‘The connection you share with your friends from school is unbreakable’

After completing his high school education from Apeejay School Noida, Sarthak Pandey, enrolled in University of Delhi where he did his BA (H) Economics. In college he was a topper in multiple subjects all through his graduation years. In 2018, after working in the corporate sector for three years, he decided to pursue an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Indian School of Business.

Today, Pandey is working with a tech company – BrowserStack – a software testing platform powering over two million tests every day across 19 global data centers. “I work with the EVP’s office as a lead strategist. I have worked in technology (SaaS) and the media industry. Over the years, I have acquired skills in corporate and go-to-market strategy including growth planning, competitive research and analysis.

In an impromptu interview, Pandey talks about how he balances his work-life and why school friends are for life.

What is a typical day for you?

I am at present, working remotely, which means I am located in Noida. However, it also means that my laptop is practically glued to me for 15 hours a day. My job is high-intensity due to our aggressive growth plans for the next couple of years. Additionally, given my position in the company, I need to stay connected with the team and other members of the organisation.

Tell us about your school days.

I joined Apeejay School, Noida when I was in nursery and studied there until I completed my education in 2012. Up until class IX-X, I was a good student but very quiet. Of course, I maintained good academic performance throughout. However, in class XI, I suddenly caught the leadership bug and decided to run for vice-head boy. I won that position, and in class XII, I became the head boy. I also played basketball for the school and represented the state level twice.

Do you still play?

Yes, I still play, but not very regularly. Occasionally, when all of us (school friends) get together, we throw a few baskets. However, I have become more of a runner now and go for regular runs.

Can you share some fond memories from school?

I have so many fond memories, but most of them are associated with my friends. So, it’s tough to pinpoint one specific memory that stands out. I do have fond memories of certain teachers like Malay sir, who unfortunately is no longer with us. Then there was Pinky ma’am, who was my class teacher for a couple of years, and Supriya ma’am, who was the vice-principal at that time. They all played a role in my life.

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My advice to young professionals would be to maximise their learning opportunities without going overboard. While you don’t have to bend backward, it’s important for newcomers to absorb as much knowledge as possible

–Sarthak Pandey, Alumnus of Apeejay School, Noida

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How do you balance work-life?

I do get weekends off, and on those days, I try to stay away from the laptop as much as possible. Additionally, I have recently started taking frequent breaks every four to five months to myself. These breaks help to alleviate the otherwise heavy workload.

What advice would you like to give to those entering the corporate sector?

First, while I work long hours, this is not the norm in the industry. Even within the company, the hours you keep depend on the role and responsibilities you have been given. When you have high visibility and work on high-impact projects, your hours may be stretched.

My advice to young professionals would be to maximise their learning opportunities without going overboard. While you don’t have to bend backward, it’s important for newcomers to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Choose projects that align with your interests and go above and beyond in your work on them.

School friends are for life. Do you agree?

Definitely. I have six or seven friends whom I grew up with, and we consider ourselves like family. We played basketball together, shared the locker room, and enjoyed many memorable moments in school. Despite attending different colleges, we still stay in touch and meet up a couple of times a week for coffee or to catch up on each other’s lives.

The bond formed with school friends is strong because you have grown up together and know each other thoroughly. After knowing someone for 10-12 years and experiencing the little intricacies of their lives, the connection you develop during your youth is unbreakable.