Aug122024

Move the Needle: Insights into HPC and Student Development

In a recent Interview with Dr. Ludovic Capelli, Teaching Fellow at EPCC/University of Edinburgh, the Move the Needle team explored what it takes to make an exceptional High-Performance Computing (HPC) graduate. Capelli’s perspectives illuminate the essential skills in this field and how students can develop them during their studies.

Interview by Cristin Merritt, CMO of Alces Flight with editorial support by Dominik Wojtak

Dr. Ludovic Capelli

Unconventional Path to HPC

Dr. Ludovic Capelli’s entry into the world of HPC was far from traditional. His early passion for mathematics faced a major setback due to sudden hearing loss just before starting university, prompting a shift in his career plans. Initially pursuing a degree in accounting, Ludovic discovered a programming masters entirely by accident. During a university open day he was directed into the wrong room, where he learned that his long-standing hobby of programming could become a career.  From there, he began to pursue computer science studies and with it, a career in HPC.

Navigating HPC with an Invisible Disability

As the first in his family to attend university, Ludovic has achieved significant academic success, earning both a master’s degree and a PhD. He chose not to disclose his disability during his academic journey, preferring to be evaluated solely on his academic merit. Ludovic acknowledges that others with invisible disabilities are on their own journeys where they may choose to disclose their limitations and needs (or not!). He admits experiencing self-doubt and imposter syndrome were actually even more of an issue than his hearing loss.  However, in both cases he has found that developing persistence and resilience in the face of challenges has served him well.

The Ideal HPC Graduate: A Blend of Skills and Team Dynamics

Ludovic highlighted a few key traits that set an ‘ideal’ HPC graduate apart. Chief among them is the ability to embrace mistakes. In his early classes, he emphasises viewing mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. This is something he calls a ‘fail fast’ process where it is established early that mistakes can and are allowed to be made, and should be embraced and explored. This approach is vital for managing stressful situations and helps students gain confidence in their abilities.

A second standout trait in the exceptional HPC graduate is teamwork. Group projects during studies are crucial as they expose students to different personality types and collaborative dynamics. Understanding one’s role within a team, whether as a leader or a detail-oriented contributor, is essential. Ludovic shared insights into the colour personality profiling tool, which describes personality types in four quadrants. Identifying personality traits using colour codes (red, green, yellow, blue) helps in understanding strengths and areas needing support.

You might notice that technical skills aren’t top of the list.  While not to be overlooked, it was noted by Ludovic that those who can embrace mistakes and learn to understand their ideal working self and collaboration capabilities often fare better in the field.  Technical skills come with practice and persistence, but long term success is often guided by those willing to develop a growth mindset.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Students

  • Confront Challenges Directly: Procrastination can hinder progress. Facing challenges head-on is crucial for improvement.  Remember that while the career goal may be your destination, it’s the journey that will give you the most satisfaction.
  • Improve Communication Skills: Many students, especially those for whom English is a second language, fear public speaking. Ludovic advises consistent practice to overcome these fears and readily shares his own presentation experiences with his students.
  • Address Your Skill Gaps: Regularly identifying and working on your current skill gaps is essential. Whether it is a direct technical need or certification, or something like finding opportunities to improve on soft skills and mindset, you should always be open to opportunities to learn.

Master’s Program at the University of Edinburgh

Watch the full interview!

You can now watch the full interview to gain all the insights from Ludovic, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to education in HPC, balancing technical skills with soft skills, and learning about his career journey.