We’re lucky to come to work each day with such a great group of people. This month, meet Optic Studio Associate Product Manager Akil Bhagat, whose job is to stay customer-centric and whose favorite coworker is a stuffed shark.

1. Briefly describe what you do all day.
   I work on the product team to help guide the future of OpticStudio. This involves lots of communication with the development, engineering, and revenue teams to collect customer feedback, learn industry trends, and help prioritize development.

2. What’s the best thing about your job?
   Getting to pick up on trends of customer needs and watching the solutions be implemented into our software.

3. What’s the best thing about Zemax?
   Zemax has a great team of talented, smart, and driven people. It’s very rare to see someone’s ego get in the way of a good idea.

4. What does your workspace look like?
   I have lots of random toys on my desk—actually probably too many toys—but the most important is Sharky, my stuffed shark with a laser on his head.

5. What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?
   So, you’re saying we’re allowed to leave…

6. Fill in the blank: I’d most like to have dinner with…
   All living U.S. Presidents

7. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?
   Instantaneous teleportation

8. What is the song title that best describes your personality?
   TiK ToK by Ke$ha

9. How would you most like to time travel?
   Time traveling space ship. Because then I also get a space ship.

10. Greatest game in history?
    Sports? Football
    Video Game? Halo 3

11. Favorite app?
    Flatstick

12. What are some words of advice for others in your profession?
    It’s better to try and fail than to never try.