This fortnight we focus our spotlight on Sreedevi S, our alumnus from the 2003-05 batch. The systems group topper of her batch, Sreedevi is currently working as a Business Consultant (HCL Technologies), having already qualified as a Microsoft Dynamics(tm) AX Master Certified Consultant. Her last year at HCL has been one swirl of work and travel as her job has made her criss-cross the globe taking her to Singapore, Vietnam and USA. Here, Sreedevi shares with us her reflections on life after Planet E
"We exist in relation to one another in this space of shared differences and commonalities. In our efforts to build community, we gather on common ground to break barriers and challenge ideas, to affirm experiences and empower ourselves."
J. Salunga, Intern 1997-98
University of California, San Diego
If someone had asked me to describe my life as young alumna, I would say it was fast. From the graduating batch of 2005 specializing in Information Systems, ASB equipped me to unleash tremendous creative energy in the field of technology and business management. Being a business consultant in the field of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), HCL Technologies, Chennai, has given me an incredible career growth. After acquiring the Certified Master’s designation from Microsoft in their Enterprise segment - Microsoft Dynamics™ AX, my performance gave me the chance to travel places, to understand different aspects of work life; and most importantly people.
One of my first work related travel was to the great little city - Singapura, where I was working for one of the statutory boards of the government sector. The workplace had a blend of Chinese, Malay, Indian and European people. To me the quality of the work one does is directly proportional to their commitment to excellence. And as a team each one of us was committed to deliver nothing less than the best.
Though most people still picture Vietnam through the lens of war, it is in authenticity a country filled with charming natural beauty and serene village life. I was here to take a series of training sessions for some of the leading partners of the region. My class had people from Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. I still feel a strong sense of modesty in all of them. Recollecting a quote by Galileo that says - “You cannot teach a person anything; you can only help him find it within himself”, I think I just did my job in helping them. As I was traveling from the hotel back to the airport I realized that just over two decades have passed since this country was officially united, and in that time it has done an extraordinary effort of healing its wounds. And as I left this beautiful city called Ho Chi Minh - I realized that this nation taught me a bigger lesson for life.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from my trip to Los Angeles. It was one of those places where I would be on my own. After landing at LAX airport and catching the cab to drive me down to Orange County, I thought, I was finally in the city of angels, in Hollywood, the city of the stars, and my home for the next few months. I was working for one of the leading Microsoft Gold Certified Partners in North America. The engagement involved rolling out the ERP software for the manufacturing division of a leading cooperative distributor in California. Apart from Americans I also had the chance to work with people from Denmark, Vietnam, China and Mexico. Each one made a profound impact on me. I realized that to be excellent at anything, I had to nurture the kind of obsessive thought patterns that wake me up in the middle of the night when I discover the answers to my questions. Perfection was the word.
Each individual experience is precious, some more memorable than others. Each new day teaching a new lesson for life. And each time a journey ends I'm equally happy to return to family and friends who have and continue to keep me sane and striving for more. There is no place like home, where I could find meaning in my life and give it to others.
ASB gave me the intellectual grounding to build on; HCL opened the door to the world. Both have been fresh starts for me, helping me to realize my potential, giving me the skills to help me succeed, and building my values as a leader and as an element of humanity.
Today I proudly tell the world that I am an ASBian. And that 'The Power to Empower' is what the school has educated me for.
Contributed By
Sreedevi
MBA 2005 Batch
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