Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone!

Participating in Mastercard's Discovery Days was a thrilling journey that pushed me to embrace change, step out of my comfort zone, and take thoughtful risks. Organized by Mastercard's Cyber and Intelligence team and Mastercard Changeworks?, this year's challenge revolved around a two-day #hackathon in support of Futurpreneur, aligning perfectly with the spirit of #DoingWellByDoingGood. The event provided a unique opportunity to address tech, data, and business strategy challenges identified by Futurpreneur in month-long series of experiences.

?As a technology recruiter at @Mastercard, my daily role involves identifying and recruiting top talent. However, this hackathon offered a chance to explore new horizons. It was part of the Discovery Days initiative, encouraging individuals to take ownership of their career growth and navigate uncharted waters.

This experience taught me valuable lessons about the significance of diversity in teams, pushing boundaries, and the power of collaboration. Here were my key takeaways:

We all create value regardless of our role

The initial stages of Discovery Days introduced me to my team members, all of whom possessed remarkable technical skills. While their expertise was impressive, it initially left me questioning my contribution to the team. As someone without coding experience, I doubted the value I could bring to our tech solutions. Nevertheless, as the hackathon progressed, I realized that my understanding of Mastercard's products and services was invaluable. I served as a bridge between technical solutions and practical applications, guiding the creation of user-centered strategies.

Team diversity takes new ideas to greater heights

The second day of the hackathon involved intense coding, data analysis, and design refinement. Though I wasn't directly involved in the technical work, I actively participated in brainstorming and feedback sessions. Witnessing my team transform ideas into working solutions emphasized the importance of diversity in a team.

Embrace new experiences and step out of your comfort zone

As the hackathon neared its end, I faced a new challenge – delivering a two-minute pitch to the judges, despite not fully comprehending the technical aspects of our solution. This daunting task provided another opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, and I embraced it with determination. In the pitch, I emphasized our innovative technical solutions and their real-world applications.

We highlighted the value we had created for Futurpreneur entrepreneurs by combining technical expertise with the leverage of Mastercard's products. The hackathon concluded with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie. We not only created innovative technical solutions but also learned valuable lessons about collaboration, pushing boundaries, and the power of diverse teams.

Participating in the hackathon reinforced the importance of embracing new challenges, even when they seem intimidating. True growth and innovation occur when we dare to go further. I entered the hackathon with trepidation but emerged with a sense of achievement and newfound confidence.

Own your career, it’s yours to discover

This journey also emphasized the significance of owning one's career. While I may not have been a coding expert or a data scientist, I possessed a unique skill set and perspective that could contribute significantly. Recognizing and harnessing one's strengths is crucial, as they can make a substantial impact in unexpected ways.

The hackathon was not just about developing technical solutions; it was a transformative experience that reminded me of the power of teamwork and collaboration. It was a testament to the idea that exploring beyond our safe space can lead to personal and professional growth.

Looking beyond technical skills

In the context of hiring for success, this experience has broadened my perspective. It's not just about technical skills; it's also about finding candidates who can integrate seamlessly into a team's dynamics. Adaptability, effective communication, and the ability to contribute to a collaborative environment are just as crucial as technical proficiency.

Take thoughtful risks and own your career growth. By stepping out of familiar territory and embracing the unknown, I discovered that everyone has something unique to offer, and growth occurs when we challenge ourselves. The hackathon experience exemplified the power of diverse perspectives and the value of teamwork, reinforcing the idea that success often lies just beyond the boundaries of familiarity. It was a journey of self-discovery, innovation, and empowerment, leaving me with a lasting lesson: the path to personal and professional growth is paved with steps outside of our comfort zones.

Interested in joining the Mastercard team?

Browse open roles and apply today.

Amazing Hackathon team Iru Shah, Felix Fedalies, Savio Salema, Hemant Lahoti

#DoingWellByDoingGood #owningyourcareer #thoughtfulrisktaking #ForceForGood #WeAreMastercard #MastercardWay

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