Career Story: Shraddha Jain – from Economic Analyst to Tech Leader in Machine Learning

Driven by a passion for problem-solving and a deep understanding of software's potential to address real-world challenges, Shraddha transitioned from a background in economics and history to a career in software development, specialising in machine learning. She successfully carved her path into tech leadership by learning to ask for what she wanted, setting clear goals, and taking risks. We hope you enjoy discovering Shraddha's inspiring journey as much as we have!

About Shraddha

I'm Shraddha Jain, a tech leader originally from Guwahati, India, with a passion for building scalable systems and optimizing machine learning platforms. My journey into technology started from a background in economics and history, and over the years, I've grown to love how technology can make a tangible difference in the world. I'm driven by the desire to use my skills to contribute to meaningful causes, particularly in the mental health tech space.

Why Women in Tech Mentorship?

I joined the Women in Tech Mentorship Platform powered by OneUpOneDown because I've often found myself as the only woman engineer on a team of 50 or more, without a mentor or role model within the organisation. Navigating this path on my own has taught me the importance of support and guidance. I want to help others who find themselves in similar situations, providing them with the mentorship I didn't have. At the same time, I'm eager to reach out for mentorship and guidance myself, as I continue to grow and transition into new phases of my career.

The Path to Tech

After graduating college, I first worked as an economic analyst, but quickly realized it wasn't the right fit for me. I found that I really loved the structured problem solving nature of coding. Over time, I've come to deeply appreciate the immense potential of software to solve real-world problems and create innovative solutions. I love that tech can be applied to almost any field or subject in the world, and its possibilities are expanding every day. This adaptability and potential for impact have deepened my passion for being a part of the tech industry.

A Pivotal Moment

A pivotal moment in my career was when I realised that I could simply ask for what I wanted—a promotion, in this case. So many of us are afraid to ask for recognition, and when I first did it, I felt nervous, guilty and undeserving. But ultimately, it was an empowering realisation that advocating for myself was not only possible but necessary. I approached my manager and expressed my interest in advancing, and to my surprise, they took me seriously and worked with me to chart a path forward. It taught me that sometimes, all you need to do is ask and that being proactive about your career can open doors you didn't even know existed.

Advice to My Younger Self

I would tell my younger self to ask for what you want, take risks, and not worry too much about what others might think or feel. Stand your ground, speak up, and don't be afraid to reach out for guidance or help. Set concrete goals and get really good at project management skills. I treat my life as a project—I use a personal Jira board and put all my commitments, social or otherwise, on a calendar to stay organized. It's all about staying proactive and keeping things in perspective.

Vision for Women in Tech

My vision for the future of women in technology is to not only see more women in leadership roles but driving innovation in tech areas that directly impact women and other historically underrepresented groups. I would love to see more tech solutions addressing issues like fertility services, sexual health, and mental health, particularly focusing on challenges such as postpartum depression and menopause. Women in tech are a growing force, and it's time we bring our unique perspectives to the forefront, embrace our strengths, and disrupt industries. I want a tech world where women's voices are not only heard but are leading the way in innovation.

Connect with Shraddha

I've historically been a private person, but I'm making a concerted effort to be more available and vocal about my journey. You can follow me on LinkedIn, where I share insights and updates. I'm also working on cleaning up my GitHub projects and will soon be making them public. Additionally, I'm developing a personal website and blog, and I'll be sure to share the details as soon as they're ready. I look forward to connecting and sharing more of my journey with you all!