Dr. Sunil Kumar, currently working with Ernst & Young LLP in the Economic Development Advisory domain, embarked on a consulting career post-IIFM. This transition allowed him to explore diverse problem-solving avenues across government and private organizations, enriching his practical knowledge and skill set. Sunil has excelled in various domains, including sustainability reporting, SDGs, MSMEs, Access to finance, and Monitoring & Evaluation.
Linkedin : (4) Dr. Sunil Kumar | LinkedIn
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. IIFM provided me with the opportunity to work in the consulting sector and solve a diverse set of problems. Following my studies at IIFM, I transitioned from academia to consulting. Over the past few years, I have worked with both government and private sector organizations. Thus, I consider this journey so far to be truly remarkable.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. My journey post-IIFM has been defined by several key milestones and learnings. Transitioning from academia to consulting marked a significant shift, allowing me to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios. Working across government and private sectors provided diverse problem-solving experiences, enriching my skills, and understanding. Contributing to public sector issues was immensely rewarding. Embracing continuous learning has been pivotal, shaping my growth both professionally and personally throughout this journey.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. The most satisfying aspect of my career is solving public sector problems using my knowledge and experience.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. My time at IIFM provided me with a better understanding of various aspects. Interacting with a diverse set of fellow IIFM’ites and faculty members broadened my knowledge horizons, supporting me in making informed decisions during my professional journey.
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. I believe that obtaining a deep understanding at the field level is crucial in any sector or profession, encompassing both technical and soft skills. Therefore, my advice for freshers is to embrace learning, stay adaptable, network, hone problem-solving skills, and remain resilient.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Reflecting on my days at IIFM fills me with a treasure trove of cherished memories. Among the multitude of experiences, a few stand out vividly. The camaraderie forged with fellow students, late-night discussions delving into diverse subjects, and the invaluable guidance received from esteemed faculty members were instrumental in shaping my journey.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. Three factors significantly contributed to my research journey:
the diversity of courses available,
the expertise of the faculty members, and the well-stocked library resources.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that everyone take full advantage of these three aspects during their time at IIFM.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. IIFM has given me many friends, and some of them I still keep in regular touch. Regarding the faculty members, each one has contributed significantly in making me what I am today. However, due to my research work, I had more interaction with my supervisor, Dr. Ashutosh Verma; therefore, he has been one of the most influential individuals for me. Other faculty members I would like to mention include Dr. CVRS Vijay Kumar, Dr. C P Kala, and Dr. Manmohan Yadav.
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. I would advise the freshers to focus on three things during their IIFM journey: learning, networking, and having fun.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. My day typically starts at 9:30 AM and wraps up around 7 PM. It usually involves multiple meetings and discussions with clients. I’m responsible for managing my team on the project and ensuring timely deliveries.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family, and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends revolve around fulfilling family responsibilities and spending time with my daughter. Additionally, I often go for cycling and playing badminton.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. I am not an avid reader, but I found ‘The Wisdom of Finance: Discovering Humanity in the World of Risk and Return‘ by Mihir Desai to be an interesting read. Whenever I have time, I try to read some spiritual books.
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? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. I may not be able to participate actively; however, I would be happy to mentor a few students.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. The most significant difference I noticed is the increased utilization of the Alumni Network for placements, internships, which is beneficial from an institutional perspective.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. There are many FPM seniors whom, I would like you to reach out to such as Irshad Ali, Swati Chauhan, Ruchika Bammi, Nikhil Kaushik, Poornima Mishra.