Can you tell us about your background and what led you to pursue a career in STEM?
I grew up in India, and after graduating from secondary school, I had to choose what I’d study. Some of my classmates chose medicine or traditional courses, but 25 years ago, computers were not popular, and mainly men chose this pathway.
I didn’t know much about computers or how they really worked, so it was my curiosity that drove me. I wanted to understand how they functioned. There was a course available at a university not far from home, so I applied, got accepted, and the rest is history.
What has been your biggest challenge as a woman in STEM?
of a team, I didn’t always have enough confidence to speak up, especially when I had an opinion about something. I always wanted to validate my thoughts before expressing them, as I didn’t want to come across as someone who wouldn’t be taken seriously, which was a constant risk. Regarding gender balance, there was very little when I started; there were very few women in STEM.
Like many women, I face the challenge of sometimes being heard in a male dominated industry. The main challenge I still occasionally face, although it’s important to emphasise that this is with a very few men and not the majority, is the assumption that men tell me what to do just because I’m a woman.
There’s also a tendency to assume that when men speak up in a professional setting, it’s considered a discussion, whereas if women express their disagreement, it’s often perceived as an argument. We should feel confident to voice our opinions, challenge viewpoints, and embrace our uniqueness. It’s important to speak up when you have something to say, to question others when your perspective differs, and to value your individuality.
What attracted you to join Expleo, and how has your experience been so far?
My experience with Expleo has been great so far, and there are so many good things I can talk about, such as the teams, the people I work with, and the support we receive. Our support structure is unique, and I’m fortunate to work with some brilliant people.
I hadn’t worked with a consultancy before, so I was very nervous before I joined because I didn’t know how consultancy worked. In my current role, I constantly engage in varied tasks, which I thoroughly enjoy. At Expleo, if you’re going through something or have any circumstances affecting your family life, you can have a conversation and let them know what’s happening, and they’ll support you.
How has Expleo supported your professional growth and development within the STEM field?
There are many aspects of development, like software development, that you may not be aware of, such as support, aftercare and hypercare. Every project is unique, and I’m constantly learning. I’m always doing something new, whether it’s something I wasn’t doing yesterday or three weeks ago. Plus, there’s a good mix of new technologies available. I’m continually coming up with solutions for clients without compromising on quality.
I’m also in control of my own career, and I have an amazing work-life balance. At Expleo, we accommodate school runs by adjusting meetings so that we can manage these responsibilities. You can adjust your schedule to fit your needs as long as you’re fulfilling your responsibilities.
Can you describe a particularly rewarding project or achievement you've had while working at Expleo?
How would you describe the company culture at Expleo, particularly in terms of inclusivity and support for women in STEM?
I think we do it well. Nobody is discriminated against based on gender, age, race, or culture. We don’t really care— in a positive way—where you come from. All we care about is your skills, talent, and knowledge.
If I have people in my team who are developers, junior developers, or senior developers, as a leader, I like to see them take on the role of a lead and push themselves for development, learning new skills. When a new client comes in and we see there is more demand, I always involve them so that they can expand their skill set. This approach is very common at Expleo.
There’s constant career growth and support. If someone has a plan to take their career to the next step or move into a different industry, we’re here to support them. We do everything in our power to ensure that both women and men working on the ground feel supported and that they’re advancing their own goals while doing their jobs.
What does visibility, support and recognition mean to you at Expleo?
It’s important that if you’re doing a great job, you’re recognised and visible. It provides validation, and we have that here at Expleo. We have our employee recognition initiatives, such as during summer camp or at Christmas time.
I always recognise my team for their good work and encourage them to keep going. I believe we can always do more, especially by motivating our colleagues and keeping everyone excited about work through active feedback sessions.
How do you see your future at Expleo, and what are your career aspirations within the company?
What advice would you give to other women considering a career in STEM, especially those looking to join Expleo?
LIFE AT EXPLEO
Be Yourself
Providing an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees feel valued and supported. We want you to be the best version of yourself and we will support you in building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, and an environment to reach your full potential.
