While studying at the Polytechnic Institute of St Petersburg, and acting as assistant to Chuprov, he took on further duties in 1912 when he began lecturing at a commercial school in St Petersburg.
Habang ang pag-aaral at ang politeknik Institute of St Petersburg, at kumikilos bilang assistant sa Chuprov, siya kinuha sa karagdagang tungkulin sa 1912 kung kailan siya nagsimulang lecturing sa isang komersyal na paaralan sa St Petersburg.