Career Journey: Ankita Shah

What were some of the factors that led you to pursue your career at Deloitte?

I've always had an interest in programming, and my analytical bent of mind drew me towards an engineering degree in Information Technology (IT). After working as a software developer for a few years, I wanted to upgrade my skill set and study management. An MBA in IT Operations and Strategy provided the business outlook I required.

Once I completed my MBA, I was confident that a career in technology consulting would help me make the most of my education and work experience. I wanted to be part of the Big 4, gain international business skills and experience while doing challenging, meaningful work. Upon consulting some seniors and alumni, Deloitte became my dream company for all the above reasons. This decision led me to join Deloitte, little more than 6 years ago as a B-school campus hire.

Tell us about your career path at Deloitte (How long have you worked for Deloitte, how has your career evolved?)

I’m always on a quest to learn something new or challenge myself in new ways. When I started my career as a business analyst 7 years ago, I had the opportunity to work with global clients from the US, UK and Japan. This experience helped me hone essential skills such as critical thinking and dealing with ambiguous situations.

After a few years, I got an exposure to the Agile methodology of project management, which immediately resonated with my working style. Rapid and continuous delivery came naturally to me, and I enjoyed playing a Scrum Master's role on multiple projects.

Some of the most memorable times of my journey with Deloitte so far have been during my on-site roles in the US and London. These challenging roles taught me that transparency and communication are the foundation on which strong client relationships are built on.

Currently, I am enjoying my role as a Project Delivery Manager based in India. The role enables me to build large cross-functional teams that efficiently deliver client solutions. In addition, I stay close to the business process and application design, couple of areas I am passionate about.

In your own words, how would you describe Deloitte's distinctive culture?

Deloitte's culture is inclusive and diverse. It is an inspiring place to work, learn and grow.
As a woman practitioner, I've never experienced a single instance of unconscious bias during my numerous interactions with colleagues and leaders. I've always seen a conscious effort from all the leaders to create an equal and inclusive environment.

Deloitte consistently puts your well-being and priorities above everything else. The various initiatives within the organization that supports and guides practitioners in their journeys have been especially helpful during the pandemic.

What is one of the most memorable moments in your career at Deloitte so far?

As a project manager, every “project go-live” is a memorable moment. In simple terms, “go-live” is the final reveal after months of hard work and excitement, and that makes it so unforgettable.

But if you ask me to choose, it will be the one when I was in London for an on-site assignment. It was a particularly challenging assignment, with a complicated business problem, a highly ambitious client, a complex technology landscape, and a different country with a junior team.

But as they say, challenging situations make for the best memories. I am glad I took the plunge and today I have so many stories to tell about how I tackled the challenges and made an impact that mattered.

How do you describe what you do at Deloitte to friends and family?

I don't get into the technical details of what I do but give them just a gist of the business problem or the project I'm trying to solve. For example, I tell them that I am helping clients build an application that would help them in selling their products and closing deals efficiently. This helps my family and friends understand the work I do and appreciate the fact that I lead a team of amazing people that I enjoy working with very much.

What has been the most interesting or surprising about working for Deloitte?

I am a person who likes to try new things and tends to get bored with mundane activities. I think what surprises me is that there has never been an ordinary moment at Deloitte. I have always had opportunities to switch technologies, roles, or projects to keep my career trajectory interesting which helps me grow as a professional.

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