Star GRA Reflects on “Learning by Doing” as He Walks Stage, Bids Farewell to FabLab Career

Vikram Gupta, a graduate research assistant pursuing a Master of Science degree in computer science, started his career in the University of Texas at Arlington FabLab as a volunteer.

“I had always been fascinated with the entire maker culture,” he said. “At that point I was not trying to get a job, I was just interested in the space and was just trying to get involved in on-campus activities and student organizations.”

A few months later, though, fate struck.

“There was a job posting, at a place where I already enjoy spending my time and a role which fit well with my previous work experience,” Gupta said. “Based on my skills and my interests, it was the perfect on-campus job for me.”

Gupta has now worked for the Libraries for two years—through his entire Master’s program—and is reflecting on his time in the makerspace as he waits to walk the stage into the next phase of his career.

“Vikram has been a standout employee in every way,” said Katie Musick Peery, director of the FabLab and interim director of Organizational Excellence. “From his work ethic to his professionalism to his creativity, he has been an integral member of the FabLab team for the last two years, and we are so proud of his many achievements.”

The FabLab has already opened doors for Gupta—last spring, he was selected for a prestigious internship with the tech giant Tesla, in part based on the skills he had cultivated in the FabLab. Coming back to the FabLab from Tesla reinforced the relationship between the makerspace and the work he might be doing once he leaves academia.

“My internship at Tesla helped me hone my technical skills—my work here at FabLab deals with learning new hardware systems, which is very similar,” Gupta said. “After working for a fast-paced tech company like Tesla, I think I was more trained and equipped to contribute better at the FabLab.”

Gupta has been so inspired by his work in the FabLab that he is considering ways to keep the “learning by doing” philosophy part of his career.

“I want to continue being involved in the maker movement,” he said. “I want to continue helping more makerspaces and maybe set up a space in a country like India, where the movement is still in its early stages.”

On the precipice of his graduation, Gupta is fielding interviews with major tech companies and considering his options. He says he hopes to end up back in the Bay area, which he fell in love with during his internship.

Gupta is also reflecting on the benefits of his student employment, especially the mentors he has worked with along the way.

“I was lucky enough to find great mentors at FabLab,” Gupta said. “The full-time staff is always encouraging and trying to create the best possible work environment for us student employees. This taught me the importance of mentorship and a healthy workplace environment.”

Beyond mentorship, the graduate research assistant received an incomparable supplementary education that will complement his degree in his next position.

“The FabLab is a great intersection of science and art and that taught me so many things around art which I would not learn in my engineering curriculum,” Gupta said. “I got to observe the behind-the-scenes of running a makerspace, learned about how non-profits work, learned so much about American culture from my peers. My role at the FabLab was a helpful precursor for my next job in corporate America.”