Curiosity Is One of the Most Valuable Career Skills | Career Advice

Why the Best Students Ask More Questions

During our interview with senior aerospace engineer Baktash Hamzehloo, one theme kept appearing throughout the conversation:

Curiosity.

Not grades.

Not prestige.

Not memorization.

But genuine curiosity about how things work.

According to Baktash, one of the biggest differences between average students and students who grow quickly in their careers is simple:

The best students constantly ask questions.

The Engineer Mindset

At one point in the interview, Baktash explained that students should not just move through life passively.

For example, if you drive a car, he believes you should naturally wonder:

• How does it work?
• Why does it work?
• What systems are behind it?

Not necessarily because you need to become a mechanic or engineer—but because curiosity trains your brain to think deeper about the world around you.

And according to him, that mindset becomes extremely valuable in professional industries.

Why Curiosity Matters More Than Memorization

A lot of students focus only on:

• Passing exams
• Finishing assignments
• Getting through courses

But curiosity changes learning completely.

Curious students usually:

• Learn faster
• Retain information longer
• Connect ideas better
• Adapt more easily
• Ask stronger questions

That's because curiosity creates active learning instead of passive memorization.

And in fast-changing industries, active learners almost always outperform passive ones long-term.

The Interview Test He Uses

One of the most interesting insights from the interview was how Baktash evaluates people during interviews.

He often asks candidates about:

• Their hobbies
• Their interests
• Things they enjoy outside work

Then he asks deeper questions about those interests.

Why?

Because according to him, if someone does not understand their own hobby deeply, it becomes difficult to believe they will deeply care about professional work that may sometimes be less exciting.

That's a powerful insight.

Curiosity is not just about academics—it reflects how a person approaches life in general.

Real-World Example

Imagine two students.

Student A

• Only studies when required
• Rarely asks questions
• Learns only for exams
• Avoids exploring topics independently

Student B

• Constantly researches things independently
• Watches videos outside class
• Connects topics together
• Questions how systems work in real life

Over time, Student B usually develops:

• Stronger understanding
• Better adaptability
• Better interview conversations
• More creative problem-solving ability

And according to Baktash, those qualities become extremely valuable in professional environments.

Where Students Can Apply This Today

Students can develop curiosity through small habits:

• Asking "why" more often
• Exploring topics outside class
• Reading or watching content independently
• Connecting theory to real-world applications
• Going deeper into personal interests

Even hobbies can become valuable learning tools if students approach them with attention and curiosity.

The goal is not to know everything.

The goal is to build the habit of wanting to understand more deeply.

Why Curiosity Matters Even More Today

In a world where information is instantly accessible through AI and technology, memorizing information becomes less important.

What matters more is:

• Asking the right questions
• Understanding systems
• Thinking critically
• Learning continuously

And according to Baktash, curiosity is one of the biggest drivers behind those abilities.

The Bigger Lesson

Students often think success comes from already knowing the answers.

But in reality, many successful professionals became successful because they never stopped asking questions.

And according to Baktash, curiosity may be one of the most underrated advantages students can build early in their careers.

Credit & Interview Source

This article is based on insights shared during our interview with Baktash Hamzehloo, where he discussed engineering education, hiring, curiosity, learning habits, and the mindset that helps students succeed in modern industries.