In June 1st week, I completed my MTech in ECE with specialization in Semiconductors, VLSI and Embedded System Design.
Nelson Mandela has said that education is the single most powerful tool for changing the world. I know that it has been the determining tool that reshaped me, reshaped my world.
Over the years, I have grown my academic portfolio to build technical depth and management breadth – and enjoyed every moment of it. Apart from the 5 degrees I have added, there are several technical certifications from solar to vacuum technology to embedded electronics to social media marketing…and more!
What has enabled this journey of life-long, continuous learning?
I attribute it to 8 key factors that I share below:
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Mindset
Like all journeys, life-long learning starts in the mind. One must have a vision of what one wants to be, and of life that will be when the vision is realized. A growth mindset can help you get to the starting post …and beyond.
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Goal Setting
I have a life fundamental table where I plan my 3 years goals in a rolling format. Learning is a part of my life-fundamental table. By writing the goal down, one knows that one will enable it. One can miss a deadline, one can deviate to one of the options that one has listed in the goals – but the goal will get realized in time.
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Environment
The environment one operates in makes a lot of difference. I did my PhD inspired by some family values & by the fact that I met a lot of PhDs in my company, Applied Materials, on my trips abroad.
I think India’s National Education Policy is also a game changer for the current generation as it permits students to start a journey, take credits for years completed, take a break, if required, but come back and complete the journey!
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Opportunities
Once one has a mind to do a thing, one will find opportunities naturally. When I wanted to do my PhD as a full-time corporate employee, I required a part-time PhD option. There are many institutes offering it now – but in 2013, there were very few options. I read about the AIMA-AMU PhD program and selected it. It was an amazing journey and AMU and its professors were fantastic. Their PhD counseling was brief but to the point – and I am glad I listened carefully and eventually earned the degree.
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Learning Style Management
It is important that one tailors the program to one’s learning style and limitations. I was invited by a distinguished academician to join his famous institute’s PhD program – but it was NOT a part time program and required that I spend a year as a full-time student. It did not suit me – and I did not opt for the glamour of a branded institute. (BTW- I am a KV school product and not from the more famous Public schools – and proud of it)!
For MTech, I discussed and planned my semester courses in year 1 so that it fitted into my available time.
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Commitment
Of course, over the years, the family has built its own model of studying for success…my memory skills help. However, there are no short-cuts to hard work. One must commit time and one must read and make notes and commit to building understanding and integrating it into one’s knowledge base.
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Application of learning
Satisfaction of applying learning is the ultimate high for a person like me. I am proud to have compiled the national occupation standards for semiconductor manufacturing at Electronics Sector Skill Council of India and the curriculum for semiconductor manufacturing for the undergraduate program for semiconductors at All India Council for Technical Education.
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Fun and Celebration
Finally, one must have the mindset to enjoy the journey and not care a damn for the nay-sayers and pull-downers (yes, there will be those)! And, as with any journey, one must celebrate when the goal is realized – before setting a new goal…maybe after a well-earned break!
I have been aided in my MTech journey by the exceptional, supportive faculty at Manav Rachana – a special thanks to Prof Umesh Dutta who opened the door for me 3 years back and to Dr Passi and team MR who enabled the 3-year program journey.
Of course, I put in the effort and went through each subject, its exams and earned my degree – my memorization skills helped but there was committed plodding & hard work.
I have expanded my knowledge of the structured programs with a lot of reading.
Most of these have been part of a plan and have found appropriate deployment in professional and personal commits.
I have always been a lifelong learner – however, I must share that the journey has been aided tremendously over the last 14 years by the Continuous learning program at Applied Materials. Tuition Assistance is an amazing value to the employees, but it is the overall culture of innovation and peer competence that makes that difference.
I conclude this post with a special heart-felt thanks to the visionary leadership at AMAT , and its Tuition Assistance Program– and a brief quote below.
