While my engineering specialization was Information Technology, we had courses from all branches of engineering the first year. Mechanical engineering was one of them. Due to scheduling, availability or whatever issues, the professor responsible for that course for our class was ever changing. We probably had at least 5 different processors, some covering a couple of weeks, some a couple months. All of them knew that they were assigned to this class on a stop gap basis. And it showed.

Except Prof D. Prof D was one of the most sincere professors I have ever had, even though it a grand total of only 2 classes. He knew he was going to be there only for 1-2 classes so he did not bother with the coursework or syllabus. Instead he covered basic mechanical engineering concepts, and some fun items. How do I use a pressure sensor calibrated in PSI at the gas station (petrol bunk) for my vehicle’s wheel labeled in kg/cm². Why does a Yamaha motorbike make more sound than a Hero Honda Splendor. I don’t even remember other things he covered, but I still remember the sincerity and dedication he showed. The love for mechanical engineering he had. It did not matter to him if it was one class or a hundred. He saw each class as an opportunity to spread the knowledge and love he had for mechanical engineering.

Any time I get a temporary responsibility, a project that only would last a couple of weeks before I would have to transition, a team I have to lead till a new manager is recruited, I try to remember Prof D. It does not matter how long it is, all it matters is the impact you have created and what you have learned in that experience.