How Apeejay School prepared Amay Kataria for success

He has had some of the best times of his life at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park (formerly called Sheikh Sarai). It was his second home, where he spent most of his day and met some of his closest friends. Some of his favorite subjects that shaped him intellectually were Computer Science, Chemistry, and Physics.

Meet Amay Kataria, a Computer Engineer turned artist, who at present lives in the US. “From the beginning, I was an outgoing student who was more interested in extracurricular activities than academics. During my time there, I was the captain of the badminton team, vice-president of the Forum of Radical Computer Experts (FORCE), played guitar for the instrumental group, and was also part of the winning team that participated in the inaugural Future Cities competition in India,” Kataria said.

In a candid interview the artist, who holds a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, US, talks about his journey.

Tell us about your school days.

In Class XI, from 2006-2007, I participated in Future Cities, a national competition organised by Bentley Systems in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology. Together with my team members Ish Goel, Udit Mahajan, and Ankit Gulliya, we proposed improvements to the Games Village site near Akshardham Temple. With specialised training from Bentley Systems, we created bespoke 3D animations of the improved architecture and built a physical model of our proposal. Our team won the first prize. As a result, the Ministry of Science and Technology offered to fully sponsor our trip to represent India at the Future Cities competition during National Engineers Week in Washington DC in 2007.

Teachers who guided you.

 My experience at Apeejay would have been incomplete without the contribution and guidance of my teachers. Neeta Hansukha stood as a pillar of support during the Future Cities competition and facilitated my application to colleges in the US. Neeta Mathur’s warmth and patience enthralled my interest in literature, while Anuradha Sen, the epitome of discipline, sparked my love for Chemistry. Vinay Dubey inspired me to delve deeper into nature and the laws of Physics, and Mukta Amba taught me the essence of leadership while laying the groundwork for my pursuit of Computer Science.

How and why did you choose to study in the US?

After winning the Future Cities competition in India, my team and I participated in National Engineers Week in Washington DC, and were invited by George Washington University to visit their campus. I was impressed by their curriculum and facilities. However, I was also interested in studying Physics and got admitted to The Hindu College. Ultimately, I decided to come to the US, where I could design my curriculum with greater flexibility. Since then, I have not looked back.

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Leaving a high-paying job at an amazing company like Microsoft was particularly challenging. However, I consider myself privileged and fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore this side of my personality over the past six years. Don’t let others discourage you from pursuing what you want to do

–Amay Kataria, a Computer Engineer turned artist & alumnus of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park

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How has your journey been in the US?

Leaving my family, friends, and culture behind to start a new life was not easy 15 years back. I came here at a young age with one goal in mind — to receive a good education. During my undergraduate studies, I became highly focused. This was a complete transformation from my time at Apeejay. My parents had taken a student loan to send me abroad, and I had to prove myself at every step. Fortunately, my hard work paid off, and I graduated at the top of my class. I then landed a job at Microsoft, consequently living the American Dream and making my parents proud.

Everyone says that life is not easy abroad. Your take

When you’re far away from home, loneliness, emptiness, and all sorts of distractions can find you. There’s nobody to check on you or question your independence. You must take charge of your life and create your path. This is not easy and can lead to early maturity among people who live abroad. The baggage of responsibility is heavy. Coming abroad forces you to grow up. Additionally, you have to feed yourself and do your laundry. Maybe that’s why people find this life hard.

Advise students who want to pursue higher education in the US.

 If you are considering studying in the US, do it because you are serious about the quality of your higher education. Don’t do it just because your friends, cousins, or other family members are doing it. Do it because you care about who you will be five years from now and the kind of exposure you will gain by pursuing a career abroad. Do it because you care about yourself and your ability to support your family in the future.

How did studying at Apeejay shape your career?

Apeejay provided me with an environment that fostered leadership, creativity, and intellectual thinking. I was able to learn, implement, and grow through both successes and failures. For instance, my love for 3D animation and the arts began forming at the age of 16 when I was brainstorming new architecture for the Future Cities competition with my teammates in the computer lab. Likewise, my lifelong interest in music grew from jamming with friends on the guitar in the instrumental lab or auditorium. Finally, my leadership skills today were planted while planning the annual FORCE Festival.

What are some of the learning at Apeejay that are still a part of you?

The motto of our school, Soaring High is my Nature, was drilled into our subconscious by repeating every morning during assembly. At the time, it felt painful and pointless. However, it has left traces in my mind and repeatedly inspires me to pursue a character of strength, equanimity, and excellence.

You did Computer Engineering. Why take up art?

In 2015, I attended an art festival called Burning Man in the Nevada desert. I was invited by a few friends to help create an art installation called the Chapel of Meditation. After a week filled with adventure, creativity, self-expression, and interactive art installations, I felt a profound change in my psychology. That experience became the turning point in my career.

Was it tough to leave a job and become self-employed?

Change is always difficult. Leaving a high-paying job at an amazing company like Microsoft was particularly challenging. However, I consider myself privileged and fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore this side of my personality over the past six years. Don’t let others discourage you from pursuing what you want to do.

If students want to contact you… To know more about my creative practice, check out my website (https://amaykataria.com). If you have any questions or want to reach out, email me at [email protected] or follow me on Instagram (https://instagram.com/amay.kataria).