Let's break access barriers together

When I started my career, I began to see the number of access barriers that existed around me for women. I was lucky to find my access with the support of mentors and leaders who taught and guided me. These important interactions shaped my career. It got me thinking…‘how can I help make the access wider and attainable by any woman?’ This question guides me when making decisions of how to build vLookUp further.?On that note, I’m very excited to say that a recent collaboration will help empower young girls in technology to build their STEM careers. STEM plays a crucial role in all our day-to-day lives and when more women successfully work in STEM, it helps prevent biases in these fields. It allows greater innovation and representation of all our needs. Our collaboration is a small drop in the ocean, but we are on a journey of increasing access for women, not just in STEM, but in diverse fields.

Warm regards,

Kanchana Gupta,?Founder, vLookUp

Starting from STEM, and blooming into leaders!

Empowering girls in tech with mentorship and real-world skill application

Girls studying STEM subjects is just one step forward. Helping them apply their knowledge and get recognized for it, is the next. vLookUp is proud to be associated with the first and only Girls in Tech* (Cross-Polytechnic) Singapore Committee to help develop and deepen young women’s interest in a tech-related career.?

We are also excited to be part of the inaugural Hackathon being organized by the Committee in June 2022. It aims to help participants be exposed to real-world technical problems, deepen their skills and apply their knowledge. As part of the initiative, we will provide tech industry mentors to guide the girls. The vLookUp mentors will suggest improvements, support the girls and help them take their ideas further. We thank those mentors who willingly agreed to join this collaboration!?

*Girls in Tech is a global non-profit organization focusing on engagement, education and empowerment of girls in STEM.

Women leaders in STEM: paving the way for greater things

We are continuously inspired by the many women STEM leaders in history and today, who broke?barriers and paved the way for women across the world and across generations! In our latest blog, we highlight some of them, from those who fought for their right to study medicine to those who worked on space programs while raising a child. Many women pioneers have only recently received their due and still others remain hidden. We hope to encourage more women leaders in STEM to shine! Read the blog here.

Mentoring young professionals to take the next bold step

?vLookUp mentor, Rameet Kaur, shares 3 traits that are important for young women:

1. Resilience: women need more of it, to keep pursuing their dreams and breaking free of limitations.
2. Ask for help:?we should be encouraged to put our hand up and request support, to keep going.
3. Develop knowledge and competence: there are no shortcuts in life and the most critical trait is putting in time and effort.

Read Rameet’s full article here.

New to vLookUp?

Mentees, here are some resources to help you make the most of your engagement:

• 7 essential questions to ask your mentor
• 6 ways to become a superb mentee
• Choosing your mentor: same domain, or different?

Mentors, here’s some guidance to support you in your mentoring journey:

• Questions for mentors to ask mentees
• Encourage mentees to AIM higher
• Give feedback that inspires change

Video watch

Breaking access barriers: the vLookUp story

In a multi-dimensional career spanning two decades, Kanchana Gupta has worked as a corporate leader, an entrepreneur, an artist, and a diversity champion. With varied life experiences that shaped who she is today, Kanchana talks about her vision to help every woman have the same access to leaders and mentors and get guidance without facing barriers. Watch as she deep-dives into her story.