Software Development Manager, Amazon
At Amazon, Takallapaly manages a team of software engineers who are responsible for building data-driven solutions to support hiring needs for Amazon globally. “The information technology and management program at Jindal School helped me gain deep knowledge in data analytics, program management and people management,” Takallapaly says. “Looking back, these skills were an integral part of my career in the initial days. In my current role, I actually rely on all three of them equally to execute my responsibilities and deliver results.”
What do you enjoy about your current position/profession?
The scale of complexity and impact. Supporting one of the largest employers in the e-commerce industry has exposed me to challenges that not only impact the company but millions of customers worldwide. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my organization was tasked with ramping up hourly hiring by adding 175,000 new employees in under six weeks, which required me to think out of the box. Challenges such as these remind me about the impact of my work and continue to motivate me to be better and do better.
What characteristics do you look for when hiring people into your workplace?
Humility and the hunger to learn. Something that I have learned early in my career is not build a team based on a particular skillset, rather build a team based on character. Every team member not only contributes to building a great product but helping the entire team grow as a unit. A team that is willing to learn is not bound by existing limitations. And humility helps them find avenues to make it happen.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
UT Dallas was where I met my best friend and my confidant, Yashna Hemrajani. (She is a Jindal School alumna.) Four years later, she gave me the lifetime opportunity of becoming her husband.
What advice do you have for college students hoping to succeed professionally?
Learning does not stop once you get your degree. That is when learning actually begins. Always index toward learning in your early years of your professional career. A strong academic background combined with proven professional experience creates a foundation that will help you grow organically.
What makes an effective leader?
The ability to listen and earn the trust of your team. Great leaders in my experience have always been the ones who have allowed me fail, who have shown me that they have my back without actually telling me that. Being a leader requires continued learning and the ability to adapt to circumstances, just like everything else.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I am curious about things that one would not commonly talk about: “How does a USB cable work? How do space capsules land back on the earth?” This usually leads me to reading (a lot) in order to satiate that curiosity. My wife and I also love to explore new places and try out new cuisines.
