Today we’d like to introduce you to Avishek Ganguly.
Avishek, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story begins in Connecticut three years ago when I quit my job and I had to make a decision about which career path to take. In university, I had changed my major over five times ranging from Chemical Engineering all the way to Economics. This same trend continued in my jobs. I was working as an insurance agent for a local firm and I wasn’t satisfied. So I quit my job with no savings, stayed home, and locked myself in my bedroom and learned computer science (a subject I had no professional training or education in at all). I went through all these changes because my goal was to meet my parent’s expectations. I had never told them that photography, music composition and directing was my true passion.
Once I learned Cloud Computing, I put my resume in the market and there was availability in a small tech corridor of Atlanta. The company was called VDart. I had never heard of them. VDart is a digital technology and smart staffing firm. At the time, I had zero relevant work experience, zero-project experience, and zero educational background that would support my success at the company. However, the company decided to take a risk and give me a chance.
Within the first year, I learned digital solution selling and had a good grasp of creating Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain solutions. I would say my performance was average considering I was still a novice in the industry. I would be in real-life discussions with major Fortune 500 companies discussing ideas about how to change the world and impact a billion lives. Though I was successful based on my parent’s criteria, inside, I was not content.
Then one day at work, an organization called the Georgia Minority Supplier Diversity Council (GMSDC) requested VDart to create a 2-minute promotional video highlight the vision, mission, and purpose of the organization for marketing purposes. At the time, our marketing team was occupied. I asked my supervisor if the company would purchase for me a $300 dollar camera and a $50 video editing software. I used both of them to make a promotional video. I used my home studio to make the music and master the final version. The next day I submitted the video to GMSDC.
The ripple effect that followed was something I would have never imagined. People from such large companies were calling us because they had never seen a video so moving and thought-provoking, unlike other corporate videos. To me, it was just a home video I made and at the time, I thought it was a hobby. Just a one and done type of deal.
Little did I know that months later, I would become the lead for the organization’s marketing department, managing social media content, various films and graphic arts. I went from being an educated economist to a novice engineer/salesperson to becoming a director/producer/working musician. My dreams turned into my occupation. Today I wake up every morning with excitement to get to work. I don’t even consider it work anymore.
I’m sharing this story because it didn’t happen overnight. It took over eight years. I’m 27 now. This is a story of patience and perseverance.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would be lying to you if I told you I planned all this out and it was easy. There were times I questioned my trajectory. I questioned my dreams and their validity. I questioned my identity at times and was ready to conform to what my parents had intended for me. There were three specific moments in my life that I call milestones today, but at the time they were obstacles.
The first obstacle was sacrificing my free time and social life and quite literally locking myself in my room from the age of 24 to 25 and purely studying computer science as if it was my only option. At that age, I did think it was my only option because that’s what my peers had studied and landed “successful” jobs. It’s not easy to look away from social media and see all your friends having fun at midnight on a Saturday while you are on your 3rd textbook self-learning something your not passionate about.
The second obstacle was leaving my home, my parents, my friends, the town I grew up in, my comfort zone and jumping into a new land, and seeing new faces. I felt like a bird truly flying away from the nest for the first time. Not only did I have to learn how to live in Atlanta, but I had to learn about southern culture and adjust. I had to learn about the technology industry, which I had no knowledge of. While doing all this, I had to keep up with my coworker’s performance because I knew this is an opportunity people rarely receive. Therefore it was my duty to push myself and give that extra degree of effort.
The last obstacle was facing my own mind. As a person who suffers with high levels of anxiety, more than the world, I was my own critic and I still am! I feel as though it’s my responsibility to be tough on myself because if anyone from my work life or personal life makes a criticism, it means he or she isn’t the only one who thinks like that. It means it’s too late. Sorry to sound so brutal but that’s the type of upbringing I had. And I like to use it to my advantage.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the VDart story. Tell us more about your work.
VDart is a global, emerging technology workforce solutions provider. The firm has deep industry expertise and a focus in BFSI, Manufacturing, Energy & Utility, Healthcare and Technology sector. With the organization’s core focus in emerging technologies, we have provided global technology workforce solutions in USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Australia & India. Our technology division provides solutions to several Fortune 500 companies in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Intelligent Automation, Cloud Computing, Mobile Apps, and Internet of Things.
It brings me pure joy and confidence to say that what I am most proud of is the number of lives I’m able to impact by working here. We have created over 20,000+ jobs in 10 years. We have over 2500+ employees globally, but we behave like one big family. Our vision is to touch the lives of others, to create success wealth and enhance the quality of life. I specialize in marketing and branding for the organization. I don’t know if there’s something that sets me apart from the others. The way I look at it, everyone around me are my teachers and my mentors.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The world of digital staffing and digital technology is changing rapidly. I think one of the biggest changes that we might see in the next five years is the disappearance of resumes. I know it sounds crazy, but in the digital world we live in, it’s very old fashioned to submit a resume to apply for a job. Our recruiters are more focused on meeting people on Linkedin than going through a 1000 resumes.
The next biggest change we’ll see, specifically in the city of Atlanta, is smart city innovations. AT&T is already making great strides in the Internet of Things for the public. EY is doing amazing work in advancing robotic process automation. At VDart, we’ve made a breakthrough in Blockchain technology, which we believe is ready for citywide adoption. Smart city solutions will be the immediate change the people of Atlanta will see. Smart city solutions include autonomous vehicles that are already being tested at Georgia Tech as we speak. It also includes smart lighting for poorly lit areas of Atlanta to reduce crime. These are just a few examples. There’s way more to come. I could go through some more concepts, but you’ll see them on the news soon enough.
Contact Info:
- Address: 11180 STATE BRIDGE ROAD
SUITE #302 - Phone: 2035868201
- Email: avishek.g@vdartinc.com
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avganguly/
Image Credit:
Images were taken by Delta Airlines HQ
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