‘Set a 2-3 years goal and keep refining that at the beginning of each year’

After completing his schooling from Apeejay Panchsheel Park, Shantanu Dasgupta went to Delhi College of Engineering to pursue his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. The Apeejay alumnus has also completed his management education from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.  Currently, Shantanu is working as the Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a leading player in management consulting. At BCG, his work entails advising clients on multiple topics across sales transformation, cost reduction, organisation restructuring and so on. Before joining Boston Consulting Group, he has also worked with top FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) companies in India as well as in the Middle East. In an interview, Shantanu remembers how he found the right guidance and began to enjoy academics at his school. He further advises students to value academic progression but not make it an obsession. Edited excerpts: 

What was the inspiration to join the field of management consulting?

It is a very interesting space as it offers a unique exposure to work with CXOs across companies on a wide array of problems. The job never gets boring as one moves from one project to another. It also offers the perks of travelling to so many places.

Please take us down the memory lane by sharing some of the best memories from your school days?

School as for everyone has been one of the best phases of my life. I really enjoyed the sports infrastructure at school and loved playing cricket every morning. My most memorable moment was leading my house cricket team to victory, which at that time was a very proud moment.

What advice would you give to a current student at the school?

Do not de-prioritize your studies but don’t let that be the sole focus in life as well. School gives you the opportunity to nurture multiple soft and hard skills which become really important in the later years of life. I would suggest that you have a two-three year goal on what you want to do and keep refining that at the beginning of each year.

How did Apeejay Panchsheel Park help you to become who you are today?

Apeejay Sheikh Sarai as we used to call it back then, transformed my trajectory. Before joining the school, I was a mediocre student typically in the bottom quintile of the class. However, the school created the right balance of study and fun which made academics interesting and competitive for me. The teachers and classmates all helped in shaping me. I am truly grateful to the school. 

What are your future targets?

I no longer plan for five to ten years ahead on the career front. It is better to take one step at a time and just plan for the next 1-2 years rather than chasing things so far ahead in the future.