Dr. Shweta is a post-doctoral researcher at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego. Shweta Started her career as a Deputy Manager at Sambodhi Research and Communications. At Sambodhi, she worked on evaluations of multiple interventions for health, livelihood, and women’s empowerment. Following her keen interest in research around gender and health, she then joined a PhD program in Public Health (Global Health) at the University of California San Diego and San Diego State University. Her current research focuses on social networks and social normative determinants of health in South Asia and West Africa.
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shweta-tomar-a9237743/
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. My journey from IIFM so far has been adventurous and full of learning. IIFM gave me the skills and opportunity to start my career in social science research and to reach where I am today. After graduating from IIFM, I started my career with Sambodhi as a researcher, where I had the opportunity to delve deep into various aspects of research and its real-life implications. The five years I spent at Sambodhi were full of holistic learning experiences ranging from learning to design and conduct rigorous evaluations to managing research teams and engaging with various stakeholders.
Following my stint at Sambodhi, I joined a PhD program in Public Health at the University of California San Diego and San Diego State University. This decision allowed me to dive deeper into academic research and expand my work to different geographies, including Nepal, Niger, and the US. The experience has been intellectually stimulating, pushing me to explore new methodologies and perspectives in gender and public health that I hadn’t used before.
One of the highlights of my journey so far has been the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and cultures, fostering lifelong friendships and professional relationships along the way.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. The journey so far has been full of many small milestones. The biggest and the most recent one is completing my PhD.
Q. How was your experience in Sambodhi? What all areas have you had worked here?
A. My experience in Sambodhi was full of rigorous learning in an enjoyable work environment. At Sambodhi, I worked on evaluation studies for interventions in public health, women’s empowerment, and livelihood sectors. Looking back, I feel that the leadership at Sambodhi gave me a perfect balance of guidance and independence to grow professionally. The best learning opportunities were the continuous training, support, and feedback provided by the senior researchers and peers at Sambodhi. At the same time, the chance to lead components of research projects right from the beginning of my career was the perfect confidence booster that a young researcher needs to grow.
Beyond professional growth, my time at Sambodhi was filled with fun and laughter. Among many joyful moments, lunch breaks were my favorite. Every day, the entire organization would gather to share meals and jokes. I remember these breaks the most because they gave us an opportunity every day to bond with our colleagues. At Sambodhi, I developed strong friendships that I am confident will last a lifetime.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. As a researcher in the global public health field, the most satisfying part of my career is the interactions with health professionals and development practitioners from different cultures. Learning about the unique experiences of researchers and practitioners from various backgrounds, geographies, and cultures is extraordinarily satisfying.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. YES! IIFM helped me in numerous ways. While the courses and faculty helped me learn the basics of research design, data analysis, and development theories, the assignments and club activities helped me acquire many soft skills.
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. The biggest influencers in my career have been the fantastic leaders at Sambodhi. Coincidentally many of them are IIFM alumni. I learned a lot from Kultar, Dharmu, Swapnil, Nitin, and Aparna at Sambodhi. Aparna’s hardworking attitude and commitment to carrying out rigorous research had a remarkable influence on the way I approach my work. My advice to the fresh IIFM graduates who want to make a career in any social science research sector is to find a mentor in the field and interact with them regularly. Also, don’t shy away from learning new things because a career in research means you keep learning new things all your life.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. When I was working at Sambodhi, I understood the real-life significance of research, and I realized that I enjoy doing research on gender and health. Therefore, after a few years of working, going for a PhD seemed like a logical next step.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Walks around the beautiful campus, playing all kinds of sports (some for the first time in my life), extra-curricular activities, quiet breakfasts on the weekends on the Mess lawn, and many more.
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. An attitude shift towards genuinely caring for the environment and being mindful of the waste I generate has been the most critical take away from IIFM. I truly learned and am still learning from various IIFM’ites to lead personal and professional life more sustainably.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. While I am not in touch with many, I made some wonderful friends at IIFM. To name a few, Ashwini, Pragati, Divya(s), Sprih, Moin, Sandeep, Brij, Anoop, Siddhu, Supriya, Rana, Henna, Saranya, Shashank, Asha, Amit, Ajay, Ankit, Achin, Deepak, and many many more.
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. Try to enjoy your time at IIFM to the fullest. For most of you, this will be the last time you will enjoy being a student. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from faculty and peers. Take advantage of the unique nature of the institute to expand your outlook. Not every institute can give you exposure to such a diverse set of fields, including management, forestry, environment, and development. Talk to faculty and alumni in your field of interest to get some guidance. But don’t forget to have fun during this whole process.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. My workday generally starts with meetings, then a lot of reading, thinking, data analysis, and writing. During breaks, I go for short walks around my house/office.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. On weekends, I go for a hike or brunch with friends, camping, sometimes go to a beach, watch a movie, read a book, draw, or have friends over for games and dinner (my husband loves to host people, and I take advantage of that ☺)
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Some recent books I read and liked are Seeing Like a Feminist and Invisible Women.
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. If it helps, I can talk with students who are interested in building a career in social science research.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. It’s difficult to say because I am not engaged with anything at IIFM from last few years.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Swapnil Shekhar, Kultar Singh, Nitin Sharma, Dharmendra Chandurkar, Aparna Seth, Pragati Mandloi and Achin Phulre.