Amit is an ESG professional working in this field for more than 12 years now. Currently he is working as an Associate Director with KPMG in India and based out of Mumbai. He has been instrumental in supporting clients in different industry sectors – metals and mining, cement, power generation, fertilizers & IT-services in transforming their sustainability journey. He is a Mechanical Engineer and choose IIFM for post graduation in Environment Management.
He is a hardcore environmentalist and an engineer at heart. He likes supporting his clients in solving complex challenges in ESG space.
Linkedin: https://in.linkedin.com/in/amitdarak
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. I joined IIFM primarily to study environment management. Multidimensional aspects of the course helped me carve out career in this space. I started initially as an expert in Carbon Credits to structure commodity contracts with National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited. Post that I got an opportunity to work with a consulting firm, and there is no looking back since then!
The journey so far has been quite exciting – initial couple of years primarily focusing on carbon credits, then moving towards energy efficiency and energy strategy, further focusing on sustainability disclosures and now charting out ESG strategy and transformation.
I believe that two years spent at IIFM has been quite instrumental in helping me align to a dynamic career in consulting.
Q. What were some of the key learning / milestones in your journey? Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. The journey so far has been quite challenging and full of new learnings. Learnings started right from my role as an internship coordinator for my batch in IIFM, then being part of placecom. Many of such experiences and learnings during my IIFM days prepared me well to face the real challenges in the outside world.
As part of my career progression, one of the most important learning is that – we need to re-learn and upgrade ourselves continuously. If I specifically talk about career in consulting, communication – both written and verbal is critically important. I learnt over a period of time that understanding pulse of the person on other side is critical for success.
Q. What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are aspiring for similar roles?
A. For the freshers – I believe that one needs to spend some time understanding their personal inclination. While career in consulting looks quite attractive, however it is an intensive job – it tests your patience and pushes you to limits.
Another important aspect that current students need to focus is – understanding current trends, developing analytical capabilities and improving written and verbal communication skills.
After graduating when you get into real world – be patient and focus on learnings in initial few years.
Q. The best friends / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. I got really great friends at IIFM. We shared good time and tough times together. Specially, duration before exams used to be quite interesting. Also, internship and placements season was full of emotions and sharing deep thoughts.
I remember one of the incidents when we had requested CS Rathore Sir to start course on E-Governance and the way we pushed him to start the course was really interesting. It was one incident when we were successful in pushing Sir out of his comfort zone. I hope he enjoyed teaching our batch.
Another incident that I always remember is – when I asked a question in class to YD Sir – on importance of butterflies in the ecosystem – it kinda drifted complete chain of thoughts and discussion became very interesting for rest of the class.
There are many more interesting and memorable moments – tough to pick up a few!!
Q. And how about weekends, Hobbies, Family and anything else you want to add?
A. Nowadays a lot of time is spent with family and my two-month-old newborn on weekends.
Earlier I tried learning some guitar; otherwise, I try to spend my time reading.
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 closely connected with IIFM for last few years (since 2018), when I got an opportunity to conduct a guest lecture. I am proud to have contributed to structuring of Sustainable Management course at IIFM – it was the need of industry. I remember having spent quite a bit of time with 10 students in the first batch of PSM. I am glad some of them have now become my colleagues.
I intend to continue my association with PSM batches and would suggest that we have a dedicated Board to ensure this course is industry relevant all the times in future as well.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Anushka Sood