Breaking the silos in graduates training program- "MY VIEWS"

While studying back at Unitech, I was looking forward to my third-year industrial training. This is a pre-requisite for graduation. You have to do at least 10- 12 weeks of training, compile a report, and upon assessment, a decision is made either for you to graduate or not. I did enjoy this intensive period of learning as a novice undergraduate mechanical engineer.

However, looking back from where I am now, there were lots of opportunities I had seen which if considered would have accelerated my learning and engagement with the industrial world.

Breaking the silos in graduates training program could apply to undergraduate training as well. There is a clear distinction between an academic and industrial environment. The mindset and approach of learning in both environments are not necessarily the same. The common denominator is the term "learner". Learning never stops. It's an infinite loop without termination.

Let me provide couple of points to helps us break the silos when it comes to gaining a well-rounded industrial training experience:

#1: GIVING EARLY INDUSTRIAL EXPOSURE TO STUDENTS

What you want is efficiency of learning while maintaining quality output. Time is of essence. If I were to think independently, I would explore the option of creating pathway for second- and third-year undergraduates to undergo early industrial exposure with the established industries- Petrochemical, Mining, Oil & Gas, Agriculture, etc... I could provide more details about it later if you interested to know. The obvious fact is that many students they do struggle in their first and second year of graduate training program. Technically, this period is consumed for adaptation to the industrial norms. You may consider this as part of the learning phase; however, my point is efficiency of learning. There is also an element of waste when it comes to learning. The industries could meet all the necessary input variables of learning, you may have a functional learning process (Graduate Development Program, STEM, etc...), however what concerns me is the output. The output is more dependent on the mental aptitude, personality traits, level of resilience, and flexibility of the trainee to adopt to the industrial environment. I believe by allowing early industrial exposure to the students, you would optimize the learning curve, and thus achieve desirable output.

#2: YOU OWN YOUR LEARNING

There is no lecturing and tutoring in the industrial world. You drive the learning process. The all mechanisms growth depends on you. There is no room for horseplay, giggling, and all these sweet talks. As you venture into industrial world, there is different set of excellence bar you are expected to live by. Every organization has sets of values and behavioral practices which becomes the golden rules that defines the work culture. The first hurdle is to know, learn, practice and live by the code of conduct. Mindset shift is the first learning assignment. If you can adopt to the culture, learning is just the process embedded within the culture. Own your mindset, own your learning, and you own your future.

#3: COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION

The greatest hurdle for me was communication. I had the internal fear that knocks me down to approach people. I was struggling to express myself to my colleagues. Public speaking was not my ideal life. I had to remind myself that if I fear public speaking, then this environment doesn't belong to me. I had to repeat this statement countless times in my mind. Eventually, I started to gain confidence to speak. I joined Toastmaster club, involved in public presentation, had regular one-on-one engagement, and eventually I could speak confidently.

When you are given any chance to speak, grab it and develop your public speaking skills. The only obstacle to overcome is your inner fear to speak. Work on yourself, involve in a lot of engagement with lecturers, students, and your student colleague. Use English as your first language while conversing with them. Consider student life as a preparation period into the real industrial world. Grab every opportunity to hone your communication skills.

#4: READING, READING, READING

Let's foster a reading culture. You have great books at the school libraries, grab them and develop an attitude of reading. Read anything that is readable. As far as learning goes, 70 % of learning is self-thought. You obtained by reading. I have the fear that many young people would lose the vitality of knowledge. Why? lack of reading. When I first joined the training program, I was looking for ebooks relating to my field, I went around collecting operating manuals, vendor's literatures to read. I learnt so many things simply by reading. Information is available, we don't grow because of our ignorance to make time for reading.

Workplace should have book club. With this inspiration, I put together between my colleagues (bunch of avid readers) a book club. Technology and the digital world have deprived the gold privilege to read books.

CONCULSION

I am keen to write more but due to limitations of volume of words here, I will let you contemplate on this piece for now.

Let's continue to share messages that may tap the course of learning to another level.