Authors: Michelle Unger, Arash Ilbagi
Authors: Michelle Unger, Arash Ilbagi
In this edition of Facets, Michelle Unger talks with Arash Ilbagi, a technical leader in pipeline integrity, about a topic they both care deeply about: how continuous learning shapes meaningful careers. Michelle has spent years exploring what it really takes to build competence in complex, high-stakes industries. She often reminds us that competence is not just about certificates or formal training. It is about how people think, adapt, and grow through their daily work.
Arash shares what that looks like in practice. He reflects on his own learning journey and the habits that have helped him grow, such as taking ownership of his work and staying curious about every project. His stories bring Michelle’s ideas to life, showing that learning does not happen separately from work. It is part of staying relevant, supporting each other, and moving forward.
This is a real conversation about the human side of technical work. Together, Michelle and Arash explore how a mindset of curiosity and openness can keep people inspired, connected, and ready for future challenges and opportunities in the pipeline industry.
Arash, you recently gave an impromptu talk to your colleagues about learning, and it clearly resonated with many of them. Can you tell us more about what sparked that moment for you? Was there a specific experience or piece of advice that motivated you to do this?
It actually came from a casual moment. I did not have slides. I just wanted to share what my mentor told me early in my career: that you do not just do calculations – you own them. You should know where they come from, what standard or code they are tied to, and what assumptions they carry. If you are using a tool to perform a task, do not stop at "it works." Learn how it works. It is how you earn credibility and grow your judgment.
Michelle: Earlier, you spoke about the importance of truly understanding the tools and calculations you use and not just relying on them. How does that mindset carry over into how you approach continuous learning throughout a career?
Arash: It creates momentum. When you treat every project as an opportunity to learn something new – a new method, a new standard, even a historical failure case – you start building not just knowledge but wisdom. I always tell the younger engineers on my team to make a habit of reading one paper per job. That alone adds up fast. It helps you connect the dots across projects, threats, and technologies.
Michelle: You mentioned the need to understand both the technical background of your work and the tools that enable it. How do you personally approach technical growth to stay ahead in a field like pipeline integrity, which is evolving so rapidly?
Arash: I think of it in layers. You have to stay current on new threats, evolving regulations, and emerging tools, but that does not replace fundamentals. Our work is increasingly digital, using data-driven tools, machine learning, and advanced sensors. But at the core, you are still assessing materials, stress, corrosion, cracking, and deformation. The key is learning to integrate the two.
Michelle: With everything moving so fast: new standards, technologies, and threats, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. What advice do you have for engineers who feel they do not have the time or capacity to keep up with it all?
Arash: Start small. Sign up for alerts when standards update. Pick one concept per project to dive into. Ask questions. And be honest when you do not know something. It sets a tone of openness, and others usually step in to help. I often joke: if you are unsure, ask Simon Slater (he is one of our excellent engineers at ROSEN). But seriously, reach out to someone, and I am sure, in each organization or industry, there are many SME’s you can reach out to.
Michelle: Throughout our conversation, you have touched on mentoring, ownership, and continuous growth. To wrap up, what is the deeper reason why all this matters? What keeps you committed to this learning mindset year after year?
Arash: Lifelong learning is not a slogan. It is a posture. It keeps your work meaningful. It protects you against becoming obsolete. And it makes you a better teammate and mentor. Our industry is built on standards, but it is powered by people who never stop learning.