The Start of My Professional Journey
When people ask me where my professional journey truly began, I always go back to my time at Tata Infotech. Between 1995 and 2001, I had the opportunity to work as a Networking Incharge, and that role shaped not only my career but also my approach to work, leadership, and learning. My name is Amit Kakkar, and I consider those six years at Tata Infotech the foundation of everything I have built since.
In the mid-90s, India’s tech industry was growing rapidly. Tata Infotech was one of the companies leading that growth, and being part of that environment at such an early stage in my career was both exciting and transformative.
Understanding the Role: Networking Incharge
At Tata Infotech, my primary responsibility was to ensure that the organization’s IT network ran smoothly and efficiently. As the Networking Incharge, I was responsible for configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting systems. This included managing servers, overseeing LAN/WAN operations, and ensuring cybersecurity protocols were in place.
It might sound technical—and it certainly was—but what stood out to me most during that time were the soft skills I developed alongside the technical ones. Every challenge came with an opportunity to grow, not just as a professional but as a person.
Key Lessons That Shaped My Career
Lesson 1: Problem-Solving Is a Daily Habit
One of the biggest lessons I learned at Tata Infotech was that problem-solving is not a skill you use once in a while—it’s a daily habit. Networks are complex systems, and even a small error can impact the entire operation. I had to train myself to think calmly, logically, and quickly. This habit of structured problem-solving later became a key strength in my consulting work.
Whether I’m helping a student prepare for an overseas application or advising a client on a real estate decision, the problem-solving approach I developed during my years in IT remains central to how I operate.
Lesson 2: Communication Is Just as Important as Technical Knowledge
As a Networking Incharge, I often had to work with people who didn’t have a technical background—managers, colleagues in different departments, or clients. I had to explain technical issues in simple terms and collaborate on solutions. This taught me the value of clear, concise communication.
Later in life, as Amit Kakkar the consultant, I would rely heavily on this ability to break down complex topics and deliver guidance in a language my clients could understand.
Lesson 3: Take Responsibility, Even When It’s Hard
In a networking role, if something goes wrong—servers crash, emails stop working, or systems go down—the pressure is intense. During my time at Tata Infotech, I learned to take full responsibility for outcomes, good or bad. There’s no room for excuses when people are depending on you.
This mindset helped me greatly when I transitioned into running my own consultancy. Owning the outcome, being accountable, and maintaining trust with clients have all stemmed from the culture of responsibility I absorbed early in my career.
Lesson 4: Technology Evolves—So Should You
Working at a tech company during the 90s meant constantly adapting to new tools and systems. The speed at which technology changed was incredible, and I had to stay updated through courses, reading, and hands-on experimentation. This early exposure to lifelong learning became a key part of my identity.
Today, whether I’m advising on international education, immigration, healthcare, or real estate, I’m constantly learning. The world changes fast—and thanks to my experience at Tata Infotech, I’m comfortable keeping pace.
The Bigger Picture: A Foundation for the Future
Looking back, my time at Tata Infotech didn’t just teach me how to manage networks—it taught me how to manage challenges, relationships, and change. These lessons would serve me well as I moved on to become an Oracle Database Administrator, then an award-winning education consultant, and eventually a multi-industry freelancer with over two decades of experience.
Tata Infotech was more than my first job. It was my training ground. It was where I first experienced the power of teamwork, the importance of precision, and the reward of perseverance.
Applying Early Lessons to Modern Consulting
Today, my work spans multiple sectors, from immigration to real estate to healthcare. In each of these fields, I apply the core values I learned early on:
- Staying calm under pressure
- Solving problems with logic and empathy
- Communicating clearly and with purpose
- Taking responsibility for client outcomes
- Constantly learning and evolving
These aren’t just lessons—they’re the principles that drive me every day as Amit Kakkar the professional.
Final Thoughts
Every career has a starting point. Mine began in the halls of Tata Infotech, among servers, cables, and long nights of troubleshooting. It was there that I learned what it means to be dependable, focused, and solution-oriented.
I often tell young professionals: never underestimate the value of your first job. It may not be glamorous, but it teaches you what no textbook ever can. For me, the foundation laid between 1995 and 2001 still supports everything I do today.
If you’re just starting your journey, embrace every challenge and every responsibility. You never know where it might take you.
