Nasehat Prof. Claude E. Boyd


"Saya menulis e-mail ini untuk C.E. Boyd, Professor dan aquaculturist amerika yang khusus menekuni manajemen air dan tanah untuk akuakultur. Tulisan-tulisannya telah menjadi rujukan banyak akuakulturis dunia. Ketika terlintas kebingungan dalam melangkah di dunia akuakultur, saya sesekali membaca kembali nasehat beliau di bawah ini."

Dear Prof. Boyd, a really nice expert

My name is Ibnu Sahidhir from Aceh, Indonesia. It is my first carrier in aquaculture, but I am not sure with my future. You are a great person in aquaculture, travelling around the world to help people doing aquatic farming. I really admire you. I want to become
an international aquaculture expert like you,  but the steps are not always clear. I guess there is no Indonesian becoming a great expert. Do work very hard will make it? I read your biography but I think it is supported by your intelligence. I will pursuade graduate program next year in my 27 years old. Please advise me in your busy time.

Best Regards



From: Claude Boyd <[email protected]>
To: Ibnu Sahidhir <[email protected]>
Sent: Tue, August 17, 2010 11:08:28 PM
Subject: Re: Become international aquaculture expert

Dear Mr. Sahidhir,


    
Over the years, I have read several responses of notable persons
to a question such as you have posed, but it is the first time anyone
asked me this question, so I am indeed flattered.  One person's answer
to this question was as follows:  "so much about your success depends
upon being at the right place at the right time that it is foolish to
try to plan."  This answer may appear somewhat lacking in seriousness,
but it does contain a lot of truth.  Nevertheless, I believe that there
are things that one may do in order to increase their chances of being
at the right place at the right time, to realize that they are at the
right place at the right time, and to take advantage of being at the
right place at the right time.  I will list these below but the list is
not in any particular order:



Learn English well. - Like it or not, English is the language of
science, technology, and international commerce.  Even native English
speakers need to learn English well.


Learn the basics. - One cannot influence a process in a predictable way
unless one understands the underlying factors that govern that process.


Ask questions. - Having a mentor is good, but even without a mentor,
you can ask questions.  However, be careful about the answers; they may
be incorrect.


Use intuition. - Unsolved problems are difficult or they would have
been solved already.  You have to start the effort to solve the problem
somewhere, so use your intuition to get started.  It may prove wrong,
but, if so, try something else.  One thing about intuition in
aquaculture endeavors - if your understanding of basic principles is
weak, your intuition will be of no benefit.


Think ahead. - Try to be involved with developing solutions to problems
that are not yet widely recognized as problems.  This requires a lot of
knowledge of a particular activity and much intuition.


Have a plan. - A plan is essential, but it almost never is completely
sufficient.  You have to change the plan as you go.  Life is complicated
and people are not intelligent or intuitive enough to make a rigid plan
in advance that if followed is sure to lead to success.


Be persistent. - You seldom will succeed with the first effort, but you
will never succeed if you do not keep trying.


Be realistic. - Sometimes you try over and over and do not succeed.
You must make a decision - should I continue or give up?  Sometimes it
is best to give up and forget about it.  Giving up may not seem to be
good advice, but there are many people who have spent miserable lives
trying to accomplish something that would prove impossible.  Try hard,
but do not be overly concerned about giving up if it seems to be the
best course.


Work hard. - Few people have ever succeeded at a very high level by
working the minimum amount of time.  However, you cannot work all of the
time; you must have some time for yourself and others.


Let your accomplishments speak for you. - Smooth talkers may be able to
get ahead, but if you make accomplishments, you will progress and others
will realize that you are around.


Stay out of petty arguments. - Those in the scientific and
technological area are possibly the worst of all at bickering about each
others work, ideas, and accomplishments.  Try to remove yourself from
this, for it is counterproductive.  However, maybe it is good to have a
tantrum about how things are going every once in a while.  I suggest
holding this tantrum privately or in the presence of only a few trusted
acquaintances.


Realize your limitations. - One person does not have the ability to do
everything.  You will be happier to focus on topics that do not exceed
your abilities.


Hope or pray for good luck. - It doesn't matter how much you plan and
try, "luck", whatever it is, seems to play an important role.