It has been almost exactly two years since I wrote here, and for good reason - it has been a roller-coaster ride that changed my life in many ways!
To give you a quick recap, I left my job as a software developer in Citi in 2017 to look for something more akin to my areas of interest. It was a big risk at the time but by a stroke of luck, a friend from BITS-Pilani referred me to his organization, and I began what was the most enriching professional experience of my life. Talk about rewards for taking a risk!
The organization that I joined was India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS), a non-profit start-up, launched in 2017, that helped senior corporate professionals prepare for and secure leadership positions in the social impact space. We were a small team of 3 highly passionate and very different people, but somehow, through struggle, hustle and what I feel was parent-like ownership, we took it from an idea on a paper to a community of 85+ highly accomplished professionals working on social change.
The experience opened my eyes in more ways than one - I was brought face to face with my own privilege, something which I now tend to lecture my other friends about. I got the opportunity to meet fantastic people from the social sector - professors from Harvard, activists, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs. Meeting these accomplished yet very warm people was humbling, but also made me aware of the immense possibilities out there. As it was a start-up, one ended up doing everything it took to make things happen - whether it was unloading cargo at 2 am on a freezing cold night, or presenting in front of an audience of 100+ people (perspiring tremendously while at it), or just ensuring that the rooms of all our participants had mosquito repellants. I remember hangers being a contentious issue for more than one leadership programs that we organized. But it was also about the big picture stuff - deciding the strategy for reaching out to more people, dealing with vendors, making tough decisions on what we should do and what we shouldn't, trying to get a PR release, budgeting. My incredible mentor also taught me how to think with a mentality of abundance, and how love, justice and kindness really go a long way in building relationships, which is kind of the most important thing for any organization, whether it's a non-profit or a corporate firm. Tomorrow, ILSS begins its 6th leadership program, and the first one without me! While I am dealing with a severe case of FOMO, my heart fills with joy as I see ILSS soaring upwards and onwards.
So why am I not there? Well, much has changed in the last 4 months as I realized two huge aspirations in life - one personal, and the other professional.
On the personal front, I got married to my bae of 8 years. It warmed my heart to see all our friends and family flying down from all over the world to see us cross over to the other side. Is the grass greener on the other side? I guess so, but I know that my husband (whoa!) and I would be ready with a hose to really water any brown patches that ever appear (early mornings really make me come up with weird analogies). Nevertheless, I am excited about this journey with my companion of 8 years, who I am truly grateful for.
On the professional front, my little-girl dream of studying at INSEAD is finally coming true. I still remember how excited about INSEAD my father was, when he came back from a training held there. I had made a mental note to get into this B-school he had been raving about, but little did I realise how laborious the road to getting in would be. Through rejections, self-worth doubts, anxiety attacks but also persistence, I finally made it here, and with a scholarship. A week into the INSEAD experience at Fontainebleau (a quaint town in France), I can see why it is a big deal - the exposure to the wide experiences of your peers is truly valuable. Like ILSS, I am sure this experience is going to broaden my perspective, and I guess that's the point of any big step in life.
And while I haven't exactly won an Oscar, I feel the need to thank the people who stood by me through my efforts to achieve this dream. Anyone who knew me, and knew me well, knew that international B-school education has been my long-cherished goal. My parents and brother have seen me go through rounds of rejections and worries about fees but have been my biggest cheerleaders and support system. My husband and best friends had to bear hours and hours of venting about the process, and kept reminding me that 'apna time aega'. Then there were those mentors and friends who reviewed my essays at very very short notices, and really prepared me for interviews, my colleague who calmed me down when I broke down in the office due to fear of missing the deadline, the gracious mentors who gave wonderful recommendations. I guess it takes a village to send someone to B-school, and I was lucky to have these people beside me. Thank you folks, you know who you are.
So why did I choose to blog today? Well, life has been good to me, and I am grateful for that. The next year is going to be super-tough and hectic: I just saw the schedule and I guess my blood would soon be 70% coffee. While I may not really get the time to write more frequently, I thought a new beginning in life is also a good time for renewing your interests. Because if ILSS was pivotal in life, INSEAD is a pit-stop - a chance to refuel, recharge and renew yourself for the next dream. Now let's go get that degree, which seems to be a tougher deal than getting in! But, so far, so good!
