हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए क्लिक करें
Learn from Sudeshna how important the role of college is in shaping your career…
Sudeshna Dutta- EVP & Co-founder, AbsoluteData
Deshna Dutta is EVP and co-founder of Absolutdata Analytics, a company that provides market research and advanced analytics to companies globally. Today, Grihashobha interviews her to share some advice for students transitioning from school to college: Have you ever had questions about your chosen career?
I wanted to study chemical engineering because my parents were scientists. Chemical engineering was akin to biochemistry or molecular biology, which my parents studied, and my brother became a professor in the same field. However, my inclination was more towards applied science, so I went into architecture. After some time there, I felt I needed to pursue something else, so I moved into structural engineering. But even there, I realized it wasn’t my field. From construction, I then moved on to an MBA.
How did your professional journey begin?
My first job was at Pfizer in New York City. I got a summer placement at Pfizer between my first and second year of my MBA, which then turned into a PPO. After a few years at Pfizer, I went to Kraft Foods in Chicago to work in brand management. I remember the market crash when we raised our first round of funding for Absolute Data. At that time, there were three of us who started Absolute Data: me and my two co-founders. We bootstrapped the organization, which over the years evolved into marketing analytics and AI. It was a tremendous learning experience. What started as three of us has now grown to a 500-person organization.
What are the reasons for the low number of women on HOD seats even today in the 21st century?
First, it’s about thinking. Today, even in professional fields, people’s thinking differs significantly on certain levels because their backgrounds are different, so are their thinking. Their values and focus are different. In our country, many places have very different values regarding men and women. Therefore, you can’t stand up to pressure in many places.
Secondly, even today, women bear the responsibility of the household. Yes, their status in the family has certainly increased with financial dependence. However, even today, the responsibility of managing the family, from feeding the children to preparing for the day, rests solely with the mother. Many women find themselves caught between these two and unable to move forward.
But times are much better now. Over the past 50 years, I’ve seen women emerge as prominent leaders in fields like science and sports. They’re renowned not only in India but globally.
Does a college play an important role in a career?
Yes, a college plays a huge role because you’re not just going to a college. You’ll be connecting with people who have similar subjects. There, you’ll be interacting with a wide range of students, faculty, the broader administration, perspectives, and all of that. So, make sure your thinking and values match those. Of course, it’s not always in your control. But do some research. You’ll need a good GPA. But you should also consider what you want to pursue.
And what are you getting from the institute.
What mistakes do students make while choosing a career?
The first is the herd mentality of “My friend is doing this, so I’ll do it too,” which is not right. Students should choose career options based on their abilities, preferences, and performance.
I’ll do that, that’s not right. For example, I took physics, and many other students think, “I want to be happy, I don’t like this, so I’ll take chemistry.” This isn’t right. Before taking chemistry, think about whether you really like it. Will you be able to fully pursue chemistry, and how much scope does it offer you if you pursue chemistry?
Third, students forget to live today, obsessing about tomorrow—“I want to be this, I want to do that.” Yes, it’s important that they think ahead, think five or ten years ahead, about what they like, what they enjoy doing, and what they can do to be happy in their future lives. But they also live today with a focus on tomorrow.Live what you can enjoy today.
What advice would you give to students when choosing a career?
First of all, you should pay attention to your values because these values remain with you throughout your life.
Secondly, what do you like to do and what is the depth of this liking.
Third, is there a better profession than this choice?
Can I make it? Will I be able to enjoy this work? Will it have value in the world? Also, talk to your role models or people who have knowledge about these things about your chosen subject or career, because I have seen many students choose their subject or career based on other students. But why? Think calmly for yourself once and whether that field is right for you.
Think deeply about whether it’s right to go there. Will you be able to do it? Is there future scope there? I’d also like to tell parents not to discriminate between boys and girls. Both are equal; both have potential. Girls should not take undue risks, like going out for a walk at midnight. Proceed in a calculated manner, and both should choose good role models.
Today’s social media industry makes it very difficult to choose the right role model. However, the flip side is that you have access to the entire world. If you apply your mind to it, you can go far.
Would you like to share some childhood memories?
Both my parents were scientists. When I was three, they brought me to India from New York. They then began working at JNU. I spent my childhood on the JNU campus, which was beautiful, peaceful, and filled with an educational atmosphere. My father would take me to events where Nobel laureates, scientists, and intellectuals would meet. I also loved movies, so we would go to see Amitabh Bachchan films.
– Rajni Prasad