Rajni Roshan has over a decade of experience in the tech industry and is passionate about technology solutions that have social impact. She moved to San Diego a year ago from UK, where she was a Client Solutions Manager for emerging technologies at IBM. She’s a strong advocate for young girls and women in STEM as the Program Director of Girls in Tech San Diego, a non-profit focused on supporting women in tech. She also regularly takes time out to mentor other women in the tech industry.
At IBM Rajni worked with her team and helped her clients, like Wimbledon solve their challenges using design thinking strategies. Leveraging her degree in computer engineering, and her years of experience at IBM leading a team, she got to a create proof of concepts for her clients combining existing and new technology and design unique tech solutions.
She went from software developer, to the business of IBM in mergers and acquisitions to client solutions. “I’ve always followed what I’ve been most interested in…I knew that I didn’t want to stay a developer all my life and I tried to find ways to get closer to my goal,” said Rajni.
These new career opportunities within IBM didn’t just fall into Rajni’s lap though. “I looked out, I reached out, I found out about what else was going on and I started chasing down those opportunities,” she said.
The lesson? Get scrappy like Rajni!
Today nonprofits play a large role in her life and tie into her passion to make the world a better place, improve the environment and provide mentorship for women in technology. As the Program Director of Girls in Tech, San Diego, she gets to empower, educate and engage with women in the tech industries through their events like hackathons and public speaking seminars. She encourages all students, especially women in tech to reach out and hold informational interviews with women they admire.
“You don’t have to be able to give someone your skills, or your time or your advice in order to receive that back. It can happen the other way. Just ask. What’s the worst that can happen? Ask for time to ask a few questions,” said Rajni.
And when it comes to making an impression, she’s looking for stories that demonstrate your work ethic—projects you’ve worked on outside of the classroom. “…that’s the one key thing I look for—initiative and hustle…It speaks volumes of your work ethics even though you don’t have a long list on your resume.”
After listening to Rajni’s story look into a company thoroughly and understand what this company stands for, why you’re passionate about it, and write that down. Prepare questions just like Rajni did for her interview with IBM. That way you can be positioned to show your interest and stand out from every other applicant.
Subscribe and download my podcast interview with Rajni here on iTunes!
Once you’re inspired by Rajni’s story we would love to read your review. Thanks so much!
Want more advice on how to follow your passion career? Follow host Amanda Nachman & Find Your Passion Career Facebook & Instagram!
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