Ms Pranita Bhagat (PFM 2006-08) is a CTDP Certified, Learning and Development professional. She is currently working as a manager, (instructional design and online learning) with NPOWER in Canada. NPOWER is a non-profit organization with the motto to reduce poverty in Canada by creating employment opportunities for underserved and vulnerable young adults by providing them adequate training and guidance. She is currently managing regional teams in GTA, Vancouver, and Calgary. Prior to moving to Canada, She had been part of various projects in different capacities across North India, Mumbai, and Gujarat.
She started her career in the environmental sciences and in a career spanning over 12 plus years served in different capacities before deciding to be an academician which would let her leave a meaningful impact on young lives and be the changemaker she is. For Pranita, this experience has been enriching, glorifying, and fulfilling.
Linkedin-https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranita-bhagat-mba-ctdp-a81302b
Email-[email protected]
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. It has been an amazing learning curve. What started as an interest to be and work in the field of Environmental Sciences, ended up being an academician, who is trying to make a change by impacting young lives. In a nutshell, it has been an enriching, gratifying, and fulfilling experience.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Although my entry into the field of academics was chance upon, I always link it back to the Training and Development aspects of my jobs, which I enjoyed the most. It is alright to find your true passion later in your career, but once you realize it, just go with the flow.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. The most satisfying part of the current role is being able to make a change where it matters the most. As I mentioned, the demographics I work with are young adults who are vulnerable in all aspects, to say the least. To be able to guide them, to be able to provide them with a career path that they never thought they would have, to be able to place them in mainstream employment is the best thing to be a part of. I am a changemaker and wouldn’t have had it otherwise.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Absolutely. For every new thing I ventured into, the foundation was laid at IIFM. The diversity that IIFM presents in its faculty and their experiences makes everything you face in the real world very relatable.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. CVRS Sir, YD Sir, CSR Sir, Madhu Verma ma’am, and my husband – Tarvinder Singh who is also IIFM alumni have been the biggest drivers in my career. My advice would be to reach out to the community that IIFM is for when you get stuck. The network that will open to you is huge. Make most of the opportunities that IIFM gives you, while not just being a student but also as an alumnus.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Many to list them all here! Late-night study drills especially during MANAC 1 and 2, Veerji’s cafe, Maggi Point, Weekly trips to New Market, the friendships we made!
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni.. Anything else!!) or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. In all the roles that I have taken up so far, there has always been an element that connected me back to IIFM, and what I studied there. In my first ever job, I conducted several participatory studies for research – it linked back to everything Rekha Singhal ma’am taught us. The analysis that I ran for that research linked back to everything CVRS sir taught us. For every project that I have undertaken, I have gone back to the faculty, time and again to seek their guidance, and the support that they have extended throughout has been unparalleled.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable titbits that you like to share?
A. The friendships you forge at IIFM, are for a lifetime! Life does take precedence after a few years for sure and it is only natural. But I reach out to anyone after any number of days with a message that goes “Abbe sun” and even if the reply isn’t immediate at times, it always is “Han bol”! I can safely say that about all my classmates – some friendships are close-knit, and I will not name them, but if they read this they know it’s them! Seniors – Your immediate support system that you create when you join IIFM! Reach out to them – at or beyond IIFM, if they can help you they surely will, at times even going above and beyond. And I don’t say that because I am married to my immediate senior (LOL), but I have witnessed it otherwise as well!
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those who are joining IIFM to get the best out of the 2 years there?
A. IIFM is a land of opportunities. How receptive you are to the place and how much you can derive out of it, is entirely up to you! It is rich in resources, research, and faculty experience – try and make the best of it! Also, do keep in mind, whatever you learn at IIFM never really leaves, it will come back to you in some form or other in your professional lives – so give it all your might!
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
A. No day at a not-for-profit organization, especially the one which is EdTech based, is a typical day. On some days, I am just able to focus on Content Development, and on others, I am busy hopping from one meeting to another – spot inspections, vendor meetings for platform pricing, conducting training! The challenge lies in the fact that it is extremely fast-paced, and you must be on your toes all the time. Adaptability and agility are what my role demands, and I am prepared with a plan B first before I act on Plan A!
Q. You would like to share about your typical weekends. Hobbies. Family.
A. Weekends include regular household chores, spending time with my daughter and my husband, and savouring the treats he makes for me! I have been an avid reader and enjoy reading anytime – It is a reputation I got to live up to having served as the Literary Club Coordinator at IIFM – Hahahhaha! Off late, a few Netflix series have also been added to the mix 🙂
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors,
A. Many to name, I don’t stick to any one author or one genre when it comes to books! I usually go with recommendations from friends, newspapers, and booker prize nominees. A few notable ones would be Kafka, McEwan, Sallinger, Dalrymple, Gabo (Some of the alumnus and classmates are avid readers and boast of a great collection – Rishi Prakash, Bigsna Gill, Sunil R – reach out to them for recommendations or reader’s block)
Q.IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
A. I am willing to contribute in any way I can. For the alma mater that has given me so much, I am and will always be indebted and if I can give back in any way, I am more than happy to.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? What do you think is a positive change and what is not?
A. From what I hear, the class strength of IIFM has increased. The entrance examination for admissions has changed – there have been a lot of changes and they ought to meet with the times. As long as the impact that IIFMites create in the world resonates with what IIFM stands for, any change is a welcome change!
Q. Any suggestions on who from our alumni you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Parul Sharma (PFM08), Neha Pahuja (PFM08), Kalpana Kashyap (PFM08), Tarvinder Singh (PFM07), Advait Mohole, and many more, there are stalwarts that you will find in every batch who are a success story in every way!