timings. In the beginning I often used to appear late in the labs. That does not mean I used to work less. But, today I realize that it is not a nice practice to go at workplace at whichever time that suits you. A professional must behave like a professional. I learnt to go to my lab at a fixed time and leave the lab at a fixed time. Which was first step towards being a professional. Punctuality not only gives a better impression but punctuality in work timings keeps a good work-life balance.

Almost everyone in my lab including my colleagues and adviser were very punctual and professional in their attitude. It took me some time to change my attitude towards such things. Eventually I learnt it, but in retrospect, I think I should have learnt it earlier. Nevertheless today I have learnt that lesson. All the lab-mates used to keep their desks neat and clean. Even in the beginning my adviser suggested me to keep my desk clean. This is something I am still trying to do, but, I will say today I am far better than those times. The simple logic behind being punctual and professional is that, they stimulate positive vibes which boost your confidence which in other words improves your performance.

What Is Smart Work?

When I started working as a GRA, there was a colleague, who was already working on the research topic and on his thesis for two years. I have a tendency to do things my way. Which is a good thing to do unless, you are choosing the right way to do it. This is something I learnt from one of my colleague.

He was punctual and professional. He never used to work overtime and never used to burn out himself. I worked with him and helped him demonstrate his work on CAVE. While working with him I observed that he is not only intelligent but also smart. There is a clear difference between being intelligent and being smart. Intelligence is something you are born with and smartness is something you learn from your or someone else’s experience. He was smart because he always opened all his options open. He tested all the options and always chose the best suited one. So he would always be on the right side of everything. He taught me that, it is good to do the things your way, but whenever someone else is doing something, try to learn from his successes and mistakes, constantly keep on improving your path and don’t wait for applying it.

Optimum Utilization And Selection Of Resources

It was a lesson which GRA taught me but, it took me some time. While working on my thesis, I researched a lot regarding visualization techniques, rendering techniques, CAD softwares and various software toolkits. Ultimately I chose correct toolkits, file formats and rendering techniques for different projects. Even though this sounds a simple thing, it is very important to know when to stop looking out for the resources. My research taught me to analyze resources on prototypes before applying those on the actual projects.

Importance Of Deliverable Items

This is something which I am still using in my day to day life and professional work. He must have even forgotten about one of the best advise I received from him. I had tendency to jump in the work and start taking responsibilities in bulk. Which usually used to land me in trouble. Because, whenever you try to accomplish too many things on your own simultaneously, you end up with having nothing in your hand i.e. deliverable as it is called in professional terms.

Once I got frustrated about my progress and discussed with him. During the chat he said

“Why do you have to take up so many things simultaneously? You will always fail as you will always stand on too many stones at any given moment. I will advise you to take up a problem, split it into smaller problems and work on them sequentially. So that, after finishing every small problem you will actually have something to show.”

If you think even in your life, isn’t it a wonderful advise? It might seem like a very normal thing to do i.e. to divide and conquer but at the times when you are surrounded by many problems, you need someone to show you the right path. Fortunately my colleague gave me this advise, which will be with me forever.

Basics Of Agile System

My adviser followed a system, which in every sense follows basics of Agile system. We used to have a meeting of all GRA’s of the lab biweekly. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss what we were working on and to share our findings and progress. We used to present our work and also watch other’s work as well. It not only gave an opportunity to know what others are working on but also getting advise and suggestions from other lab-mates.

My adviser used to conduct the meeting. In a professional environment it is very important for a manager or lead to know what is happening in the team. Adviser explained in my first meeting that, the purpose of this biweekly meeting is to showcase the work and also set the path straight while achieving the goal. Today, when I think about the Agile system, this is exactly the motivation, constantly evaluate and improve the processes and keeping everything on track. I am glad that I learnt the basics of Agile even before working for any company.

Understanding The Problem

Before being GRA I was only used to questions asked in examinations. It was the first time when I was not asked questions but, given problems to solve. It took me some time from changing the examination mindset to a problem solving mindset. Solution to a problem, needs much more than finding just answers. My experience as GRA taught me that the first step to solve a problem is to understand the problem.

I learnt this lesson the hard way. I failed to understand the needs and problems described by my adviser. I spent a lot of time on something which was not needed. Also, I failed to ask the adviser about the doubts and queries. Which not only created a bit friction in our relationship but also affected my image. From those bitter experiences, I learnt, that ‘Never be afraid of asking the questions. Always clear your doubts’ and there is nothing wrong in saying ‘I didn’t understand’.

I learnt being a GRA that, whatever you learn never goes in vain. It will always stay with you if you are aware of it and endorse it. Every project and team adds to your experience. My successes during research made me more knowledgeable and failures made me fearless. I will always be grateful that I worked as a GRA under an excellent adviser with wonderful colleagues.







