Took a manufacturing management class a number of years ago. Aside from the usual management theories, the instructor taught me 3 things that I remember to this day, which may or may not be true:
1. When walking to the restroom, always carry some paperwork. This makes it look as if you are busy, and you wont get stopped for idle chit-chat.
2. Learn to golf, as all of the big deals/promotions seem to be made on the golf course. (I still suck at golf)
3. Take a ballroom dancing class, because that's where the women are. (Especially appropriate in an engineering program, not that any of us could have gotten a date
)
As to your last question, it was definitely the instructor for me. He was working on his doctorate at the time, and had actual real world experience from working at NASA for a number of years. (Couldn't say that about most of my other instructors, BTW.)
His office was also filled with pics of his restored MGB and several vintage motorcycles. Good guy, and I took every class he taught.
