From Break to Break Through: Resuming your Career with a Strong Comeback

The India Women Returnship Program aims?at providing opportunities along with a supportive and inclusive environment to women who are returning to work after a break.

Meet Ambika Handa , who is working with us as a Director – Big Data Analytics & Engineering. Her primary focus is on partnering with the global team to define, design, and implement the Revenue Optimization Framework with a particular emphasis on building scalable products for economic optimization. Ambika shares with us her career journey at Mastercard.

Q1: Why did you choose to work at Mastercard?

As an experienced professional with a keen interest in the intersection of financial services and technology , I was drawn to Mastercard because of its established reputation as a leading organization in the field. The company's demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where women are encouraged to thrive and excel in their careers, particularly piqued my interest.

Throughout the interview process , I was impressed by Mastercard's emphasis on investing in its employees' professional growth and development, while providing ample opportunities for career advancement. I was also struck by the team's collaborative spirit and dedication to driving innovation and developing cutting-edge solutions for the payments industry.

Overall, I viewed Mastercard as an organization where I could continue to enhance my skills, knowledge, and expertise while making meaningful contributions to an industry that I am passionate about. Moreover, I was enthused about the prospect of being part of a supportive and inclusive team culture that places a premium on diversity and gender equality.

Q2: How has Mastercard's culture supported your career growth and development?

Mastercard's corporate culture has been a significant driver of my career growth and development as a female leader within the organization. The company's unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has created an environment that is both welcoming and empowering. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and perspectives has broadened my horizons, enabling me to better understand various markets and customer needs.

Returning to work after a career break can present unique challenges, but Mastercard's supportive culture has helped me navigate this transition successfully. The company's flexible work arrangements, parental leave policies, and other support programs have allowed me to manage my work and personal responsibilities effectively. Moreover, Mastercard's focus on continuous learning and development has allowed me to enhance my leadership skills and technical expertise. This emphasis on ongoing professional development has provided me with a solid foundation to successfully tackle new challenges and opportunities as they arise and keep me up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies.

In conclusion, I attribute my professional growth and development as a woman leader within Mastercard to the company's nurturing culture. Despite coming back to the corporate world after a career break, I have always felt valued & been provided an equal number of opportunities within my role. I am grateful for the support and opportunities that leadership has provided me and committed to contributing to the company's ongoing success while fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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Q3: How have Mastercard's programs supported aspects of your professional or personal life? (i.e. BRGs, mentoring, flex work, benefits, etc.)

As a female leader at Mastercard, I have had the privilege of participating in various programs that have significantly contributed to both my personal and professional development. Mastercard's unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in the broad range of programs and initiatives available to all employees.

On a professional level, Mastercard has afforded me numerous opportunities to enhance my skills and expertise. For instance, I have had the privilege of attending conferences and training programs, which have helped me broaden my knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends. I have also received support from mentors and coaches who have assisted me in identifying my strengths and areas that require improvement, thus enabling me to develop strategies for enhancing my performance.

On a personal level, Mastercard provides several benefits that prioritize work-life balance, health, and wellness. These include flexible working arrangements , parental leave policies, and access to resources such as mental health support and fitness programs. These benefits have facilitated my ability to manage the demands of work and personal life more effectively and have contributed to my overall well-being.

In summary, I am extremely appreciative of the support and resources that Mastercard has provided me with, which have been instrumental in helping me attain both my personal and professional goals.

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Q4: What do you like most about working at Mastercard and why?

Mastercard is known for its culture of innovation , which encourages employees to think creatively and push boundaries in the payment industry. This culture provides opportunities for employees to work on exciting projects and make a meaningful impact in the company and the industry.

In addition to innovation, the company places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Mastercard values the unique perspectives and experiences that each employee brings to the table, and provides various resources such as employee resource groups , training programs, and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion.

Overall, Mastercard's innovative, diverse, and growth-focused culture is highly valued by employees.

Moreover, Mastercard is committed to employee development and growth, offering numerous opportunities for career advancement through training programs, mentorship, and leadership development programs. The company also empowers employees to take ownership of their professional development by setting goals and actively seeking out learning opportunities.

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Q5: Why should someone consider joining Mastercard?

Mastercard offers several compelling reasons why individuals should consider joining the company. Firstly, Mastercard is a leading innovator in the payments industry, providing employees with opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology and solutions that shape the future of payments. Second, Mastercard's culture is diverse, inclusive, and values the unique perspectives and backgrounds of its employees. Third, Mastercard prioritizes employee development and career growth, providing various learning and development programs and opportunities to advance within the company. Finally, Mastercard is a socially responsible company committed to making a positive impact in the world through sustainability, financial inclusion, and philanthropy initiatives. Overall, joining Mastercard presents employees with the chance to work on meaningful projects, expand their skills and careers, and create a positive impact on the world.

Our Women Returnship Program is an integral part of our success, and we hope to find opportunities to make you an asset to our team.

Interested in joining our team?

We’re growing! Search for and apply to our open positions?here.

Also, stay informed about news, events, and opportunities at Mastercard by?joining our talent community.

Read 10 reasons to join Mastercard in Pune, India .