Indian American corporate achievers share their success mantra

New students from India hear from entrepreneurs how earlier career choices led them to where they are today

New students from India attending a leading American business school heard from a group of high-profile of Indian American corporate achievers and entrepreneurs their success stories.

Indian students at Stamford and Hartford campuses of the Universities of Connecticut, School of Business heard from the panelists about their journey at a welcome event last Friday.

Organized by Global Organization of People of Indian Origin Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) the networking dinner was hosted at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, according to a media release.

Read: GOPIO raises $5,000 for Building One Community for new immigrants (January 12, 2021)

The panelists told them how earlier career choices led them to where they are now as well as their first “win” that made them confident and the biggest challenge to achieving that success.

Sharing their personal experiences, the panelists also provided guidance and inputs on educational preparation, necessary prior experience, what skills are the most important and transferable skills to acquire so as to market oneself to the American job market.

The program started with a welcome by GOPIO-CT President Ashok Nichani who told the students to consider the community organization as their big family.

GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham who moderated the interactive panel session, said, “America is the greatest country which provides opportunity to open up your mind.”

“You can be whatever you want to become, whether a professional in a large corporation, or help to manage a hedge fund or as a scientist or professor or as an entrepreneur, so, go and grab the opportunities awaiting you,” he said.

GuardX CEO Anand Chavan, who has over 18 years of industry experience in multiple software development, technology leadership and as strategist role, told the students on what skill set he would look for in hiring and the hot sectors which are hiring in the next few years.

Former IBM executive and global data advisor Sunita Menon said, “Be curious about finding the Why! That brings the creativity, challenge and innovation into your work, no matter what field you are in. It will build new paths for you and also inspire others around you.”

Docty Inc Co-Founder Ramya Subramanian, who was trained as an electrical and electronics engineer, shared her remarkable journey as a businesswoman from home in 2008, when she founded her IT solutions & services company, Arka Informations.

She advised the students to “Find your strength and surround yourself with people with what you work on and be open to learning, Find your passion so work does not seem like work and find your niche in whatever you choose.”

Semiconductor giant ASML’s project manager Pradeep Govil emphasized importance of skills needed to be successful in gaining fruitful employment and in life.

Panzer Solutions, an IT and recruiting company, Vice President Prasad Chintalapudi said, “Being able to communicate effectively is perhaps the most important of all life skills and as well managerial skill.

“It is what enables us to pass information to other people in spoken and writing and also listening skill will improve to understand what is said to us.”

AAAUM (OM) President Siddharth (Sid) Jain said, “Enjoy the student life exploring the culture and camaraderie with those around you. One skill to perfect is communication in all forms:- verbal, non-verbal, written and reading.”

Since quotas for H1-B to green cards via EB-2 (masters degree), EB-3 ( bachelors degree) are not expected to advance within the current administration, Jain advised master’s students to contemplate getting their advanced degrees such as Ph.D and get published in reputed journals to get a chance to getting qualified as EB-1 category and faster track to green card then EB-2 or EB-3.

Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty, Registrar, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), told the students that America is the land of opportunity, aim high!

“Be hungry and committed to your goals. It is not your fault if you do not know the path to your goal, but it is your fault if you do not enquire and learn of the path to your goal,” he said.

The event was sponsored by Foreseer. AI, an AI enabled platform for information extraction from unstructured data which was built by GuardX.