With over 19 years in the data, analytics, and insights industry, my career began as a market researcher at Kantar. Continuing at Genpact, I’ve worked with diverse data sets, helping clients enhance their products and services for improved customer experiences.
Currently, as Chief of Staff to senior leadership, I focus on developing partner relationships.
Location: Bengaluru, India
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonali-wasan-bbbbaa17
Q. Tell us about your College before you came to IIFM. And how did IIFM happen?
A. I completed Economics (H) from Delhi University and wanted to pursue MBA. I got interview calls from several colleges, but it was the moment I entered IIFM that biased me towards the green haven. I have always been a nature lover and being here made me feel at home.
Q. What were some of the key learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A.
- Don’t fear change and learn to go with the flow- Careers are never linear paths, but jumbled sets of experiences and opportunities. Several times in my career I got offered opportunities and I never rejected them.
- I remember joining back after my maternity leave, I had no significant role. And suddenly an opportunity of managing contact center analytics for a client, came up. A few things to fear were: I had absolutely no clue of what contact center analytics meant, I got to know that three previous managers had left the company because of the aggressive client, the team was absolutely disorganized and had to work late nights on a regular basis. Being a new mother, this was not my cup of tea! But I decided to take it up and learn through success or failure, whatever the role brought with it. Incidentally it was a big success and paved the way for my future growth.
- Growth is not always vertical. Be open to horizontal growth. Learn to take opportunities which allow you to learn new skills.
- Be curious, be a learner- whether it’s an excel formula, a new AI tool or managing a tricky client, learning can come in different forms. Make it a point to learn something new every day.
- It’s not 100% fun always-You will have to slog it out and do admin work or work that you detest. Atleast 20 percent of your work routine is boring or undesirable. Learn to make it fun- I normally keep that 20 percent time to enjoy music along with that work. It makes it more tolerable 🙂
Microsoft conference@San Francisco
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas have you been working here?
A. My current role is holistic, ambiguous and uncertain as I work mostly with senior leadership. I am a part of strategy building, to financial reporting to making sure the strategy gets executed. I love the role as I get to see the end result 🙂
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. Most satisfying part of my job is to help clients and my team members grow. When data points you to a unique insight, it gives me a high!
Q. What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. Keep yourself abreast with happening around the world of technology and business- these impact all sectors of the economy.
Create your LinkedIn profile and start building your brand- start posting, start networking and reaching out to people.
Have lots of fun, as these days will never come back.
Q. You have spent almost 2 decades in the Data-Analytics sector now, kindly advise how one can plan, work and make a career here.
A. The data analytics sector is drastically changing with the augment of AI. So the journey I traversed might not be a very good guide for students today. But one thing that will always be needed in the data and analytics world or for that matter in any knowledge industry is “curiosity”. The more you read, the better you are able to connect dots, better questions you are able to come up with, is what will govern your value in the future is what I believe.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Evening strategy and marketing classes followed by Maggi@Canteen!
Our field trip to another state. We worked with an NGO and just being in another State and managing stuff yourself, was a great experience.
Long walks in the mornings and evenings in our amazingly beautiful campus with leaves providing you shade or a carpet, depending on the season 🙂
Q. How about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. My weekends are generally spent with my family and friends and books. I also love writing short stories and poems during holidays.
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. Students can reach out to me for any advice regarding career and will do my best.