My 5 STAR experience

January is very special to me, as I joined IBM 5 years ago with loads of dreams.?

On a sunny afternoon with a coffee mug, if I try to recollect, how this 5 years has helped me shape up as a true professional, I really feel thankful to the wonderful people, culture and the numerous opportunities that IBM has offered.

?I am sharing my 5 STAR experience with IBM.

1. Learnt new technologies - Salesforce, Cloud, AI

Staying relevant is critical for our success. During the initial days, I felt overwhelmed with the mandatory learning, but slowly, I understood, how it became a habit. Yes, I started shining consistently year on year as a "Champion Gold Learner" which is achieved by 5% of IBMers worldwide. As IBM offers several learning curriculum, events, certifications, badges to help one to own their career, I picked up my areas of interest and diligently equipped myself on the learning paths, acquiring certifications and working on solutions in the newer areas.

2. Performed various roles - Transformation leader, skills Leader, Service Area Leader

In a world full of opportunities, if you have the skill, attitude and the right team, you can always deliver great results. Each of the roles which I performed, offered me several learning experiences; be it working with clients on their transformation journey, or working with the global QE Practice to set up a new talent framework or working on capability, capacity building across multiple service areas, and setting up new offerings. The leadership lessons learnt from these roles, spreads across technology, people, process and made every day an exciting experience. Every time, an opportunity comes up, I was all excited to take it up!

?3. Career Shift from QE to Salesforce

I am sure, just like me, many of you would have this question, of " What Next?". I am gifted with wonderful mentors at IBM, who have always wanted me to explore and take risks to feel engaged and connected with the job. In the new role, I am all excited to work with new teams, new projects and helping client's on their Salesforce journey.

?4. Opportunity to engage in Volunteering activities and D&I

What is more joyful then giving? Volunteering initiatives from IBM cater to various interests and I was able to contribute my bit to the society by engaging in STEM, Covid Support, Blind girl's education program etc. The cherry on the top was the CEO Volunteer Excellence Award.

D&I has always been very close to my heart. Various initiatives which we ran for D&I across the organization helped us feel energized, empowered and experience an inclusive environment at IBM.

?5. Mentoring & Talent Building

?It is only here at IBM, we see programs where executive leaders coach you, there are leadership programs supporting each stage of your career, and mentors who never say, "I am too busy at this time to take a minute to connect with you!"

It would be unjust if I don't call out programs which we ran at scale for building talent. Several fun filled Talent shows were conducted as physical and virtual events to promote a healthy culture of learning and innovation and I am personally so happy and proud to have had the opportunity to lead them for QE practice.

?Thank you IBM, and thank you all my friends and colleagues in IBM! Looking forward to embrace more challenging roles and to engage with such wonderful people.

Sharing my Service Anniversary Celebration Page.

?I still miss my dearest friend, Kavitha Narayanan! Thank you Kavitha for all the wonderful moments, which I will cherish for my life time!

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