Infosys

Change is the only constant in the STEM fields. The key to surviving as a tech professional is the willingness to learn and adjust quickly to emerging innovations. Any developer worth his or her’s salt knows that they need to keep the end user in mind with everything they do. We’re ultimately building things for people, so empathy is crucial when we develop new applications or technology for consumers. I believe more women in STEM will add that ideal mix of left and right-brained thinking that’s so critical for success in our industry.

When I was a student, STEM subjects were mandatory and so I remember them being as integral to my early education as history and language arts. Not that I minded, I loved every minute of it. There was something about coding in particular that inspired me to pursue a career in tech.

Like with every language, code has a specific form and framework around it that makes everything comprehensive, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for creative expression. The fact that you can be so literal or interpretive with it is what’s kept me fascinated after all these years, eventually leading me to earn a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and my Master’s in Finance.

It’s because I went through a school system that valued STEM that I am who I am today and because of that, I had a responsibility to cultivate that same passion in young people, especially girls. After all, many of them might come to work at Infosys someday! 

That’s why I partnered with PENCIL, a nonprofit organization that connects business professionals with public schools across New York City. Together, we work with educators to create hands-on learning experiences for their students, helping them develop the skills they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond. PENCIL hosted their Principal For A Day® event earlier this month and I jumped at the chance to be part of it.

It was an honor to visit the High School for Math, Science and Engineering at City College in New York (HSMSE), one of the leading STEM schools in the country. I sat in on classes, met with the students and most importantly, talked with the principal about different ways they can strengthen the school’s curriculum. Adding real-world expertise to the everyday coursework will ensure that students are totally prepared for what comes after graduation—no matter what road they choose to take.

Meeting the students only confirmed that they’re headed towards bright futures. It was so energizing and rejuvenating for me to spend time with them, listening as they passionately explained their projects to me, going into impressive detail about the underlying concepts behind their schoolwork. The love for STEM is alive and well in our youth, and it pleases me so much.

You need to adapt and change if you want to succeed in the tech industry. A well-written piece of code follows the same principal. It takes endless hours of trial and error, but you wouldn’t know it from the end result. Just like an artist, you need to have the bravery to make mistakes, the humility to learn from them and the resilience to keep moving forward, never giving up until the final product is everything you’ve envisioned it to be. This was so important for me to convey to the students at HSMSE. Tech is ever-evolving and filled with so many rewarding experiences, but you won’t reap any of the benefits without taking a few risks.

And it’s not just the students that have a lot to learn. Even now, when I read about the amazing ways people are disrupting and innovating  entire industries, I have moments when I feel as though I’m a child again, my eyes opened to a world I never would have dreamed possible. Those are the times when I’m overcome with that same sense of wonder I used to feel ball those years ago; back when it was all so new.

For me, taking the time to volunteer isn’t about outward perception, it’s about committing myself to something bigger. If I want my community to keep providing services to people, I need to do my part to contribute. It reminds me that my world is only a fraction of what’s really out there and it fills me with gratitude that I’m able to contribute with the skills I have. It can truly be considered an investment in my spiritual growth—and it can be for you, too.