Sach is an economist currently working with the Kautilya School of Public Policy and affiliated with the United Nations University. He specializes in insights from North-Atlantic economic history for policy pedagogy and analysis.
Sub stack: scotoma.substack.com
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. After chemical engineering, I had joined IIFM thinking about environment as my field, but the institute got me into policy analysis. After another MSc in environmental policy more squarely, I made a full switch to economics, and more recently to economic history and trade. I might switch a few more times.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. I hope it lies ahead…
Q. What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. If you’re going for a PhD, sort out your research question and methodology months before applying. I know most programs run detailed courses in research methods. In my experience observing and mentoring several juniors, that is not enough time. It’s better to take online courses in methods to help formulate a good research question. The process will also help you figure out if a PhD is not for you.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. What I learnt at IIFM directly helped get to a job at a federal ministry in New Delhi. That job certainly helped land a scholarship on a prestigious Erasmus Mundus MSc, which in turn led to funding for PhD and so forth.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. IIFM campus was the first place that to me truly felt like a ‘home’. I felt I belonged, lived with a few people I loved and met several people I admired. Being able to get out of bed, take five steps out and immediately be in a serene quiet clearing under a vast open sky among trees… I questioned weekly if I deserved such a privilege.
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. Faculty of course! But then you might say, given my day job, that I’m biased.
Q. What is your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. I get to my office at 8. On the brief walk to work, I unfailingly hear and sometimes spot kingfishers and robins. At the moment I don’t have classes, so after I read news/analysis for the day, I dive into research / reading / writing. Tea or lunch with colleagues or students gets spliced in somewhere on most days. The way back home coincides with about 150 egrets flying overhead at dusk to roost in a tree that is the last thing I see before I step indoors.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. To carry on from that last answer, there are two lakes on either end of the kilometer that separates my workplace from my home. (Does that remind you of something.) When I’m free I take a walk around and observe and count the birds or other species I can espy.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, Monster (2003), Kingdom of Heaven, The Selfish Giant, Sin City, Newsies, Silence of the Lambs, Shoplifters.
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. If IIFM invites me to give a talk on something I know a little about, I’d jump at the chance.