With 18 years of expertise in Employer Branding and Marketing Communications, Shyamanta (Sam) Baruah is dedicated to infusing brands with a human touch through storytelling and strategic messaging. Currently leading the Employer Branding and Communications efforts at Delta Air Lines’ Technology Hub in India, Sam excels in recruitment marketing, social media, community engagement, and corporate communication.
Having collaborated with global giants like Zensar, Société Générale, Deloitte, NatWest Group, and Fidelity, Sam’s contributions have been instrumental in employer branding, external communications, PR, event management, and recruitment marketing.
Sam’s commitment to continuous learning shines through his achievements from prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow and Great Lakes Institute of Management.
We’ll explore Sam’s profound knowledge and extensive experience in the realm of Employer Branding and Marketing Communications in this fun interview!
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started in your field?
I am an Employer Branding and Communications professional with 18+ years of experience. I am fortunate to work with some of the biggest global brands such as Deloitte, Societe Generale, Fidelity, and NatWest.
In addition, I’ve also worked with a start-up and a non-profit.
I started my career in consulting where I was responsible for understanding client requirements and then working with the teams to create solutions. During the initial years, I learned about the importance of branding and got quite good at brand storytelling which helped me to transition to my current field of work.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Growing up, I didn’t really have any access to career guidance.
So, my choice of education was a bit random. It took me some time to discover what I am good at and it really didn’t have anything with what I learned at school.
So, I had to work hard to pick up new skills to be relevant to my job. I pursued several additional courses in addition to my full-time job so that I could stay at the top of my game.
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career, and how have they influenced your approach to leadership?
You shouldn’t be too quick to judge success and failure. A failure at the sort run might turn out to be a catalyst for success in the long run.
When I was graduating from college, I was doing an internship, as a part of the course. I got really great feedback from the team and I was sure that they would offer me a full-time position. However, for some reason, they went with someone else.
I was of course devastated at that time. However, looking back I can say with confidence that it happened for good. I got a job with another company which put me on a very different career trajectory, which I feel is more in line with my personality.
One thing that people don’t know about you and are not listed on your LinkedIn profile?
I didn’t know how to speak English till the age of 18, which comes as a surprise to many, since I am now a brand communications professional 🙂
What advice would you give young professionals or entrepreneurs just starting out in your field?
We are in the midst of a business environment that’s changing at a rapid pace. The only way to keep us is to reinvent ourselves continuously.
Don’t be content with what you already know. Don’t just depend on your employer to upgrade you professionally.
Instead, seek learning opportunities in everything you do. Make it a habit and become a lifelong learner.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Shyamanta (Sam) Baruah, an esteemed Employer Branding and Communications professional with over 18 years of invaluable experience. His journey, from working with global giants to start-ups and non-profits, is a testament to his unwavering commitment to personal growth and professional excellence.
Sam’s inspiring insights have illuminated the importance of continuous learning, resilience in the face of challenges, and embracing the unexpected twists in one’s career journey. His candid revelation about not knowing English until the age of 18 adds a delightful twist to his accomplished career in brand communications.
For young professionals and entrepreneurs, Sam’s advice to become lifelong learners resonates deeply, emphasizing the need to adapt and reinvent oneself in our ever-evolving business landscape.
Thank you, Sam, for sharing your wisdom and experiences with us. Your journey is an inspiration, and we are grateful for your time and insights!
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