Thoughtworker Spotlight: Aanchal Bakshi

As an Engineering Manager and Lead Consultant, Aanchal Bakshi navigates the intricate balance of coding, team management and mentorship. Whether she is working on the latest and greatest in Android or fostering a culture of continuous learning, Aanchal merges her problem solving talents and passion for building user-centric experiences, elevating her teams to new heights.

From tackling an Android app accelerator incubator to working on smart video retail products, her commitment to excellence goes beyond the lines of code, but also in the collaborative spirit she fosters. Outside the coding hustle, she's all about family time, DIY projects, and Bollywood beats. Plus she's got some serious moves from the badminton court to the dance floor.

When it comes to her favourite product, let's just say she has a navigator for life's journeys. Learn more about Aanchal and her favourite product in this week's Thoughtworker Spotlight!

Tell us about what you do in 50 words or less

As a Lead Consultant and an Engineering Manager, my role is to combine technical proficiency with leadership to deliver impactful solutions. My day-to-day tasks involve writing code for Android apps, managing teams, mentoring engineers and overseeing development adhering to best practices, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

What’s the most interesting challenge you're working on?

Currently, I’m working on an internal project leveraging the latest and the greatest in Android, serving as the incubator for an app accelerator. This initiative aims to expedite client engagements and proof of concepts by providing a scaffold for app architecture and reusable modules, all aligned with Android best practices. The goal is to significantly reduce the time to value for future project pursuits, highlighting our strong capabilities as one of the best mobile teams.

What inspired you to have the career you have today??

Despite my initial aspirations for medicine, life led me to coding. I found my passion in mobile development, especially Android mainly because of its vast user base, diverse app possibilities, the satisfaction of building user-centric experiences, and the constant evolution that keeps developers engaged and challenged.

What achievement are you most proud of in your career to date?

One of my most significant achievements was working on a retail demo version of a smart video-calling device. Overcoming challenges like network limitations, and memory constraints, and crafting an immersive experience within those boundaries was incredibly rewarding. Seeing the product displayed on shelves at Best Buy, adorned with a well-known logo, was a proud moment that highlighted the impact of my work.

If you could go back in time and give yourself career advice, what would it be?

Don't be afraid of trying new things; view every experience, whether it's a success or a setback, as a chance to enhance your expertise and resilience.

What do you love to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I find immense joy in spending quality time with my one-year-old daughter, marveling at her daily discoveries. My artistic urge leads me to a plethora of hobbies, which includes painting and doodling, engaging in DIY home decor projects or trying out new recipes. Staying active is crucial for me, and I achieve this through regular badminton sessions, leisurely walks, exhilarating hikes and the sheer joy of dancing.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what album, movie, and book would you take with you?

Album – A lively Bollywood dance mix to keep spirits high and dance on the island sands during the day, and my Spotify moon-themed playlist for those serene island nights.

Movie – Any Shah Rukh Khan movie

Book – I'd bring an empty journal and fill the pages with my adventures (and maybe a few coconut recipes?!)

And finally, what’s your favorite product and why?

Google Maps! Beyond navigation, it saves time with traffic updates, boosts confidence in solo travel, and helps discover great food nearby.