Talent

29th Aug 2025

My Tech Career Journey: Why I Stayed, Led, and Built in Tech

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My Tech Career Journey: Why I Stayed, Led, and Built in Tech

Where It All Began?

Growing up, I was endlessly curious about how things worked—especially the apps and websites we use every day. While others interacted with the final product, I was fascinated by what went on behind the scenes. That curiosity turned into passion in college, the moment I wrote my first line of code.

What drew me to tech?

  • The power to build from scratch
  • The ability to solve real-world problems
  • The thrill of continuous learning

For me, tech was never just a career choice—it felt like a way to create meaningful impact.

Shifts in the Landscape for Women in Tech

When I began my career nearly six years ago, there were very few women in rooms where decisions were made—and fewer still whose voices were heard. The silence was loud.

But things are changing. More women are leading teams, building products, mentoring others, and shaping the industry.

What’s improved?

  • Visibility of women leaders and role models
  • Stronger communities of support and mentorship
  • More encouragement for women to lead and innovate

What still needs work?

  • Inclusive hiring and unbiased promotion processes
  • Safe, equitable, and empathetic work environments
  • Ensuring women’s voices are heard not just their output

The Moment That Changed Everything

A defining moment in my journey came during a high-pressure Angular migration project. I took ownership of the architecture, led the team through delivery, and watched our solution go live.

Why it mattered?

  • It validated my technical and leadership abilities
  • It earned the trust of peers and stakeholders
  • It marked my shift from contributor to changemaker
  • It was the moment I realized: I didn’t just belong in the room, I belonged at the head of the table

Leading with Empathy, Growing Through Tech

I believe you don’t have to choose between being a strong engineer and a good leader. The best leaders stay curious, remain hands-on, and lead with empathy.

How I maintain this balance?

  • I dedicate time every week to learn and upskill
  • I mentor through code reviews and conversations
  • I build a culture where every question is welcome
  • Leadership, to me, is about helping others grow while continuing to evolve yourself

Owning Your Voice

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this:

“Your voice matters. Don’t wait for permission or perfection. You’re not here by chance you’ve earned your place.”

We often hesitate until we feel 100% ready. But confidence grows through action, not silence.

Turning Assumptions into Respect

Yes, I’ve been underestimated. I’ve faced assumptions based on gender rather than skill. But I didn’t let that define me, I let my work speak for itself.

How I navigated it?

  • Delivered consistently strong, reliable work
  • Chose patience over frustration
  • Built credibility and earned trust
  • Now, I make it a point to ensure no one on my team feels the same isolation I once did.

Staying Future-Ready

Tech evolves fast and staying relevant is both a challenge and a joy. I rely on a mix of personal learning and community engagement.

How I stay current?

  • Follow Angular and full-stack developer communities
  • Read newsletters, blogs, and whitepapers
  • Take on side projects to explore new tools

What excites me most is the human side of tech, accessibility, ethical design, and solving real-world problems.

Creating Spaces Where Everyone Belongs

Supporting women in tech isn’t about ticking boxes it’s about designing systems that uplift, listen, and grow with them.

What Companies Should Focus On and Why It Matters?

  • Build mentorship and leadership pathways – Empower diverse talent with clear, supportive growth journeys.
  • Prioritize parental support and flexible work – Acknowledge life beyond work to build truly inclusive teams.
  • Go beyond bias training drive accountability – Create structures where equity isn’t optional it’s expected.
  • Make inclusion part of your culture, not a campaign – Inclusion must be woven into everyday behaviors, not seasonal spotlights.

A Journey Still in Progress

This journey has been about much more than writing code. It’s been about finding my voice, challenging norms, building community, and driving change from the inside out.

The road hasn’t always been easy but it’s made me stronger, more intentional, and more committed to shaping a tech world where everyone feels they truly belong.

Author

Jyotsana Rai

With strong expertise in software development and product engineering, Jyotsana Rai plays a pivotal role in building scalable, high-quality solutions at Indium. As a Senior Software Engineer, she combines technical depth with a problem-solving mindset to deliver products that are reliable, efficient, and future-ready. Her journey at Indium reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning — working closely with cross-functional teams to translate complex ideas into impactful applications. Jyotsana is passionate about engineering excellence and is focused on shaping products that not only solve today’s challenges but also anticipate tomorrow’s opportunities.

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