As organizations are opting for increasing the female workforce representation, a skilled workforce has a better chance of being hired. 

Hence upskilling and reskilling are necessary to ensure career growth for women professionals  in the technology sector.

It enables them to keep pace with the advancements and changes in the rapidly-evolving tech industry. Besides this aids them staying relevant and updated with trends even when they are on break. 

We discussed all this and more at HerRising 2022, India’s largest career event for women by JobsForHer.

A panel of eminent speakers provided deep insights into “What to Keep in Mind to Build a Successful Career in Technology” and acknowledged that your skill sets are your assets as it opens a world of opportunities for you. 

The panelists at the Roundtable discussion at HerRising 2022, ( India’s largest career event for women by JobsForHer), included 

• Jyotsna Malhotra, DGM-HR, TVS Motors Company
• Maragathavalli N Palepu, Sr. Director, Head of Engineering Business Service Center, Vestas, 
• Pallabi Gochhi, APJC Talent Acquisition Leader, Cisco, 
• Rajani Anantharam, Director, Resource Solutions
• Sapna Pandit, Senior Manager, Software Engineering, Epsilon
• Sharmila Senthilraja, Director, SAP India Ltd. 

Sapna Pandit, Senior Manager, Software Engineering, Epsilon, stated that upskilling is needed for career progression. It empowers us to master our current role by elevating our thinking on how to thrive in an ever-changing world. 

Sharmila Senthilraja, Director, SAP India Ltd asserted that the world is not looking at your degree, but the skills set that you are bringing. She urged women to be on the lookout for the next skill that is growing and to invest in yourself. 

The panelists also spoke at length about unconscious bias faced by women in the tech sector. Pallabi Gochhi, APJC Talent Acquisition Leader, Cisco said that unconscious bias or inequality in the workplace needs a deliberate and conscious effort in changing the mindsets. We need to be the change we want to see around us. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZAA5ArUKqU&list=PLbeq-lBqJE8IJnJOnxH-ZU2pWLXq-tPBW&index=11

Referring to a study done by Harvard that reveals that 92% of the 1000 employees interviewed said they perceived bias, Sharmila pointed out that women need to fight internal bias first - that stems from deep rooted social conditioning and stereotypes

Women leaders need to demystify bias, says Maragathavalli N Palepu, Sr. Director, Head of Engineering Business Service Center, Vestas. Organizations need to create an environment where people are open to come forward and talk about it . We need to encourage people to be vocal and treat them to it , she feels. 

The panelists agreed that there is a need for a mindset change. And the tech sector can be a major differentiating factor in enabling women to rise in an otherwise male dominated industry.

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