Dr. Ali Khamesipour, Assistant Professor, Program Director, STC

Wow, it is Week 4 already!!   

I hope you all have enjoyed your coursework and the activities the STC faculty and students have helped coordinate this quarter.  

I want to share my thoughts on how one can define success and use the available resources to ensure they are on the right path to their goal. First, define your goal. Have a clear vision of your destination and prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for when you achieve that goal. Then, plan the proper route to get to that goal. Set small checkpoints and assess yourself frequently to ensure you are getting closer to your destination. If you have missed a few checkpoints; you must rethink your plan.   

Feel free to try something new and not be afraid to fail. These two components are the best ways to learn. Remember that all successful people have practiced both characteristics for their personal development. Engage yourself in meaningful conversations, explain your goals and plans and try to collect regular feedback. You will be surprised how these conversations will help you improve yourself and build your network. Always keep yourself motivated and reflect back to your main goal. Return-On-Investment (ROI) is a crucial concept every successful business focuses on. Our personal lives are not that different. Make sure the effort you put into something will pay back one way or the other. And finally, never try to reinvent the wheel, use someone else’s wheel, and build a car on top of it.    

Our student clubs and research groups provide an invaluable resource for practicing the aforementioned skills and getting feedback from your fellow students, STC alum, students, and faculty members.    

In the end, I encourage everyone to exhaust all of the resources made available through CityU for your success.