Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Aarna's News | Inspiring and Uplifting Stories of Women In STEM
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Aarna's News | Inspiring and Uplifting Stories of Women In STEM
By Aarna SahuEducation
Aarna's News | Inspiring and Uplifting Stories of Women In STEM episodes
- 041 Sudha Mahajan: The Importance of Soft Skills in the Age of Automation
In this episode, we hear from Sudha Mahajan, a product executive with over 19 years of experience in digital media, e-commerce, marketplaces, generative and cognitive AI, and cloud technology. Sudha shares her career journey and offers advice to those who want to pursue a similar career path. She stresses the importance of being flexible and adapting to change, having a positive attitude, and finding inspiration in role models. Sudha also debunks a common myth about product management and shares her favorite books and resources. She emphasizes the importance of having principles and finding one's voice in the workplace, and the value of lifelong learning. Throughout the episode, Sudha shares her personal experiences and offers insightful quotes, including one from Mahatma Gandhi: "be the change you want to see in the world."
What You'll Learn:
- Be flexible in your career path as the role you start with may take multiple shapes and forms.
- Attitude of optimism and being positive is crucial to succeeding in any career.
- Finding your voice and defining your principles is important in the beginning of your career.
Resources Mentioned:
- Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
- Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Sean Covey
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
34 min - 040 Dianne Eldridge: Your Superpower Is Your Secret Weapon & Double Down on Your Strengths
Have you ever felt lost or unsure about what direction to take in your career? Do you struggle to identify your strengths and how to leverage them for success? In this episode, we explore the concept of the "superpower" and how knowing yours can be the key to unlocking your full potential. Meet Dianne Eldridge, a Worldwide Business Development Leader in Industrial AI/ML at AWS and also a part of the Advisory Board for Women’s Energy Network Houston who discusses the importance of personal capital and why investing in yourself is crucial for long-term success. We then delve into the idea of building your personal brand and how your superpower can help you stand out in a crowded job market. Join us as we explore the power of your superpower and how to leverage your strengths for career success. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make a change, this episode is packed with actionable insights and advice to help you unlock your full potential.
What You'll Learn:
- The importance of identifying your superpower.
- The power of personal capital & how to invest in yourself and your skills is essential for long-term career success.
- How to build your personal brand & leverage your superpower to help you stand out in a crowded job market.
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
38 min - 039 Payal Gupta: The Importance of Passion and Inclusivity in a Career
On this episode of Aarna's News, we sit down with Payal Gupta, the Senior Project Manager for Project Kuiper at Amazon, where she leads the team responsible for building and deploying a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to bring affordable broadband to communities around the world. With over 20 years of experience in IT and technology functions, Payal has faced her share of challenges in breaking gender barriers in engineering, and she shares her inspiring story of overcoming societal expectations and pursuing her passion. Payal also provides insights on how to succeed in the tech industry, the importance of inclusivity and mentorship, and how to navigate a non-linear career path. Join us for an engaging conversation with an accomplished leader!
What You'll Learn:
- It's important to be passionate about your chosen career and build it around your interests.
- Engineering is not a solitary profession, and engineers work with many people to address real-world user needs.
- Embrace the fact that a career path will never be linear and learn as much as you can from the people along the way.
Resources Mentioned:
- The future of computing: a conversation with John Hennessy
- Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
- The art of innovation by Guy Kawasaki
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
26 min - 038 Nithya Ruff: The Importance of People Skills & Finding Your Voice
Welcome to the latest episode of Aarna's News, where we feature inspiring female professionals in the STEM fields. In this episode, we are honored to have Nithya Ruff, Head of Open Source Program Office across AWS and Amazon, and Chair for the Linux Foundation Board of Directors. With over 20 years of experience in the technology field, Nithya shares her career journey, offering tips for success and debunking myths about coding. She also discusses the importance of mentors and sponsors, and the books and resources that have helped shape her career. Tune in to hear her inspiring story and gain valuable insights into the tech industry.
What You'll Learn:
- How to manage your own career & take risks to explore different opportunities.
- The importance of people skills in STEM & how to build upon it.
- The 2 key factors of success in one's career.
Resources Mentioned:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
26 min - [Episode 45] Dhana Bala: Navigating the Tech Landscape & Embracing Change
In this episode of Aarna's News, we welcome Dhana Bala, the Chief Technology Officer at PacerPro who emphasizes that it's never too late to change your passions and that it's okay for your interests to evolve over time. She encourages individuals to prioritize their passions over job security and to make adjustments in life to pursue what truly drives them. Throughout her career, Dhana has embraced new opportunities and pursued diverse paths. She believes in trying new things along the way, which has allowed her to gain valuable experiences in various fields. Dhana's journey teaches us the importance of being open to new challenges and continuously seeking growth. Join us as Dhana shares her wisdom and experiences, offering a unique perspective on career development, the pursuit of passions, and breaking gender barriers in the world of technology. This episode will inspire and motivate you to embrace change, follow your passions, and strive for success in the STEM fields.
What You'll Learn:
- Pursue new opportunities and be open to new experiences by adapting to new challenges.
- Job security is not guaranteed and is a testament to encourage individuals to prioritize their passions.
- The importance of staying updated with technological advancements.
Resources Mentioned:
- Return on Character by Fred Kiel
- Moral Intelligence by Fred Kiel
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
---Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aarna-sahu/support35 min - 037 Lise LaTorre: Adapting and Growing in Tech & Scaling in Expertise
Welcome to the latest episode of Aarna's News! In this episode, we interview Lise LaTorre, the Senior Director of Product Design in UI Systems, Global Utilities and Mobile at Sprout Social. Despite starting out in a completely different field, Lise shares her unique career journey through the importance of finding a career that aligns with your values and being adaptable to changes in the industry. Throughout the episode, Lise offers valuable advice for anyone looking to pursue a career in tech, emphasizing the need to continue learning and growing in order to stay on top of industry changes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to break into the tech industry or for those who are seeking to advance in their careers. So tune in and join us in this inspiring conversation with Lise LaTorre!
What You'll Learn:
- Why a journey steered off-course is more fruitful than a prescribed career.
- How to stay pragmatic and keep up with your professional community to stay on top of things.
- Why communication skills are crucial to engineers.
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
25 min - 036 Maria Pappas: Building Authentic Connections & The Power of Personal Values in Career Choices
Welcome to the latest episode of Aarna's News! In this episode, we interview Maria Pappas, the Chief Philanthropy Officer at The Tech Interactive. Maria shares her career journey, insights into the field of fundraising, and tips for success in the nonprofit sector. She also emphasizes the importance of personal values and mentorship in shaping one's career path. Maria's passion for building authentic connections and empowering individuals to make a difference is truly inspiring. Tune in to learn more about Maria's remarkable career and gain valuable insights for your own career journey!
What You'll Learn:
- How to build authentic relationships.
- How to be the person that people turn to when they need help.
- How to incorporate your personal values into the workplace.
Resources Mentioned:
- The Generosity Network: New Transformational Tools for Successful Fund-Raising by Jennifer McCrea
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
28 min - 035 Paulette Altmaier: Practicality and Flexibility in Career Planning
In this episode, we sit down with Paulette Altmaier, a STEM professional who shares her journey of moving from engineering to business management, and her current focus on education technology and mentoring social enterprises. Paulette shares valuable advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in STEM, especially women, and debunks common myths about the industry. Emphasizing the importance of being practical about growth areas and being open to learning new things on the job, she also stresses the need for women to promote their accomplishments and not limit themselves by thinking of themselves as "women in STEM" but rather as STEM professionals. Join us as we learn from Paulette's insights and experiences, and gain valuable advice for anyone wanting to succeed in the world of STEM.
What You'll Learn:
- Why you should coin yourself as "STEM professionals" and not restrict yourself as a "woman in STEM."
- The importance of a work-life balance.
- How to figure out if your passions will lead you a successful life & when to know how to stop.
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
32 min - 034 Irina Geiman: From Complacency to Confidence
In this episode, we hear from Irina Geiman, a seasoned cloud technology adoption leader and Director of Cloud Security Architecture at the Royal Bank of Canada. With over 10 AWS Certifications and 5 other industry exams, Irina shares her career journey, advice on how to succeed in the field, and debunks common myths about cloud security. She also emphasizes the importance of asking questions and continuous learning, and shares her go-to resources for staying on top of the latest developments. Join us for an inspiring conversation with an exceptional Solutions Architect who is driven by quality and a passion for making a difference in the cloud industry.
What You'll Learn:
- How to be unique from the rest of the crowd.
- Why you should ask yourself in-depth questions & how to do it.
- The secret to a productive day.
Resources Mentioned:
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking Official Study Guide by Sidhartha Chauhan, James Devine, Alan Halachmi
- Hacking Kubernetes: Threat-Driven Analysis and Defense by Andrew Martin & Michael Hausenblas
- Advanced Penetration Testing: Hacking Docker by Mr Richard Knowell
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
28 min - 033 Sharadha Ramakrishnan: From Strength to Struggle & The Power of Perspective
In this episode, Sharadha Ramakrishnan, Engineering Coach at Digits, talks about her career path and provides valuable insights into the tech industry. She emphasizes the importance of networking and advises people not to limit themselves in their career journey while she also shares how she applied these strategies to leverage her strengths and overcome challenges as a woman in STEM. Stressing the value of education and interdisciplinary learning she encourages individuals to keep an open mind when exploring opportunities in the STEM fields. Listen in to gain inspiration and valuable insights from her journey.
What You'll Learn:
- Why it's okay to go back to school.
- The stigmas that come with being an Engineering Coach.
- How to find places that you'll be valued in.
Resources Mentioned:
- Relationships 2.0: The Power of Tiny Interactions
Contact Us:
- https://youtube.com/@aarnasnews
- https://www.instagram.com/aarnas_news/
38 min
About Aarna's News | Inspiring and Uplifting Stories of Women In STEM
From the publisher's feed
Hosted by Aarna Sahu, Aarna's News is a collection of stories from brilliant women themselves in the STEM industry--that is, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and everything in between.…
Here, we dive deep into the women who've changed the workforce and also inspire others to take on these fields. Episodes every Monday at 7AM PST.