Parul is Program Research Lead at WRI India; where she is primarily working towards exploring agroecological approaches, nature-based solutions and sustainable means for improving rural livelihoods.
A 2008 batch IIFMite, she has over 12 years of multi-disciplinary, cross-sectoral experience in market and socio-economic research as well as monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Starting her career with Kantar Group, she worked across leading market research firms, handling key accounts. In the development sector she has worked across domains of agriculture, health, education and infrastructure.
She is also currently pursuing PhD from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. Her research interests include exploring ICT adoption by rural population and use of smartphones by farmers. She is currently based out of Guwahati.
EMAIL ID: [email protected]
Twitter: @sharmaparul
Q) How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A) Quite interesting! I was placed in Kantar erstwhile IMRB International during the campus placement. Being a variety seeker and with interest in quantitative research, I enjoyed market research as it provided opportunity to work across various sectors and explore different product categories and services while helping me get well versed with statistics. However, it was becoming a typical corporate job and after some time, I didn’t find it fulfilling as the only aim seemed to be growing business and making more profit! I then moved to socio-economic research in development sector to utilise my skills for a better purpose.
Q) What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A) Learning is a continuous lifelong process and over time the experience gained with various organizations has helped me gain better understanding of research and its applications. I have been lucky to lead some key client accounts in market research and apply learnings from the corporate sector in development sector to devise better solutions.
Q) What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A) Finding solutions through research, directed at making an “incremental & productive” impact on the lives of people is the most fulfilling part of my current role.
Q) Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A) Absolutely! We were a small batch of 36 from across the country with different academic backgrounds, all put in one place, under the same course. The best learning has been developing interpersonal skills and, in the process, appreciating each other’s similarities and differences.
The significant on-field experience that IIFM provided is also something which helps you have a closer and in-depth understanding of issues afflicting resources and communities and equipping with better ways to deal with those issues.
Another significant contribution to my learning has been the time spent in organizations founded by IIFMites. I had the opportunity to work at Sambodhi and Iora Ecological, both founded by IIFMites and undoubtedly have had the best learning at these organisations. The passion and zeal with which IIFMites work is contagious and brings out the best in you.
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) One of the biggest influences has been Prof. Madhu Verma. I am glad to have had the opportunities to work with her. She has inspired me to realise my potential and continues to guide me till date. The other person is my husband, Sunil who happens to be my batchmate too. He has been extremely supportive, backing my decisions and helping me deal with tough days at work.
Q) What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A) Lots of memories. During those two years, we were lucky to have an amazing bunch of seniors as well as juniors. A few memorable moments include an impromptu dance performance with some livewires of the junior batch at Kalpataru and intermittently sleeping on the baddy court while playing mixed doubles to complete a delayed tournament overnight!
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) It’s the complete package! I think we had the best faculties and an interesting mix of students. Library at IIFM is great but underutilised! One of the best things about the course at IIFM was it being a fully residential course, needless to mention among the best located campuses.
Q) The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A) We were a closely knit batch and most of the friendships we made during that time are still alive. About the memorable tidbits, it is safer to keep it limited to batch audience only!
Q) As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A) Explore and make the best of this life-defining opportunity. The last time I was in campus, (some 4-5 years back) I didn’t see a single student outside in spite of the batch being present on campus in full strength. It’s unfortunate that with social media and now the pandemic, most of our conversations today have become virtual. There is need to explore, interact more with peers, faculty, staff, alumni while at and even after IIFM.
Q) What is your typical day at the office?
A) With remote working for some time now, most of the time is spent in communicating and co-ordinating with the team members. Daily, weekly check-ins with team members to co-ordinate the research efforts, planning and execution of work, preparing presentations, reports, brainstorming on findings and communication with various internal and external stakeholders. There are some boring days too which are spent in operational tasks!
Q) You would like share about your typical weekends.. Hobbies.. Family..
A) Before covid, both me and my husband used to explore places through road trips. The best experience has been driving from Delhi to Kochi and back, which we did few years back. After Covid, my weekends are dedicated to weekly household cleaning, running errands or Netflix binge.
Q) Favorite Books, movies, authors, ..
A) I am probably the black sheep among IIFMites when it comes to book reading! Most of my reading is casual and light. The only book I have read multiple times and enjoyed the most is my husband’s book of poetry- ‘What goes into a butterfly?’ as I can relate to many of the experiences narrated through poems.
Besides, there is enough serious reading I do pertaining to my job and that of PhD work. But I am quite a movie buff. I happened to watch the best movies at IIFM. Thanks to the recommendations by my roomie Pranita who was the movie club co-ordinator! Of late, I have become a fan of Malayalam cinema, and some of the recent Malayalam movies have been outstanding.
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) It’s very heartening to see the updates and some great initiatives taken by IIFMIGHT team, Alumni Association/Network Community and Alumni Cell over the last few months in bringing together the alumni community. I congratulate all the people involved and appreciate their efforts for taking out time from their busy schedules. I will be happy to contribute in whichever way to keep it going and strengthen it further. I have recently moved from Delhi to Guwahati and would love to connect with alumni in North East.
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) The small batch and well-defined curriculum were probably what was different then from now. One positive change is that the domain which was considered niche is more mainstream now as there is growing requirement for skilled manpower to manage our present needs sustainably and IIFM has been providing management education aimed at that for years.
Q) Any suggestions on who from our alumni you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A) Several of them have already been covered in previous profiles and the coordinators make sure that there is interesting mix and variety of profiles, so I better leave it to them. One suggestion is if there can be interactive online sessions with well-known alumni/entrepreneurs to learn more about their achievements, challenges, and journey.