With nearly two decades in development sector and consulting space, Ranjan has worked with grassroot level NGOs and consulting firms. He has worked in diverse fields and has worked with organisations such as Crown Agents, Sambodhi Research and Communications, PwC and EY.
He advises IIFMites to give time to field based learning and allow time to firm up their interests. Exposure to multiple domains would help them to build persepctive and eventually choose what they want to focus on.
Location: Delhi NCR
Q. Tell us about your School and College before you came to IIFM. How was your experience there? And how did IIFM happen?
A. I did my 12th in science, because in a family full of engineers, that was practically the default setting. My mother, ever the optimist, was convinced I could ace both Engineering and Medicine, so I got the enviable combination of studying PCMB till 12th. The reality check came soon enough when I failed to crack either the engineering or medical entrance exams (yes, I appeared for both examinations). Left with no Plan A, I enrolled in Economics at Delhi University.
I fell in love with Economics. But I still didn’t fall in love with scoring marks. I wanted to pursue a master’s in it, but under family pressure, I took CAT, because apparently, in Indian households, “MBA” is considered a safer bet than “MA.” I even tried to hide my IIFM interview call letter, as I was still dreaming of DSE or JNU. Unfortunately, my cousin discovered it and, with my mother, who always believed MBA > MA, I was asked to appear for the interview!!
That’s how I found myself one scorching afternoon at Madhuram Circle, in a borrowed blazer and tie, drenched in sweat trying to find my way to IIFM. I was told the college was on a hilltop. Just as I was trying to find a ride (the habitation in those days ended at the Madhuram circle), a loading auto stopped. When I told him that I was going to IIFM for my interview and was trying to find a ride, he offered immediate help. I was asked to hop on. Since the front seat was already taken with his co-pilot seated next to him, I ended up in the back, standing on a metal deck so hot it could have fried an omelette. And thus, I made my grand entrance at IIFM- riding through its gates in the back of a loading auto, hopping from one foot to another :)!
Once admitted to IIFM, the loading auto became my ride to the old city, especially after I took on the highly prestigious role of Mess Secretary. (If anything can test leadership skills early, it’s negotiating if we could serve fish instead of chicken with Arun Bhaiya and Chandu Bhaiya).
My interview panel comprised of IIFM stalwarts – Pethia Sir, B.R. Mehta Sir, Suprava Patnaik Ma’am, and Rekha Singhal Ma’am. Since I got admitted to the course, that also meant I could not appear for my MA entrance exams, and with it, my carefully laid plans of pursuing Economics came to an end.
In hindsight, I don’t regret it one bit. The detour turned out to be the main road.
Q. How has your journey from IIFM been so far?
A. I chose to go with the flow and never planned too far ahead. Whenever I felt I wasn’t enjoying my work, I would explore new opportunities and change my path. IIFM gave me more than a degree, it gave me the courage to experiment, fail, and start over.
If anything, my journey has taught me that careers are rarely straight highways. They’re more like the IIFM hill road – winding, full of surprises, sometimes testing your patience, but ultimately leading to a rewarding and beautiful destination.
I joined IIFM fresh out of college, with my BA Economics (H) 3rd-year results still “pending.”
The first few weeks were sleepless—not because of case studies or hostel life—but because I was terrified that if I flunked, I’d have to quit the course midway and forever be remembered as “the guy who enrolled and flunked his bachelors.” Thankfully, destiny (and I am sure that examiner’s generosity) saved me, and I could continue and complete my course at IIFM.
My career began with a PSU, Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL), I used the abbreviation more often among relatives to skirt any follow-up questions. From there, I moved to EKLAVYA/Samavesh, Aide et Action, and a few gigs with research organisations. Those years gave me exposure to grassroots development issues, lessons that continue to shape my work even today.
Consulting came later in life—Crown Agents gave me a taste of advisory services in true sense, and Sambodhi taught me the rigor and effort required in developing business. After 12 years in the development sector, I finally joined PwC, making me what you might call a “late bloomer in consulting.” Eight years at PwC (the longest I’ve ever stayed anywhere) toughened me up for the world of client slides, endless reviews, and coffee-driven deadlines.
Now, I’ve been with EY for over three years, and counting. Looking back, the journey has been anything but linear—more like a case study in career pivots. But if there’s one thing IIFM taught me, it’s that resilience (and a dash of humor) can get you through just about anything.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. I think my learning has been to be resilient and to eventually see the lighter side in any challenge that I have been faced with.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. The most satisfying part in my career was/is the opportunity to bring about change in the lives of people, at the same time learning all the time.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. I have always felt that IIFM is unique because it didn’t limit learning to academic rigor alone. The field visits and the two organizational trainings(now called Summer Internship & Winter Internship) were invaluable in preparing us for the real world of work teaching us how to navigate ambiguity, engage with diverse stakeholders, and apply theory in practice. Those experiences shaped the way I approach professional roles even today, blending structured analysis with on-ground realities.
Q. What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles.
A. My advice would be to treat your career less like a pre-drawn blueprint and more like a learning journey. Don’t worry if your first role isn’t perfect, focus on the exposure it gives you and the skills you can build. In sectors like development and consulting, adaptability, curiosity, and patience matter as much as technical knowledge.
Be open to experimenting, even if it means a few detours, because often, those detours end up shaping your path in the most meaningful ways. And most importantly, carry forward the IIFM spirit of combining academic rigor with ground-level understanding, it’s what will set you apart wherever you go.
Q. Did you ever think about going for higher studies post IIFM?
A. “Study well at IIFM, so you don’t have to repeat your master’s!”
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. We used to have our own version of Ashes on the campus. It was very competitive cricket being played. Movies, volleyball games and 29 championships.
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. I think Alumni network and friends have been the biggest contributors.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. Many friends. I think we were a large group of seniors and juniors who stayed together and are still in touch.
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 would be simple, treat your two years at IIFM as much more than just a classroom experience. The institute is unique because learning happens everywhere: in lectures, during field visits and in the hostel corridors.
Build strong friendships; they will outlast grades and assignments. And most importantly, use these two years to discover not just what you want to do, but also how you want to approach life and work.
In short, don’t just pass through IIFM, let IIFM pass through you.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. This has evolved. Now weekends largely go watching TV or meeting family. But I used to cook as well at some point in time.
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 would like to see more enterprises coming out of IIFM. I would like to run an incubation support programme for students & alumni and also help create a fund which could be used to help IIFMites with seed funding.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? When was the last time you visited IIFM?
A. The batch size has gone up considerably. The institute seems to be more academically aligned and see students busy with lectures.
I came to IIFM about a month back to see the campus. Didn’t meet any student or faculty just a quite visit to the campus and back.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. I feel we should have diversity. This should not be about professional success, this should be about what IIFMites do – a homemaker, a care giver or a full-time mother etc. should also come on the forum to share their stories and views.
I recommend – Abhilash Chandran, Brijesh Singh Bhadoria, Amol Bhalerao, Tarun Mapara, Sabitra Kundu, Inderjeet Chaudhary, Hemant Joshi, Avinav Kumar, Amit Vatsyayan, Gitesh Gunjan, Jayant Prakash, Soopriti Lal, Regina Hansda, Reena Gupta, Amit Bajaj, Aamir Khurshid, Saurabh Gautam, Vijay Prasad Kesari, Jimmy Kumar, Rakesh Soami, Ashwani Singh, Harisharan Luintel (the list is long), ……
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