Pankti Turakhiya

A big part of my journey has been shaped by my parents and teachers.

Growing up, my parents worked as daily wage workers, yet they always emphasized the importance of education. Their work ethic, sacrifices, and belief in building a better future through learning shaped my mindset from an early age and continue to motivate me.

My teachers also played a key role in my journey. Their encouragement and guidance helped me believe in my abilities and keep moving forward, even during uncertain phases.

Alongside that foundation, I would say my growth comes from consistency and a willingness to keep learning. I didn’t begin my career in analytics, but I stayed curious, continued building my skills, and gradually transitioned in that direction.

Overall, it’s a combination of the support I received and my own persistence that has shaped my journey so far.

One piece of advice that has stayed with me is to not just do your work well, but to make sure it actually matters.

Early in my career, I focused a lot on completing tasks correctly. Over time, I realized that real growth comes from understanding how your work fits into a larger purpose and how it creates value for others. That shift changed how I approach my work, I try to look beyond the task and focus on impact.

At the same time, I’ve also been reminded to stay grounded, no matter how far I go. Coming from a background where every opportunity had to be earned, staying connected to my values and where I come from has been just as important as professional growth.

Together, these perspectives have shaped how I see my career not just as progress, but as meaningful growth with purpose.

 I would say don’t wait until you feel completely ready to start, confidence often comes after you take the first step, not before.

In analytics and tech, it’s easy to feel like you need to know everything, but what really matters is your willingness to learn and stay consistent. Focus on building real, hands-on experience, even if it’s through small projects, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way.

At the same time, try to understand the purpose behind the work you’re doing. It’s not just about tools or technical skills, it’s about how your work helps solve problems and supports decisions.

And most importantly, trust your journey. Everyone starts somewhere, and your background or starting point doesn’t define how far you can go.

One of the biggest challenges in analytics right now is not the lack of data, but making that data reliable and meaningful. Organizations are generating more data than ever, but issues like data quality, governance, and integration still make it difficult to fully trust and use it effectively.

Another challenge is how quickly the field is evolving. Today, the expectations from analysts go beyond just reporting , they include understanding business context, working with different tools, and adapting to new technologies. Bridging the gap between technical work and real business impact is something many teams are still working on.

At the same time, this creates a huge opportunity. Analytics is becoming central to decision-making across industries, and there’s a growing shift toward more real-time and actionable insights.

What I find especially encouraging is that this field is becoming more accessible. People from different backgrounds, not just technical ones , can build a career in data if they’re willing to learn and stay curious. Diverse perspectives actually make analytics stronger, because they bring different ways of understanding problems and interpreting data.

Overall, the biggest opportunity lies in going beyond tools, focusing on problem-solving, understanding context, and making data truly useful for decision-making.

One of the most important values for me is responsibility. Coming from a background where every opportunity had to be earned, I’ve always felt a strong sense of accountability toward my goals and the work I do.

I also value consistency and integrity. In both my work and personal life, I believe in showing up, doing things the right way, and building trust over time rather than looking for quick results.

Another value that’s important to me is staying grounded. No matter how much I grow professionally, I want to remain connected to where I come from and the people who have supported me along the way.

Finally, I value growth not just in terms of career, but as a person. I try to keep learning, improving, and being open to new perspectives, because that’s what helps me move forward in a meaningful way.