Women’s Day series- Episode 10
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is working in a team of close to 80 resources predominantly consisting of male developers. It was a tough journey trying to prove my potential and finally working my way up to becoming one of the few female leads.
Nonetheless, the fact that I rose to this position showed that I was able to break a preconceived notion that I had that women leaders would not be able to handle a team of males. In fact, I must say, I managed to forge a strong bond between the team and this resulted in greater productivity. I was also able to build trust within the business teams ensuring successful project deliverables.”
Sweta works as a UI/UX engineer at Simpl — ensuring that our products are up to users’ expectations. Ensuring accessibility and ease of use across products has been part of parcel of Sweta’s professional life.
Q- What do you think is the single biggest obstacle holding women back at the workplace?
I would think the biggest obstacle holding back women are the women themselves. The voice in our heads. If we could record everything, we tell ourselves internally on a daily basis, we would realize how important it is to stop this negative self-talk. What makes it harder to let go of negative thoughts is the news and information directed at women these days. They make us feel like something is lacking in our lives.
We are constantly made to feel that we should be prettier, thinner, more successful, make more money, be better moms, wives, etc etc. We often are biased with the “You go, girl!” message, but then the hidden meaning is clear — We should feel bad because we have fallen short in so many ways from some imagined ideal.
Another major obstacle I have come across when a woman faces an interview panel is the question about her ability to juggle work and home. Yet, the male counterparts are mainly assessed on their potentials and skills. This is definitely a big challenge and a constant struggle every woman goes through. Many people fail to realize that some of the top women in various industries handle both their careers and personal lives quite successfully.
Personally, I have seen that startups are more true to age than corporates. Having worked with corporates for most of my career span, I see that startups are more welcoming and less gender biased. This is very encouraging as a woman myself.
Own what you want instead of listening to other people’s advice. Empower yourself rather than expecting to be empowered by others. Not being dependent on others and getting things done on your own.
Q- Any issue you would like to talk about? Or any outcomes you think are bringing in a positive impact?
One thing I would like to mention is that the focal point for Women’s Day is tied to the movement for women’s rights. However, as a society, we should understand that no man’s an island to himself. Women and men are mutually dependent on one another to get by in their daily lives.
Women should start believing in themselves more and strive to eradicate the need to remind people of women’s rights. We have all the rights in today’s day and age. It is up to us to take action. Likewise, men should take it upon themselves to treat women as equals and avoid any form of discrimination or suppression.
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This interview with Sweta was definitely illuminating. She has shed great insight on the struggles and hurdles that women in India and all over the world go through on a daily basis.
Nonetheless, at the end of the day hopefully, we can all take these words of inspiration to drive us to take on another day stronger than the day before.
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