Precisely Women in Technology: Meet Shweta

Although technology has historically been a male-dominated industry, more women are continuing to enter the field. With this, more resources and programs have emerged which help girls learn about tech hobbies and career possibilities. Precisely supports the growth of women in the industry and as a result, established the Precisely Women in Technology (PWIT) Program which supports women at the company. PWIT is a program for women that’s run by women and provides mentoring opportunities, community events, and more. Each month, a PWIT member from any area of the organization is featured to share her experience navigating the tech industry. Continue reading to learn more about Shweta Shukla, Senior Manager, Quality Management, who’s had a successful career in technology for 19 years.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in technology?

Choosing to pursue a career in technology was easy for me. Growing up in a small-town, Ranchi, in east India, I had two clear choices: engineering or medicine. I was very good in Mathematics and Physics, so I was naturally inclined to pursue Engineering. Choosing a career in technology has allowed me to align my personal interests with professional aspirations, providing a fulfilling and impactful career path.

Who has been your greatest professional mentor? What’s one thing have you learned from them?

There have been several people in my career over the years that have helped me shape my leadership qualities, including a few exceptional leaders at Precisely who I work with regularly. Consistent advice that I’ve received from them all is to be curious, persistent, and continuously improve.

What’s the biggest risk you took in your career? What was the reward?

With the internal mobility program at Precisely, I’ve had access to opportunities that might not have happened otherwise. I moved to the ‘Data Integrity Suite’ team through this program, and it’s been an exceptional learning experience for me. It was a big risk because I was stepping out of my comfort zone to explore new technology and a new team. Although it was a risk, it’s been very rewarding as I’ve had the opportunity to build a new team and define the delivery processes. It enabled me to work through difficult situations and to challenge myself. It’s also made me more confident in my ability to take on new roles within the organization.

As a woman, what challenges have you faced in the technology industry? How have you overcome them?

As with most working mothers in any industry, managing the work-life balance is challenging. Growth in IT is often related to staying up to date with the latest technology and this requires dedicating time just to this kind of research. Achieving this while supporting and monitoring my children’s education has been an interesting challenge to navigate. However, I’m blessed to work in an organization where we have exceptional leaders representing us and our cause and they understand these challenges. The support and mentorship extended to women through various programs, trainings, and events has helped me personally to network and grow as an individual. And for this, I am truly thankful to Precisely.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? How do you apply it to your personal and professional life

The best advice I’ve been given is to “step out of my comfort zone proactively” for continuous learning and growth. This advice has profoundly influenced my personal and professional life, shaping my approach to challenges, opportunities, and growth. It’s helped me manage different products and take on new projects, giving me the opportunity to work with new people in the organization and learn from them.

What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to younger women entering the industry?

One piece of advice I’d offer to younger women entering the technology industry is to stay true to their values and be open to change. This will help them seize opportunities that are aligned to their strengths which will make them enjoy and take pride in the work they deliver.

As a successful woman in technology, what’s one thing you do to pay it forward and advocate for other women in the field?

Within my sphere of influence, I act as a sponsor and champion for the women on my team.

Apart from mentoring, I enjoy my one-on-one conversations with women to help them identify their strengths and understand their aspirations and interests, which we then align to suitable projects. I use every opportunity to advocate for women in important meetings and recommend them for the recognition they deserve.

Learn more about us on our Careers and Culture page.