From Isolation to Community: My Journey to Building Mentorship in Tech
Hi there! I’m Shraddha Jain, and my journey into tech has been quite the adventure. Originally from Guwahati, India, I took a leap of faith at 18 to move to a new country on my own. As the first in my family to venture so far from home, I started my academic career at the University of Michigan, where I studied economics and history. Navigating this new world was both thrilling and challenging, especially as an international student on a visa. Landing my first job as an Litigation Economic Analyst felt like a significant achievement—proof that my hard work had paid off.
But as I settled into my role, I quickly realized something wasn’t right. While I was proud to have reached this milestone, I didn’t enjoy the work I was doing. The structured problem-solving nature of technology caught my interest, and I found myself fascinated by its potential to make a real difference. The decision to pivot to software engineering was a momentous one, filled with uncertainty and anxiety. Trusting my gut wasn’t easy, especially without a mentor or guide to reassure me along the way. Looking back, I wish I had someone to help navigate that transition—it might have made the process less stressful and more fulfilling.
Determined to follow my newfound passion, I enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Master’s in Computer and Information Technology. The transition was tough, requiring me to adapt quickly to a demanding new field and keep up with the brilliant students in my cohort! But with perseverance and a lot of coffee, I embraced the challenge and fell in love with coding and the world of software :)
As I transitioned into my career in FinTech, I found myself entering a predominantly male environment. While this was challenging in some respects, it was also incredibly rewarding. I was fortunate to have many male colleagues who recognized my talent and became strong advocates for me. Their support and encouragement helped me grow professionally and navigate the complexities of a major acquisition, adapt to the rapidly changing landscape during COVID, and steadily climb the career ladder—from starting as a junior engineer in 2019 to becoming a senior engineer in 2022, and now a tech lead in 2023. I am incredibly grateful for their mentorship and advocacy. At the same time, I often felt the absence of other women in software roles around me. It highlighted for me how important it is to have diverse perspectives in tech and reinforced my commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels supported and empowered. One of the most valuable lessons I learned along the way was the importance of advocating for myself and being open to constructive feedback. By embracing that feedback and working closely with my manager, I was able to turn it into actionable steps that helped me clearly define and achieve my career goals.
While I’m grateful for the support I received from my colleagues and proud of what I’ve achieved, my journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Being the only woman in an engineering organization of over 50 people often felt isolating. Without much mentorship or companionship from other women in tech, I found it difficult to connect with people who truly understood my experiences. Over time, I realized just how important a support network is and how much I had been missing out on. This realization motivated me to take action. I began volunteering to teach and mentor high school and college students, conducting workshops to spark interest in STEM among younger generations. More recently, I’ve joined mentorship programs aimed at supporting not only students but also professionals within the industry. I’ve also made a conscious effort to reach out to those senior to me, to build relationships and seek guidance. I believe creating these connections will lead to a healthier, more sustainable, and a rewarding career experience. It’s through this supportive community that I’ve found a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie.
I’m always eager to connect with others who might be navigating similar paths or looking for guidance. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone interested in tech, feel free to reach out. Let’s chat, share experiences, and see how we can learn from each other!
Resources For Mentorship and support in tech
Online Communities and Mentorship Programs
A community for Girls Who Code alumni to stay connected and continue their journey in tech, with access to mentorship and resources.
A platform where professionals from various fields, including tech, offer free mentoring sessions to support others in their careers.
Provides internships and mentorship for people traditionally underrepresented in tech, offering real-world experience in open source.
A 2 way mentorship program for women in tech where you are matched with a mentor and a mentee (Paid program)
A community of supportive women in tech, offering job opportunities, mentorship, and networking events. The facebook group is free to join, there’s also a paid membership for exclusive access to events, communications etc.
Books and Articles on Mentorship and Leadership
