The (Only) Skill I Have Learnt as a Grad Student

Fatima Shami

Grad school is different. The papers get longer and there is more focus on researching and finding something new. There might even be some hands-on experimentation involved in the fancy laboratories. At the end of the day they are level up and more detailed versions of the undergrad courses. If you’re an experienced professional like me that has seen a few things it is easy to start correlating what you’re learning to things you have seen in your professional experiences. Maybe even ponder on why or give a new perspective on a  problem you have seen for years in front of your eyes. Usually as an engineer we are asked to simplify something technical so having good communication effective communication skills is necessary in the profession. Grad school taught me something different though. It has shown me all the ways information could be presented.

So how has it impacted my personal and work life? I can write longer presentations and articulate on anything in multiple perspectives. If I am asked about cutting grass on a Saturday barbeque. I usually start from the history of grass cutting then transition into the current methods and options. From there into industry recommendations on grass cutting. Next going into the advantages and disadvantages of the processes. Then I share my two cents on it. Open the floor to my friends to see other perspectives on cutting grass. And future options and far fetch hypothetical ideas. Who thought cutting grass could be such an interesting subject?! Before grad school I would just state my opinion and move one to the next topic. Most of my friends and families try to change the subject on me now because I have written so many papers it’s hard for me to give a straight answer, I could never give a straight answer anyway but that’s a story for another blog. Maybe when grad school is over I will go back to my normal communication skills? Or maybe I would from now on forever be tainted with this bug. I didn’t expect to acquire this skill but now that I do have it it’s in my tool box.