Beyond the Badge: An Interview with Kislay Singh

Another week and another Beyond the Badge post. This week, I sat down with the one and only Kislay Singh, Engineering Manager here at fielddrive, and got to learn all about his career trajectory, what drives him as a techie, and his various hobbies.

So sit back and enjoy this deep dive into the making of an effective Engineering Manager in the events industry!

From Startups to fielddrive: Kislay's Journey

Sawan: Hey, Kislay, thank for doing this interview. I know you're a busy man, so I really appreciate this!

Kislay: No worries. Happy to be here!

Sawan: Alright. So, let's start with the most basic of questions: What can you tell us about yourself and your career trajectory?

Kislay: Okay. So, most of my experience has been with startups. Even in 2008, during the recession, I started my career around that time. It was very hard; everyone was struggling, and big companies were on the sidelines. But somehow, I survived, and there were a lot of learnings during that time. I’ve worked with mostly six to seven startups, and fielddrive is my seventh company. 

Over the course of my career, I've filled many roles. In one startup, I was even involved in customer engagement, which was quite a learning experience. I love working on products. Whether it's a small or big task. I think of every product that I work on as my own baby. I give my all to ensure it sees a better day. Now, I'm at fielddrive, and I enjoy working here. The culture is open; there's no hierarchy, and everyone can reach out to anyone, which is crucial for a successful startup.

Sawan: Absolutely. So, what is your job as an engineering manager? What does a typical day look like for you?

Kislay: Well, a typical day for me involves a lot of DMs and a lot of meetings. I particularly enjoy having debates and discussions with the CTO. 

On the technical side, we strategize and plan to ensure we don’t miss features and prepare for any possible issues. Our product must work flawlessly because if it doesn’t, it directly impacts our customers. We work on better planning and ensuring our products are user-friendly and reliable.

Exciting Projects and Daily Challenges

Sawan: What are you most excited about regarding what is coming down the pipeline from the tech team?

Kislay: There are many things. One significant thing is the analytics part, which will solve many problems. It will help organizers focus better by providing insights into how our product is being used. Another area we are working on is making our products more user-friendly so that project managers can work independently without needing constant tech support.

Sawan: That is so good to hear. I feel like a lot of tech companies forget that it doesn't matter how robust your platform is, if the users find it tedious to deal with, they'll stay away. 

Kislay: Exactly. You need to make sure that you're finding the right balance. It's not always easy. Plus, the design problems become even more critical as your platform gets more complex, so you have to look out for that as well.

Sawan: Do you have a favorite fielddrive memory?

Kislay: I have many, but the recent Goa trip stands out. It was memorable because everyone was involved, and it was a chance to paint a picture of the team beyond the virtual workspace. Meeting everyone face-to-face and working together physically provided a new perspective on how we function as a team.

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Beyond Work: Hobbies and Personal Interests

Sawan: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

Kislay: I love painting and often doodle or paint in my free time. I also enjoy running marathons. Recently, I participated in a 12-hour relay run with my team, Speedy Snails. Hiking and trekking are other hobbies I enjoy, and I love exploring new places.

Sawan: What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been to?

Kislay: There are many beautiful places in India. While Goa is popular, I personally love Gokarna in Karnataka. It’s peaceful, and the beaches are beautiful. I did a solo trip to Gokarna when I joined fielddrive, and it was a fantastic experience.

Rapid-fire Round

Sawan: Now, for a fun rapid-fire round! You ready?

Kislay: Bring it on! 

Sawan: Books or movies?

Kislay: Movies.

Sawan: Marvel or DC?

Kislay: DC. I like their story arcs, although they have messed up the movies a bit. Their animations and storylines are really good.

Sawan: Who's your favorite superhero?

Kislay: Batman. He's human, and his gadgets and technology are physically possible. I also like Iron Man, but Batman stands out because he built his capabilities without any supernatural powers.

Sawan: Do you enjoy a particular sport other than running and trekking?

Kislay: I used to play table tennis a lot. It’s something I really enjoyed playing with friends at my previous company.

Final Thoughts

Sawan: Alright, Kislay, I have one final question for you, and then you'll be free of me! Here goes: If you could put one message out to the world, what would it be?

Kislay: Help one person. Don't try to help the whole world. If you help one person and ask them to help another, it creates a ripple effect, and soon, the entire world is healed.

Sawan: That’s beautiful. Well, we're done! Thank you, again, for doing this! 

Kislay: No, the pleasure was all mine. I had a lot of fun!

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