Mentor Spotlight: Aparna Sishtla on Being the Mentor You Wish You'd Had

Now, she's channeling her extensive experience into a new passion project:

"Right now, I've taken a step back from full-time work to focus on something I've always been passionate about — helping young women in tech build strong, successful careers. I'm working on starting my own consultancy to coach women on the soft skills that really make a difference: confidence, communication, and career growth."

As an Asian woman who has navigated predominantly male tech environments across multiple continents, Aparna's resource recommendations reflect her unique perspective on cultural and gender dynamics:

"As an Asian woman building a career in a male-dominated industry, I've faced my share of challenges. One key moment for me was attending a fireside chat by author Jane Hyun — her insights really stuck with me. I'd highly recommend her books Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling and Flex — they do a great job unpacking how cultural and gender dynamics play out at work, and how those differences can actually be strengths."

Her additional recommendations showcase the breadth of perspectives she values:

"Another favorite is Recoding Gender by Janet Abbate, which gives a powerful look at the history of women in computing. And Dare to Lead by Brené Brown is full of great advice — not just for work, but for life in general."

These recommendations reveal Aparna's holistic approach to professional development—understanding that success requires navigating cultural dynamics, historical context, and leadership courage.

Aparna's motivation to mentor stems from her own career journey and the gaps she experienced:

"Honestly, I became a mentor because I wanted to be the person I wish I had when I was just starting out. There were so many moments early in my career where I felt stuck, unsure, or alone — and I just kept thinking, 'I wish someone could tell me how to handle this.' Now that I've been through those ups and downs, I want to be there for other women navigating the same challenges."

Her focus centers on the foundation that makes all other skills possible:

"What's most rewarding is seeing someone gain confidence in themselves — whether it's speaking up in meetings, negotiating a raise, or just realizing they're capable of more than they thought."

One of Aparna's most meaningful mentorship moments demonstrates how effective mentorship creates internal resources:

"One moment that really stuck with me was when a mentee told me about a tough situation at work — she had to give constructive feedback to someone on her team, and she was nervous about how it would go. Later, she told me, 'I thought about how Aparna would handle this,' and used some of the tips and suggestions I had shared with her during our conversations. She went through with the discussion, and it turned out to be really productive."

The significance of this moment extends beyond the immediate success:

"Hearing that just gave me so much satisfaction. Knowing that something we talked about helped her handle a real-world challenge with confidence — that's exactly why I love mentoring!"

This story illustrates Aparna's core insight: effective mentorship doesn't create dependency—it builds internal confidence that mentees can access independently when facing new challenges.

Aparna's own development through mentorship has been substantial and multifaceted:

"I really reflect on the advice I share. That process has grounded me and made me more thoughtful in how I show up, not just in a professional setup, but in other areas of life too."

The interpersonal skills developed through mentorship have enhanced her broader leadership capabilities:

"Listening closely, understanding someone else's perspective, and figuring out how to support them — all of that has sharpened my ability to connect with people and be empathetic. And honestly, I learn just as much from my mentees as they do from me. Their experiences have opened my eyes to different personalities, cultures, and emotions. I've definitely become more introspective through this journey."

For those considering mentorship, Aparna offers practical, experience-based advice that emphasizes intentionality:

"Being a mentor is a big responsibility — you're guiding someone and hopefully helping them grow into a better version of themselves. It takes real effort and focus."

Her specific recommendations reflect years of refinement:

"Here are a few things I've found helpful: Make sure you set aside dedicated time for your mentorship sessions. Be intentional with your time. Focus on quality over quantity. It's better to support a few mentees well than to spread yourself too thin and not be fully present for anyone. If you've been a mentee before, think back to what worked for you. Start by trying out some of those same techniques — they might not all work for your mentee, but it gives you a solid starting point to shape your own approach."

When discussing the broader importance of mentorship, Aparna connects individual support to universal professional challenges:

"In the fast-paced world we live in, it's hard to handle everything on our own. Having someone you can talk to—someone you can bounce ideas off, get honest advice from, or even just feel heard and validated by—makes a huge difference."

She particularly emphasizes mentorship's role in addressing imposter syndrome:

"Most of us experience imposter syndrome at some point, and it can be tough to work through on your own. A good mentor understands what you're going through and can help you see your strengths more clearly. Sometimes, just having someone remind you of your own potential is exactly what you need to move forward with confidence."