An Amazing Journey from Muchipara to MIT

By Manas Dey, 1995 MET

In the quaint town of Barrackpore, Arijit embarked on a road trip to Kharagpur for admission into master’s program after completing his BE in Electrical Engineering from BESU/IIEST, Shibpur in 2006. Little did he know that this journey would be more convoluted than anything else. As the wheels of his car turned, Arijit reveled in the prospect of a straightforward drive. But, as fate would have it, a phone call intervened, half-way down the road. It was a cosmic awakening, a revelation that had Arijit questioning his academic GPS. The voice on the other end of the line whispered into Arijit's ears, hinting at a better choice – a shimmering oasis called IISc Bangalore. Suddenly, the road to Kharagpur seemed less appealing. Arijit took a majestic U-turn in Kolaghat. But, oh, the plot thickened! Arijit, after a night of contemplation, found himself back at the gates of IIT Kharagpur the very next day.

Arijit, a PhD from MIT, now an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, humorously and philosophically narrated this part of his life story. His words resonated with the audience as he painted a vivid picture of how he sailed from Muchipara to MIT, navigating through the unpredictable seas of life.

Setting the tone for the session was Kalpana Majumdar, 1987 CST, injecting humor with an anecdote about her early days in college and emphasized the enduring culture of brotherhood and sisterhood within our cherished institution, describing it as an invisible thread that continues to bind all alumni even after leaving the college. The mood was reminiscent of an IIESTian adda, an informal chat between Abhishek Das, the moderator, and his departmental senior, Arijit. Abhishek, a graduate of 2006, an employee of LinkedIn, proudly introduced Arijit, a graduate of 2005, who had gone on to achieve remarkable success. Having earned numerous accolades, including the US National Science Foundation Career award and the Grainger College of Engineering Everitt Award for Teaching Excellence, he boasts an impressive array of achievements. Furthermore, he takes pride in securing eighteen patents under his belt.

Similar to many of us, Arijit harbored doubts about his abilities and was pleasantly surprised to find his name in the Joint Entrance Merit List. Arijit's connection to IIEST ran deep, echoing through generations which helped him to take a decision between Shibpur and Jadavpur. His father, an alum of the 1967 batch, EE, had set a legacy that Arijit proudly followed. IIEST, according to him, was an awe-inspiring and utopian place, akin to his experience at MIT, surrounded only by brilliant minds.

Reflecting on his IIEST days, Arijit acknowledged the profound impact the institution had on his career. Fond memories of professors, world-class labs, and brilliant friends lingered in his recollections. His advice to current students was to embrace the present, utilize the opportunities at hand, and focus on building strong fundamentals. Arijit emphasized the importance of curiosity, encouraging students to ask questions and not fear making mistakes, for mistakes were the stepping stones to learning. He imparted valuable advice to current PhD students, emphasizing that they need not fret about the quantity of publications. Instead, their focus should be on tackling interesting problems. Building a robust professional network and cultivating the ability to ask questions independently are crucial to grow the career.

Arijit's journey from IIEST to MIT was marked by unplanned turns. His entry into MIT was not a meticulously laid out plan. Unlike many, he hadn't even been aware of MIT's existence. Dissatisfied with a project managerial role at GE in Bangalore, Arijit sought a place where he could engage hands-on in the lab, leading him to the unexpected discovery of MIT.

The session continued with other alumni sharing their unique journeys. Shreya Sharma, a 2018 AE graduate, narrated her path to MIT, emphasizing the importance of a good project, a strong relationship with a supervisor, and maintaining high grades for admission. Rajyasri Roy, a 2022 CE graduate, discussed the crucial role of CGPA, GRE and TOEFL scores, recommendation letters, and a well-crafted statement of purpose in securing admission at the University of California, Berkeley. Shubechha Paul, a 2021 ME graduate, discussed her Ph.D. journey at Stanford and debunked the misconception that PhDs are exclusively for academia. She supported her point by citing examples of CEOs with PhD. credentials and individuals who ventured into entrepreneurship post their PhD. studies. She believes that her international exposure through a DAAD internship played a pivotal role in her Stanford admission.  The session concluded with Prabir Niyogi, a 1962 CE graduate, echoing wisdom for budding PhD students. He emphasized the doors that a PhD opens in various career opportunities, urging students to overcome the dilemma of choosing a path.

In Arijit's closing remarks, he advised current IIEST students to overcome imposter syndrome, believe in their capabilities, foster a logical and inquisitive mindset, and understand that success has no shortcuts.

Arijit eloquently described distinct three academic stages from his own experience. In the pursuit of a bachelor's degree, the emphasis lies on establishing a robust knowledge base across diverse subjects. Transitioning to the master's level, students typically shift from solving problems posed by professors to independently addressing challenges. Finally, in the realm of a Ph.D., a well-prepared student not only provides answers but also demonstrates the ability to formulate insightful questions. Kalpana Majumdar concluded the session by thanking the executive and core team members formed by Swapan Saha, 1988, EE. She announced the upcoming mentorship programs and SIG initiatives in the next three months in computer/data science, technical consulting, and general leadership areas.

As the session drew to a close, the anticipation for the future loomed large. Arijit's journey from Muchipara to a successful academic career in the USA mirrored the unpredictability of life's trajectory. The audience left with a sense of inspiration, armed with valuable insights from accomplished alumni who had navigated life's dilemmas and emerged triumphant. The promise of a vibrant and engaged community building together spread in the air, echoing the spirit of IIEST.