#IAmFutureReady: A Transformative 5-Day Journey with Infosys Foundation

In the first week of February, I had the incredible opportunity to attend a five-day workshop named #IAmFutureReady, organized by Infosys Foundation at the Infosys SEZ Campus, Hyderabad. Along with 200 other STEM students, I experienced a meticulously curated program aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and corporate realities—shaping us into future-ready leaders.

?Day 1: A Journey of Inspiration and Self-Discovery

The workshop commenced with an inspiring session by Sudha Murty Ma’am, who shared her extraordinary life journey. Her words resonated deeply, leaving us empowered and motivated to pursue excellence with resilience and integrity.

Following this, we attended a session titled “I, Me, Myself (Invest in Yourself)” by Begi Margret, where she introduced us to the SHARP Model (Strength, Health, Absorption, Relationship, and Purpose). This insightful framework emphasized the importance of self-investment in both personal and professional growth.

Next, Manisha Saboo led us through a vision board activity, helping us understand the significance of visualizing and mapping out our goals.

The day concluded with a powerful panel discussion featuring Sangeetha Yanamandra and Capt. Shanthi S, followed by an introspective exercise where we wrote a heartfelt letter to our 10-year-old selves under guidance by Simran T. and Manasa Muralidhar.

?Day 2: Harnessing the Power of the Mind

The second day began with a fascinating session on the Power of mind by Magical Rafi. He introduced us to the 50-30-20 Rule, emphasizing how we should allocate our time:

- 50% with people who are intellectually, physically, emotionally, and financially accomplished,

- 30% with our peers, and

- 20% uplifting those who need guidance.

We then engaged in various brain exercises, including left-right-both-hand coordination, clapping rhythm copying, three-balls juggling, and even iron rod bending—activities that challenged our cognitive abilities and mental resilience.

The day ended with an enlightening panel discussion featuring Dr. Vanitha Datla, Anuradha A, and Alagu Varsini V S IAS, who shared their experiences and insights on leadership and professional growth.

?Day 3: Resilience, Branding, and Communication

Day 3 was packed with impactful sessions:

- Building Resilience with Begi Margret, where we discussed the 3 P’s—Personalization, Pervasiveness, and Permanence—and how to transition from our comfort zones to the growth zone.

- The Power of Social Media and networking by Simran T. , highlighting how to leverage digital platforms effectively.

- Personal Branding by Aloka Banerjee Syam (Marketing Communications Leader), who helped us understand what makes us stand out in a crowd.

- Communicate to Influence by Sharmili Chadha (Image Consultant), reinforcing the idea that “Your most valuable asset is you.”

The day also featured a Q&A session with Sobha Mulukutla , CIO of Johnson Controls, followed by another panel discussion with Sai Sri (IPS-DCP), Sita Pallacholla(CEO, WeHub), and M Sujata.

?Day 4: Financial Management, Tech Insights, and Giving Back

The fourth day kicked off with an insightful session on managing finances and its importance by Amit Jindal (Febi.ai) and Prateek Jain, followed by an engaging quiz that tested our knowledge in an interactive way.

Next, we had a virtual Q&A session with Sumit Virmani, who emphasized how attitude beats experience, and learnability is constant. This session was followed by an engaging Tech Q&A with Heena Mehta and NIVAS PCS, where we explored emerging trends and technological advancements.

A heart-warming part of the day was volunteering with the HYD SEZ DC CSR Team, where we painted Tumble Tower blocks and wrote questions on them for grade 3-6 students—an initiative aimed at giving back to society.

Later, we attended a fireside chat with Narsimha Rao Mannepalli, Jennifer Larson (Consul General), and Vani Vangala, who shared their perspectives on the role of young professionals in shaping the future.

The day ended on a vibrant note with a gala event, filled with dancing, singing, and modelling.

?Day 5: Stories, Projects, and Campus Tour

The final day started with “Gems of Stories” by NIVAS PCS, where we learned valuable life lessons through impactful storytelling.

This was followed by a project presentation by us, where we showcased our ideas for the upliftment of women with constructive feedback from Vamshi Muthyapu and Begi Margret.

The program concluded with a campus tour, where we got an exclusive glimpse into the state-of-the-art infrastructure of Infosys.

Key Takeaways

The #IAmFutureReady workshop was more than just a learning experience—it was a transformational journey. The diverse sessions and interactions helped me:

? Gain insights from industry leaders and accomplished professionals.

? Understand the importance of resilience, personal branding, and strategic communication.

? Learn how to navigate challenges and push beyond comfort zones.

? Develop a growth mindset and the tools needed to thrive in the corporate world.

A big thank you to Infosys Foundation and Buddy4Study for organizing such an enriching and life-changing program! I am truly grateful for the knowledge, inspiration, and connections gained from this experience. Looking forward to applying these learnings and growing into a future-ready leader. ??

#Leadership #STEM #InfosysFoundation #WomenInSTEM #IAmFutureReady #InfosysCSR #FutureLeaders #Infosys