“I didn’t have a typical childhood where you grow up in one place. My dad’s job had us moving from state to state—from Chhattisgarh to Jharkhand to Orissa, and finally to Goa. This constant moving taught me how to adapt quickly to new environments, a skill that has helped me immensely throughout my life.
Before moving to the U.S., I was focused on becoming a chartered accountant in India. I had cleared a couple of levels in my CA and CS courses but realized I needed to redefine my path after I moved to the U.S. post marriage. I prepared for the TOEFL and GRE within three months, achieving excellent scores. I qualified for an interview at Texas A&M, but due to my three-year bachelor’s degree, I had to pivot. Ultimately, I enrolled at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), which required me to complete a year of undergraduate courses to qualify for their master’s program, resulting in an extra eight courses.
This wasn’t my original plan; I was a finance student back in India. However, I understood the importance of securing a STEM degree for better visa stability and job opportunities. So, I opted for a master’s in Information Technology and Management. Balancing my studies was challenging; I took five courses per semester while my peers typically took three. This was all while dealing with a difficult marriage.
Two years into my turbulent marriage, I made the tough call to file for divorce while pursuing my master’s degree. It was a difficult decision, especially since I was on a dependent visa. During this time, I returned to India for the summer break and my parents were incredibly supportive about the decision.
They helped me secure an education loan and pushed through the paperwork needed for me to switch to a student visa in the U.S., which seemed nearly impossible at one point.
Returning to the U.S. amidst divorce proceedings was one of the hardest moments of my life. I was mentally drained, and I had no close friends or family to lean on. There were moments when I seriously considered quitting and moving back to India, but I had made a promise to myself—to prove that I could build a life independently. That promise kept me going.
Despite the emotional toll, I secured back-to-back Dean’s Excellence scholarships, cutting my tuition fees in half. I also landed an internship at an esteemed advertising agency and graduated with High Distinction Honors. All this was achieved while living under the constant fear of visa issues, since I was still legally married, it took about two years for the divorce to be granted. During this window, the process of applying for internships and work permits caused many sleepless nights, but I made it through.
Luckily, I didn’t face societal challenges after the divorce. My family and friends were fully supportive. In fact, many were surprised I had endured the marriage for two years, given the toll it took on my self-esteem and confidence. The biggest challenge was being away from my loved ones in India while I managed everything alone in the U.S.
What kept me going through it all? I promised myself that I would never depend on anyone else. I kept reminding myself of the goal of financial independence, and I started building my own network and support system. Some family friends I hadn’t met before moving to the U.S. became like family, and I made some amazing friends along the way who stood by me through thick and thin. I focused on taking things one day at a time.
Over the years, I grew into a leadership role in a global advertising agency. A key factor was the specialization I chose during my master’s—Business Intelligence and Analytics, which was still a growing field at the time. I learned key skills like data visualization and SQL, which became the backbone of my career. I went from an intern to a director in just six years. My mindset was simple: take small steps forward. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
I focused on getting as much experience as possible, speaking up when I needed to, and pushing myself to keep growing. I made my way from an intern to a director by always aiming to improve and take on more responsibilities. With each promotion, my role expanded from doing the work myself to managing teams and building client relationships. The key was staying focused and always being ready to take the next step.
The biggest milestones of my career? Being selected to attend the Tableau Conference in Las Vegas as an analyst was a huge highlight—Tableau was a tool I loved working with during my studies. And, of course, going from an intern to a director in six years was a major achievement. It was the result of years of hard work, perseverance, and learning to believe in myself again.
When it was time to come back to India, Hyderabad felt like the natural choice because it was where our extended family was. Buying a house here and settling down felt like one of the best decisions I ever made—Hyderabad felt like home from the very first day.
My story isn’t just about overcoming personal and professional hurdles. It’s about learning to prioritize yourself, your happiness, and your mental well-being. I believed in the importance of standing up for oneself. My journey may have been difficult, but it taught me that with determination and perseverance, you can create the life you truly deserve.”