Ankur is a Big Data Architect with vast experience working in the Telecommunications and Healthcare industry. He also has deep knowledge of machine Learning Algorithms and their implementations in Python, R and MATLAB. He did his Bachlor of Engineering before coming to IIFM and also did Master of Sciences in Analytics from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta.
Ankur is currently the Principal Architect with UKG Inc, a US based HCM and WFM solutions company with a client base of over 80,000 companies. Ankur’s specialization is in designing solutions for a unified systems for products catering to the company’s large and varied customer base.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankur-dave-gt
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. If I could summarize my professional journey so far in one phrase I would say, “It has been a very unpredictable and entertaining ride”.
I have been fortunate to work in a variety of places with some fantastic folks for whom, I wish the best in life, even if we may not be in touch anymore. I started as a Management Trainee in Kolkata with Vivada Inland Waterways Ltd. (hope to catch a discounted ride on their Sunderban Cruise again someday), and then moved to Bangalore to work with KSRTC (Karnataka State Remote Sensing Corp) at the behest of my dear friend and batchmate Dharmendra Pandey (Cheers Mate !!). That decision changed my career path for good and gave me a foothold in the buzzing IT sector at that time. I joined Infosys shortly thereafter, moved to Pune and started working in Data Technologies. I am currently working as a Principal Architect (Data & AI) for UKG Inc, an HRM and WFM software Company and living in Atlanta with my lovely wife and two kids. My 9-year-old son likes to play tennis and 3-year-old daughter likes to pretend play Disney princesses; and my life revolves around their whims and fancies nowadays!
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. The only thing that I have learnt in my journey is that everyone gets to carve their own destiny based on their capabilities, opportunities and life situations. All of those variables are constantly in flux, and it takes some amount of luck for all three to align. The only one in your control is ‘capability’, so keep building your capacity and profile and invest time in understanding market and technology trends, as the landscape may be different by the time you are done reading this 
.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. Yes, there have been Project Deliveries, Product Launches and such, but much of the satisfaction I derive from my job comes from the fact that I have been able to contribute positively to the Design and hopefully the build will last the test of time (or maybe 2 years before something new and shiny comes along !!).
On a side note, in my opinion, job satisfaction is a myth. My suggestion is to work hard and smart, so that you can have enough mental and physical capacity left to enjoy your evening and weekends with friends and family. It is easier said than done, but hey we can try !!
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. Education Institutions shape you as a person whether through the daily grind of the submissions and exams, or the interaction with your teachers, alumni and classmates. IIFM with its unique culture, geography and curriculum did have a profound effect on me, and I deeply cherish the time spent there. The Computers class with Dr. C. S. Rathore Sir and Statistics with C.V.R.S Sir were interesting, and I really liked Eco-Tourism lectures by Dr. Bhattacharya who graciously helped me land my first job at Vivada.
My understanding is that whether it is IIFM or any other school you attend, the important thing to gain from those schools is your own work ethic, networking, and most importantly, developing willingness and capacity to learn new things quickly. The course content, as such, will be pretty fundamental everywhere, but what is tested in the job market and world in general, is your ‘capacity to learn’. I have tried to keep that habit intact through these years after graduating from IIFM.
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 would say the biggest influencers in my life in the early part of my career were my friends, professors and batchmates from IIFM and Engineering. My advice to fresh graduates from IIFM would be to stay in touch with your friends and professors in your chosen field. I cannot overstate the significance of healthy and supportive discussions amongst a group of friends trying to navigate the world.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Almost all of my favorite memories from my time in IIFM revolve around a bunch of friendly protagonists who provided all the drama and humour during our short stay there. We went to two Sports meets in Dehradun and Goa, and had the best times of our lives there (we didn’t win much, though). The evenings spent chatting about nothings (well sometimes about endangered Tigers and Penguins), and the late-night rides to nearby dhabas (Sakshi Dhaba was the favorite back then). But the standout memories have to be around the big parties in front of hostels.
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. My biggest takeaway from my time at IIFM is ‘perspective’. Before IIFM happened, my worldview was shaped by very limited and controlled interactions at my Engineering college or school in Jaipur. It was through our travels across India and the conversations that we had with people and amongst ourselves, that helped me develop a habit of looking at an issue with all angles and develop an informed perspective on the problem. I try to use the same approach at my work as well.
I learnt to travel and travel well from IIFM. If I recall correctly we visited, south and central MP like Panchmarhi and Seoni forests, Goa, South Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Sundarbans during my times there. That’s way too much travel and way too much learning for a two year period. IIFM taught me the importance of travel and its relation with learning and having an open mind towards anything that comes your way !!
My love for nature started at IIFM and is still going strong. Although I couldn’t get to pursue a long career in the field, the love I imbibed for the outdoors has only grown strong over the years. I am trying to instill the same sense of love and belonging for nature to my kids as I feel it is even more important for them with today’s distractions.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. We had the most delightful bunch of people in our batch and our senior batch. The first year of my time spent at IIFM was probably the best we had. Every day was a blast and brought something new, and it is really tough to name one or two of them. The annual sports meet at IIFM and Forest Sports meets were always a fun time where we played hard and then partied harder. Some of our seniors, notably Anand Sir, were always fun to be around with and super competitive while playing. I was fortunate to have quite a few close friends from my batch and I am still in touch with all of them. We had the best of time at IIFM though sometimes a bit rocky, but that was part of the rollercoaster. I can probably write 100 pages or more to describe the personalities and deeds of my dear friends, but will stop at thanking them for their presence in my life.
Cheers !!! Dharmendra Pandey, Jayant Roy, Pankaj Lal, Saurabh Jha, Avinash Jha, Karamveer Rathore, Kamal Deo Singh, Krishna Kapil and Ravi.
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. My advice to freshers will be to spend as much time as possible capacity building through reading and networking. There will always be time to pursue other hobbies, but your time at school should be spent primarily on the above two things. I can already see my friends laughing at me for making this suggestion, but its true !!!
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. For students who are interested in careers related to emerging Data Technologies, I can help with guidance on market trends, capacity building suggestions and job referrals for applying to various companies including UKG (India offices are in Noida and Pune).
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. The biggest difference that I see between now and then is engagement with Alumni and industries. Back in 2002-04 internet was still young and social media wasn’t even a phrase. Now I see a lot happening in terms of engagement and promotional activities via Social Media and that is absolutely critical in today’s world. It is not enough just being good; you have to seen that way as well !!
Parting remarks:
I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone involved with IIFM and wish them the best this life has to offer. Always believe in yourself and spend dedicated time towards self-growth. Keep your friends close as they will stick with you regardless, and everything else will fall in place, in a due course of time. Good Luck !!