Me: Good Afternoon Sir! I’m Neehar Yalamanchi, a computer science student with a passion for gaming. I’m thrilled to be here today, as we have a very special guest joining us. As someone who dreams of becoming a game designer or developer, I know how important it is to learn from those who have already navigated the complex and dynamic world of IT and project management.
Today, we have with us an Industry Expert, Puneet Bhawsinghka with over a decade of experience.
Puneet Bhawsinghka: Thank you, Neehar! It’s a pleasure to be here.
Me: So Could you first tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being in the IT industry?
Puneet Bhawsinghka: Sure! My educational journey began with a Post Graduate Program in Business Leadership, which provided me with a comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics, strategic thinking, and leadership principles.I hold a Master of Computer Applications (MCA), which equipped me with technical expertise and a deep understanding of computer science fundamentals.
Over the past decade, I have gained extensive experience in the Information Technology industry, which has been both challenging and rewarding. My career began with a strong emphasis on transition management and program/project management. In these roles, I was responsible for executing transitions as part of contracted engagement models across multiple geographies. This involved meticulous planning, risk management, and ensuring seamless integration of new processes and systems within different organizational structures. My work required a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage large teams and resources efficiently.
Throughout my career, I have worked across various domains, including manufacturing, retail, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and energy & utilities. This diverse experience has given me a broad perspective on how different industries operate and the unique challenges they face. It has also enabled me to apply best practices and innovative solutions across different sectors. So this was my journey.
Me: Really It’s a very inspiring journey sir! As you said, you have almost 10 years of experience in this field so can you explain how computer science education has changed in the years that you have worked?
Puneet Bhawsinghka: When I was a student, our faculties of computer science focused more on a compiled curriculum which was approved by the university. According to the course, they mainly give attention to “Applied Mathematics”.
The computer science education system developed in parallel with the advancement of computer science research, starting with specialized courses on IBM architecture and the first programming languages. This was because students were literally involved in scientific research from the second year of their study programme, and there was a direct relationship between the university’s scientific research and education operations. Special courses were created using content from scientific study, which eventually evolved into fundamental courses.
Numerous computer components, including operating system modules, language compilers, automated control systems (today known as computer technologies), packages of applied programmes (development platform prototypes), and others, were developed at the university which are resources for faculties nowadays. These innovations served as the foundation for training programmes. As a matter of fact, the learning process predated the practical application of computer technology, and graduates possessed the most sophisticated knowledge and abilities.
Regretfully, since 2010, there have been significant changes to this image. The university’s scientific ambitions became disconnected from industry, and financing for the research sector gradually reduced before ceasing entirely. Nowadays, the use of contemporary computer technologies and methodologies is far ahead of the educational process. As a result, alternative forms of education such as self-study, corporate education, and courses offered outside of universities start to gain ground on traditional higher education.
Me: As you said you were involved in many large-scale projects, especially those with multiple geographies. So how do you manage all these projects and what is your approach?
Puneet Bhawsinghka: That’s a great question. Managing large-scale projects, especially those that span multiple geographies, requires a structured and strategic approach. Establishing a strong project management structure must happen foremost. This framework includes clearly defined processes, roles, and responsibilities, which helps in maintaining order and consistency across all project phases.
Effective communication is one of my approach’s main pillars. Working with geographically dispersed teams can frequently cause communication to become obstructed. I make sure that we have regular, structured lines of communication, such daily stand-ups, weekly status meetings, and thorough progress reports, to solve this. These enable us to quickly resolve any problems and keep everyone in agreement.
Risk management is yet a different vital component of my strategy. There are a lot of factors that might go wrong with large-scale projects, especially ones that span several geographical areas. I carry out in-depth risk assessments up front and create backup plans in case something goes wrong. By taking a proactive stance, risks are reduced before they become serious issues.
I carry out in-depth risk assessments up front and create backup plans in case something goes wrong. By taking a proactive stance, risks are reduced before they become serious issues.
Me: This seems like a very well planned strategy! I heard from many people that career progress is important in the IT industry. What is the exact definition of Career progress? And I also wonder if, in your younger years, you could evaluate chances and potential job advancement based on where you believe there are the greatest learning opportunities.
Puneet Bhawsinghka: Absolutely, If I may give you some advise, you should be able to seize opportunities when they arise because the market is not kind at all. For your initial role, however, if you have the option, go for slightly larger, mid-size to larger size companies. That’s because they’ll be in a better position to assist you. On a particular product or project, you might not be the only engineer working on it, thus there may be more experienced individuals who can serve as mentors and advisors. So learning from them and creating a network of creativity with a community of engineers is actual career progress. What you don’t want to do is put yourself in a position where you are the startup’s top employee and have to spearhead its goals and aspirations—all of which falls on you as a freshman developer.
However, it’s extremely difficult—not impossible, but extremely difficult—and you’ll need to make many sacrifices to succeed in that as opposed to a company with a larger staff or more structure, where you’ll have assistance and be able to learn at a much more comfortable pace.
Me: Okay, Understood. Given your length of experience in the field, it’s interesting to hear your thoughts on professional advancement. I am aware that over your time on the team, you have taken on additional responsibilities and that you have witnessed others take on new positions. Apart from gaining technical proficiency, which I’m sure every student is working towards, practicing, training, and developing side projects, what do you believe is one of the most crucial other fields they should be concentrating on to further their information technology careers?
Puneet Bhawsinghka: Yes. The networking part is one of the things that is not taught. That can be vital and really important if you want to advance in your career. Thus, that can entail changing careers, finding coaches, or simply taking advantage of additional opportunities in the industry. The adage “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” may be familiar to you. This is undoubtedly true in the tech industry as well as every other industry. You should therefore network as much as you can. Instead of just answering calls, finishing tasks, and leaving, make an effort to establish a connection with the people you work with.
For networking, attend external events, such as gatherings. Meetups can be something you only want to attend a few times a year, but they’re usually free, local, and don’t need travel. Moreover, when you go, try to meet others, find out what they’re working on, tell them what you’re working on, and share your interests and desires with them as well. You never know what you could learn.
Me: Yeah, it would be very beneficial for me. As I’m preparing for game designing and developing, What advice would you give to someone transitioning from traditional IT roles to game design and development?
Puneet Bhawsinghka: Transitioning from traditional IT roles to game design and development is an exciting journey, but it comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities.
Firstly, immerse yourself in the gaming world. This means not just playing games, but also understanding the mechanics behind them. Study different game genres, analyze what makes them successful, and stay updated with industry trends. This foundational knowledge will help you to move forward.
Next, focus on acquiring the specific technical skills needed for game development. While traditional IT roles often involve languages like Java or Python, game development typically uses languages such as C++, C#, and tools like Unity or Unreal Engine. Invest time in learning these tools and languages through online courses, tutorials, or even formal education programs if possible and also make a portfolio if possible.
Lastly, stay passionate and patient. Transitioning to a new field takes time and perseverance. There will be a learning curve, and it’s important to stay motivated even when faced with challenges. Remember why you’re passionate about games and let that drive you forward.
Me: Noted. You also mentioned a portfolio. So How important is a portfolio for aspiring game developers, and what should it include?
Puneet Bhawsinghka: A portfolio is incredibly important for aspiring game developers. It’s your calling card, a tangible showcase of your skills, creativity, and potential. Unlike a traditional resume, which lists your experiences and education, a portfolio demonstrates what you can actually do. It’s what hiring managers and potential collaborators will look at to gauge your capabilities and fit for their team.
There are various important components that should be included in your portfolio. It should, above all, showcase your finest work. Here, I mean to say that it’s all about quality above quantity. Select projects that highlight your technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. These can be games you’ve developed, mods, prototypes, or even complex game mechanics you’ve created.
Mention a variety of projects to show your versatility. Like, if you’ve worked on different types of games—such as platformers, RPGs, or puzzle games—add examples of each. This demonstrates your ability to adapt to different genres and design challenges
Each project should come with detailed descriptions. Explain your role in the project, the tools and technologies you used, and any challenges you overcame. This context helps viewers understand your thought process and the scope of your contributions. If you collaborated with others, make sure to highlight teamwork and how you effectively worked within a team setting.
Screenshots and videos are powerful tools. High-quality visuals give a clear idea of what your projects look like and how they function. For interactive projects, consider providing playable demos or links to where they can be downloaded and experienced firsthand.
Don’t forget to include your code samples. This is especially important if you’re focusing on the development side of game creation. Clean, well-documented code snippets can demonstrate your coding proficiency and attention to detail.
Finally, make sure it’s simple to navigate within your portfolio. When designing your website or portfolio paper, stick to a simple, polished style. Each project should be easily accessible and prominently identified for ease of browsing.
Me: Got it Sir! This has been an incredibly insightful conversation. Your journey and advice have given me and our listeners a lot to think about and aspire to. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and experiences with us today.
Puneet Bhawsinghka: Thanks Neehar. I really enjoyed our discussion and hope that my experiences can help guide and inspire those looking to enter the IT industry or make the leap into game design and development. Have a great day!
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