Sanjay started his career with Nepal Forest Service as a Forest officer before joining IIFM. He got selected by Aditya Birla Group as a Planning Manager under the Green Project in Lao, PDR. He had a good long 12 year cross-cultural experience in liaising and plantation inventory with ABG. He also got engaged in Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Land Management during his tenure.
Since 2019 he has been working with Mekong Timber Forest Company (Under New Forest Asia Fund) as Head of Marketing and Business Development (Domestic & International) in Lao, PDR.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaysah/
Email: [email protected]
Insta: Sanjay prasad sah
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. The journey from IIFM has been exhilarating to say the least. It all started in 2005 when i reached IIFM from Nepal. The 2 years at IIFM was like a joy ride which made me learn many things and also made my career and life ahead.
I got placed in Aditya Birla Group for a Plantation project in Lao PDR. I joined as Assistant Manager and had a great time in a foreign country between all the challenges. I eventually exited the company as Assistant General Manager after a great 12 year tenure there.
I took up a new challenge in 2019 by joining Mekong Timber Plantation Company of New Forest Asia as the Marketing and Business development head and currently have a wonderful role here in Lao,PDR.
I have also settled permanently in Lao, PR for good after spending almost 16 years here as this is a fabulous place.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. I think every journey has few milestones but I will consider IIFM as the biggest of all because it enabled me to reach where I am today.
I have learned a lot in my 16 years at Lao, PDR post IIFM. I will put ‘Integrity’ above all as it gives an inherent confidence which nothing else can match. I always kept it with me, and I never compromised which was not so easy in a foreign land among a group of workers where everyone is different. I even faced a situation where the job was at stake but thankfully with God’s grace all got sorted and even the top management apologized to bring things back on track.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your career?
A. I have all my education in just one field Forestry/Greenfield so it is a pleasure to use all my learnings in taking up challenges regularly and finding the best solution. I love my work and look forward to it everyday which I guess is the most satisfying part after all these years.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped shape how you approach your professional roles?
A. Off course, it made me what I am today. I was a ‘fast young professional’ when I joined ABG, so all thanks to IIFM which enabled me to do justice to a very big role which came from campus placement. I would specially like to mention the importance of numerous assignments at IIFM which helped me a lot in reporting, presentations, and analysis.
Q. Who (or what) are your career’s most significant influences or drivers? What would you advise freshers and IIFM graduates looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. My driving factor is always ‘excellence’; i try to do my best every single day in my work to do justice to my Organization which trusts me blindly in handling all.
The new generation is very different from our time but if I have to give one single advise then it will be to give yourself completely to whatever you choose as your area of interest/career; do not hold back at all. No one succeeds without effort… Those who succeed owe their success to perseverance.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Birthday celebration for every single one of us in the lawn between the two hostels. The birthday bashes(the dreaded B’day bumps where few people used to come with special shoes!!) with special cake from ‘Bake-n-Shake‘ courtesy Tarique + Rishi which lasted all our time through a fixed contribution done by every member of the class which in itself was a task!!
The excitement of doing the assignment somehow at the last last moment and anyhow submit it just before the deadline given by our dear faculties!!
There are so many memories and each memory has so many stories that I can go on and on…. IIFM is magical!
Q. In hindsight, what was the enormous contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni, Anything else!!) or takeaway from IIFM that you think was critical in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. IIFM as an ecosystem is amazing…. It gives all kind of support that we need and almost everyone gets what we seek…
I will also like to thank my immediate senior- Mandar Sir for always guiding me in IIFM.
Prof. Amitabh Pandey Sir was always around to help and guide.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. Our 18th Batch is special for me so the memories will stay forever. I would like to specially mention my roomie Sharad and other friends- Rishi, Harsh, and Varuna.
Our batch has made an ‘annual ritual’ to visit IIFM during 15th August week every year since passing out in 2007 so hopefully I will also become a part of it and re-live our awesome days!
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those joining IIFM to get the best out of the two years there?
A. You made the best choice by coming to IIFM, infact, I will say lucky that you are there now. Make the most of your IIFM days as they play a critical role in our life. Try building good relationship with your seniors, classmates as well as juniors as it will stand the test of time.
Q. What was your typical day at work? And what does it look like while you are on a break?
A. Its actually very simple- monitor, evaluate, and follow up on my work by connecting with the larger team, and in between maintain the timing of my meals!
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family, and Anything else you want to add?
A. I love gardening, exercise, outing, and spending quality time with my family.
It is very important to maintain a work-life balance as sooner than later one realizes the importance and then regrets on missing it for years!
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. I like watching comedy movies 🙂 And my favourite is the veteran Kader Khan.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitment to its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, and students? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. I try my best to engage with IIFM’ites who seek a career in timber. I am happy to add that 4 of them even came to Lao, PDR; in fact, one has even settled here!!
The SI and Placement team can stay connected and will keep trying to look for engagement.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs. when you studied there?
A. The atmosphere has changed drastically from our times of a small batch size with approximately 40 people to the current times which also is a reflection on the growth of IIFM. Also the way of teaching has seen massive change with smart classrooms all over there.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Varun Agrawal from our 18th Batch.