Top 5 Career Tips from Trailblazing Women Engineers in India

What’s the key to success to building and sustaining a career in tech? Here’s what three of our software engineering leaders had to say:

Meet the Engineers:

1. Network and seek out mentors

The best resource of all for career growth may be the simplest: people. No matter where you are in your career, mentorship is critical for building authentic relationships, seeking out advice, and growing in your personal and professional endeavors.

“Networking and mentorship are extremely important. Building a strong professional network and seeking mentorship can be instrumental in advancing your career.” - Geeta

“Seek out leaders and individuals that you respect and admire. Ask if they can mentor you. This has been invaluable personally for me in my career to just have a sounding board. It can be a revelation and an opportunity for great learning when you speak to another person who's probably had a similar journey as you.” - Bhavya

2. Prioritize your well-being

Working for a company that values its employees and supports them in their career and personal endeavors is invaluable for long-term success. For instance, the Salesforce India Return to Work program is helping women, like Mohana Priya, return to the workforce after taking a break from their careers.

“We should ask ourselves what makes us happy. As simple as this question may sound, not many will have a clear answer. It's very important to know what we want out of our own jobs and careers.” - Suma

“Through different phases of your career and life, you might find that work versus life might be more demanding of your time. So it is important to take a moment to breathe and prioritize your own wellbeing. Burnout can be very real if you don't really pay attention and attend to it.” - Bhavya

3. Say no to self-doubt

Self-doubt can be your worst enemy — but don’t let it be. Women have faced double standards, biases and inequities in the workplace, so it is more important than ever to own your accomplishments, and allow allies to support you. You worked hard to get where you are, so own it. Have the courage to advocate for yourself and take advantage of opportunities to build your knowledge and advance your career. (Want to learn more? Here’s a blueprint for women in leadership from our India Sales COO.)

“We often allow self limiting beliefs to stop us from taking risks. And I think it's important to raise your hand and make the very best of doors that open to you throughout your career. Know your strengths; lead with your strengths.” - Bhavya

“Don't let imposter syndrome stop you from pursuing your goals. Believe in your abilities and don't hesitate to showcase your skills and accomplishments. Cultivate self-confidence and assertiveness in expressing your ideas and pursuing opportunities for growth and leadership.” - Geeta

4. Never stop learning

Tech is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world — and, at a company like Salesforce that’s on the leading edge of AI — employees need to be constantly learning and leveraging the latest technologies to help their customers succeed.

Ready to take your career to the next level with new skills? Take the AI Fundamentals Trail!

“There's no alternative to continuous learning and skill development. Technology is constantly evolving, so it's crucial to stay relevant by keeping us updated with the latest trends, tools, and technologies in the field.” - Geeta

“At the end of the day, we are all solving one problem or the other, and what helps us to solve these problems is the technical knowledge and skillset. We should always keep ourselves relevant and up-skilled.” - Suma

5. Choose a company that aligns with your values

Finding purpose in your work is a key indicator of career success; in fact, according to Deloitte, “cultivating worker passion is a cornerstone of talent development.” But, how can that be accomplished? Simple: finding a company with core values that align to your own.

“What attracted me to a career at Salesforce is the company’s strong commitment to innovation, diversity, sustainability, and making a positive impact. I personally get really inspired by the Salesforce philanthropy model of 1-1-1, where we pledge 1% of our equity, time, and products to giving back to society, which makes whatever we do on an everyday basis even more meaningful.” - Geeta

“Having an opportunity to make an impact in various industries while learning and having fun, that was very attractive to me. That's why I'm here." - Suma

"If you are someone who is drawn to solving real world problems, technology is a great way to do that. There are so many ways in which Salesforce exemplifies one of its core values, innovation. I think it's very exciting to be part of Salesforce during this surge of AI." - Bhavya

Join Salesforce at Trailblazing Women India

Salesforce has an unwavering commitment to equality. It’s one of our core values, and drives us to have a workplace that reflects society.

It’s also why we host amazing events, like Trailblazing Women, where we can gather women and allies in tech to inspire growth, learning and connection.

Will you join us for this year’s Trailblazing Women Summit? Tune in around the globe as we bring together luminary speakers and executives in Hyderabad on Friday, August 23. RSVP here — we’ll see you then!