30572_Kao Data Critical Careers_Pages - Flipbook - Page 99
What challenges have you faced
being a woman in the industry?
I
have to put my answer in the context of India because people who could in昀氀uence my
promotions over the course of my career were Indians 90% of the time. That brings
about certain challenges from a culture and societal expectation perspective.
One signi昀椀cant challenge I faced was during my maternity leave. Upon returning, the
昀氀exibility I needed wasn’t available; I was expected to be at the of昀椀ce every day at 9:00
AM. It was a period when I considered quitting because the lack of work-from-home
options seemed untenable with my new responsibilities at home.
How do you feel about the experience
now a few years down the road?
oday looking back at that period of time, I feel quite content
with how things have unfolded. It might have taken a bit
longer to reach where I am now had I not taken those breaks
for my family, but these were conscious choices I made to balance my
personal life with my career. I don’t regret these decisions, as they were
necessary at the time, and I was fortunate to still have a stable job while
raising my children.
T
Thankfully, I have a very supportive mother and mother-in-law, both of whom
encouraged me not to quit and offered their help with childcare. This family support
system, which is quite integral in India, played a crucial role in my decision to continue
working. This is a generational shift in attitudes toward working women, which is
becoming more supportive.
Signi昀椀cant changes in workplace policies in India, like the extension of
maternity leave from three to six months and companies offering the
option to work from home for a year or increased 昀氀exibility, have been
really important milestones. These adjustments have made it more
feasible for women like me to return to work without feeling pressured
to choose between career and family.
Over time, I also sought roles that offered greater 昀氀exibility. This wasn’t easy and
required navigating the system to 昀椀nd positions that could accommodate a better worklife balance. Multinational companies seemed to be a better 昀椀t as they provided me with
better 昀氀exibility that I needed at critical times. It enabled me to continue progressing
professionally without sacri昀椀cing my personal commitments or career goals.
It’s also helped me learn the importance of patience. Rushing into
high-pressure roles without taking necessary breaks could have led to
burnout. Instead, the varied pace of my career 昀氀uctuating between
high and low-pressure roles has allowed me to sustain my energy and
commitment over the years.
These experiences were not just about managing my career; they are also about
setting an example for my daughter. It’s important to me that she sees that it’s normal
for women to study, work, and pursue their careers. This normalisation of women’s
professional lives is something I want to reinforce continually.
Looking back, I believe these breaks have contributed to my longevity
in the industry. They’ve helped me manage the physical and mental
demands of my job while undergoing life changes. Now, I feel there’s
nothing left to prove to anyone.
I used to think I needed to reach a certain level to show my worth, but
now I’m more settled and con昀椀dent in my abilities and choices. So yes,
despite the slower pace, I’ve arrived exactly where I needed to be, and
I’m all the better for it.
99
