Place of residence: India

Position: Software Engineer 2 Airbnb

Please describe a day in your life.

I prefer waking up early and starting my day with some form of physical activity, whether it be yoga or going out for a run. This clears my mind and energises me for the day ahead. I note down all the tasks I plan to accomplish by making personal and professional to-do lists and prioritising them. Starting with the highest priority task first, I feel accomplished once I start ticking off items from my to-do list, which serves as fuel to finish the rest of the items.

I take little breaks from work every 2-3 hours to avoid eye and back strain since my work involves long hours on a computer screen. Most of my same-time-zone meetings are done by 5 PM. We have dedicated focus and collaboration times on our calendars, allowing me to work without distractions and collaborate effectively with my teammates. After wrapping up work, I usually engage in light physical activity like walking or going to the gym. I generally have an early dinner, after which I attend a few cross-time-zone meetings, if any. I prefer ending the day on a lighter note by reading non-fiction or continuing a self-paced course.

How many projects are you currently working on? Please describe them

My team is involved in the compliance division of the Payments Platform at Airbnb. We manage the entire lifecycle of compliance-related cases. Since Airbnb operates internationally, it must comply with various regulatory bodies, and failure to do so can result in significant fines. Due to the nature of the product, it can be misused for illicit activities like money laundering or forgery. My team develops a platform that allows analysts to navigate the entire case management lifecycle seamlessly.

My latest project involves developing a centralised platform for any Airbnb employee to report any escalation, such as a breach of compliance and maintaining new queues to track those escalations. Prior to this, we designed new queues for tracking financial crime cases.

In your opinion, who is the most influential person/company in the world of technology these days?

I would say Sam Altman, as his leadership, has been instrumental in advancing AI technologies that have the potential to transform industries and improve lives globally. Before OpenAI, Altman was the president of Y Combinator, one of the most successful startup accelerators in the world. He has played a key role in the growth of numerous startups, including Airbnb, Dropbox, and Stripe. Learning from his experiences in nurturing innovative companies would be invaluable for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and technology.

If you could pick one app/product/project existing now that you wish you were involved in, what would it be?

It would be Facebook, as it has totally revolutionised how people connect and communicate globally. Understanding the product’s initial vision and the journey of building one of the world’s most influential social media platforms would be incredibly insightful. It would be an enriching experience filled with discussions about innovation, leadership, societal impact, and the future of digital connectivity.

How do you see technology evolving in the next ten years?

I foresee generative AI taking a significant leap forward, with low-code and no-code platforms becoming more prevalent. These advancements will democratise technology, allowing more people to enter the tech space regardless of their formal education. This inclusivity will foster innovation and bring diverse perspectives to the industry.

What would you like the industry to look like in ten years?

I envision an industry where generative AI and no-code/low-code platforms have become mainstream. This will allow professionals to focus more on innovation and creativity as AI handles repetitive and mundane tasks. The growth in this sector will be exponential, driving unprecedented advancements and opportunities.

What are the three characteristics you have that make you successful in tech?

Curiosity – I deeply desire to understand how things work, which constantly drives me to learn and improve.

Perseverance – I don’t give up easily, even when faced with tough challenges. This resilience helps me push through difficulties and achieve my goals.

Positive Self-Talk – I maintain a positive mindset, encouraging myself during tough times and staying motivated to keep moving forward.

What is the most challenging thing you had to deal with during your career?

Transitioning from university to corporate life was particularly challenging. As a fresh graduate with no work experience, I had to quickly learn and adapt to the corporate environment, which involved understanding complex processes and development lifecycles. Additionally, dealing with difficult people and situations and demanding projects required a lot of patience and resilience. There were times when I worked long hours, struggled with technical issues, and felt overwhelmed, but these experiences helped me grow and develop my skills.

What is your most outstanding achievement up until today?

My greatest achievement is mentoring and helping individuals who are starting their careers in tech. My first mentorship opportunity and ongoing work with women transitioning into tech have been incredibly fulfilling. I have also enjoyed being able to guide and support others and share my knowledge and experiences.

What is your next goal?

My next goal is to become a better version of myself, easily handling challenges in both my personal and professional life. I aim to make a meaningful impact by helping people enter and excel in tech. Many people see me as a role model, and I want to ensure they have access to the guidance and resources I lacked at the start of my career. I aspire to be the guiding light for others, helping them find their path and succeed.

What are your tips for people wanting to start in the tech world?

Be curious and immerse yourself fully in your interests. Don’t give up when things get tough; perseverance is key to success. Remember that challenges are growth opportunities; staying determined will help you achieve your goals. Always be open to listening and learning. It’s natural to be critical of what has or hasn’t happened in your life. However, it’s important to accept that making mistakes is part of the journey. It’s okay to fall. What truly matters is not how hard you fall but how you rise after the fall. Your resilience and determination to get back up and keep going will make all the difference.

Embrace every opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Be kind to yourself, and remember that the path to success is rarely a straight line. Keep pushing forward, and believe in your ability to achieve great things.

What would it be if you could say something to your younger self?

Be confident enough to try things that interest you, even if you know you’re not good at them yet. Be shameless in your pursuits. Don’t let the fear of failure or not meeting your own high expectations hold you back from exploring your full potential. Understand that you don’t have to excel at something right from the start. Every skill can be developed with perseverance, consistency, and repetition.

Recognize that the moment you grasp this concept, you begin to break down the invisible mental barriers you’ve created for yourself. Don’t grow up believing that if something seems impossible, it shouldn’t be attempted. It’s our job to dispel these myths and achieve the things that seem out of reach.

Which famous person would you like to have dinner with and why?

I would love to have dinner with Mark Zuckerberg, as understanding his vision and the journey of building one of the world’s most influential social media platforms would be incredibly insightful. Zuckerberg has grown Facebook from a college project into a multi-billion-dollar company. Learning about his strategic decisions, challenges, and leadership principles would be valuable. Understanding Zuckerberg’s personal journey, his motivations, and how he navigated the challenges of scaling Facebook, dealing with controversies, and maintaining a work-life balance would offer valuable lessons for personal and professional growth.

Where would you like to travel next?

I want to visit Spain for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and exquisite cuisine. The stunning beaches and diverse landscapes offer endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Skydiving over Spain’s breathtaking scenery has been on my bucket list for quite some time.

Do you have a person who influences or motivates you?

I am deeply inspired by Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, which is the foundation of the Linux operating system. Linus Torvald’s journey from a hobbyist programmer to a globally influential technological figure is a source of inspiration. His work has profoundly impacted the world of technology, powering everything from servers and supercomputers to smartphones and embedded systems. Torvalds is a leading figure in the open-source movement. His advocacy for open-source software has democratized access to technology, enabling countless developers to contribute to and benefit from collaborative software projects

What did you dream of creating/inventing/doing as a child?

As a child, I dreamt of developing the skills and capabilities that would enable me to uplift others. My aspiration was to reach a position where I could leverage my knowledge and resources to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. I envisioned myself as someone who could offer guidance, support, and opportunities to those in need, helping them to realize their potential and achieve their dreams.

This dream was driven by a desire to create a positive ripple effect—where my efforts to empower and educate others would, in turn, inspire them to do the same for others. Whether through mentoring, sharing valuable resources, or creating platforms for learning and growth, my goal was to be a catalyst for positive change. I wanted to ensure that the knowledge and opportunities I gained were accessible to others, allowing them to overcome obstacles and succeed in their own journeys.