If You Can't Explain It Simply, You Don't Understand It
Satu Academy insight featuring senior aerospace engineer Baktash Hamzehloo: The interview test that exposes memorization vs real understanding—and why simple explanations are a career superpower.
Key takeaways
- Prioritize communication skills for students over hype, shortcuts, or comparison-driven decisions.
- The interview test that exposes memorization vs real understanding.
- Show proof through projects, internships, and habits—not inflated résumés or memorization alone.
- Interview source: Baktash Hamzehloo on “If You Can't Explain It Simply, You Don't Understand It” (Satu Academy).
One of the Most Important Skills Students Ignore
During our interview with senior aerospace engineer Baktash Hamzehloo, he shared a surprisingly difficult challenge he gives people during interviews:
Define your field without using technical words — in a way a 15-year-old can understand.
And according to him, even highly educated people struggle with it.
That idea reveals something important:
Understanding a concept deeply is very different from memorizing information about it.
Why Simplicity Is Hard
A lot of students think sounding complicated makes them sound smarter.
They use:
- Technical jargon
- Complex explanations
- Memorized definitions
But in reality, people who truly understand something can usually explain it simply.
That's because they understand:
- The core idea
- The purpose behind it
- How it applies in the real world
As Baktash explained during the interview, students often pass courses successfully without fully understanding what they learned.
And that becomes a problem later.
Where This Shows Up in Real Life
This gap becomes obvious during:
- Interviews
- Team projects
- Presentations
- Internships
- Client meetings
For example, imagine an engineering student being asked:
What does controls engineering actually do?
One student gives:
- A memorized textbook definition
- Technical vocabulary nobody understands
Another student says:
It's basically teaching systems how to react automatically and make decisions correctly.
The second answer may sound simpler—but it shows clearer understanding.
And in real-world environments, clarity matters.
Why Employers Care About This
Companies do not only hire technical ability.
They also hire:
- Communication
- Clarity
- Problem-solving
- Collaboration
An engineer, marketer, designer, or business professional constantly needs to explain ideas to:
- Managers
- Clients
- Teams
- Non-technical people
If you cannot simplify your own work, it becomes much harder to:
- Lead projects
- Build trust
- Work in teams
- Teach others
That's why this skill becomes a competitive advantage.
Real-World Example
Imagine two students graduating from the same program.
Student A
- Memorized formulas
- Speaks using technical jargon
- Struggles to explain concepts clearly
Student B
- Understands concepts deeply
- Connects theory to practical use
- Explains ideas simply and confidently
During technical interviews, Student B often stands out more—not because they know more, but because they communicate understanding more effectively.
And according to Baktash, that difference matters a lot in professional environments.
How Students Can Practice This
One of the best ways to test your understanding is simple:
Try teaching it.
After finishing a course or topic:
- Explain it to a friend
- Explain it to someone younger
- Remove unnecessary jargon
- Focus on the "why," not only the formula
If you struggle to simplify it, that usually means there are still gaps in your understanding.
And that's completely normal—it simply shows where deeper learning is needed.
The Bigger Lesson
Education is not only about collecting information.
It's about building understanding strong enough that you can:
- Apply it
- Adapt it
- Communicate it clearly
According to Baktash, students who develop this ability gain an enormous advantage—not only academically, but professionally.
Because in the real world, clarity often beats complexity.
Credit & Interview Source
This article is based on insights shared during our interview with Baktash Hamzehloo, where he discussed engineering education, hiring, communication skills, and the gap between memorization and true understanding in student development.
Frequently asked questions
- What should students know about one of the most important skills students ignore?
- Baktash Hamzehloo ties “One of the Most Important Skills Students Ignore” to a broader lesson: the interview test that exposes memorization vs real understanding—and why simple explanations are a career superpower.
- Why Simplicity Is Hard?
- In “If You Can't Explain It Simply, You Don't Understand It,” Why Simplicity Is Hard highlights why the interview test that exposes memorization vs real understanding—and why simple explanations are a career superpower.
- What should students know about where this shows up in real life?
- Students exploring where this shows up in real life should remember: the interview test that exposes memorization vs real understanding—and why simple explanations are a career superpower.