Can you share your journey into a STEM career? What initially drew you to this field, and how did you navigate your pathway into it? 

As a young kid, I was somewhat obsessed with space. In fact, my favorite quote when I was little was: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale. I was constantly staring up at the sky and wanted to become an astronaut when I grew up – until I took high school physics, that is, which I must admit, I found challenging and didn’t enjoy. I loved and looked forward to chemistry every week, though. And now that I think about it, I remember my older brother, who was a pharmacy student at the time, bringing home his organic chemistry molecular model kit one weekend, which intrigued me. Little did I know then, that I would eventually embark on a long and fruitful career in the pharmaceutical industry.  My path was as follows: I earned a B.A. from Rutgers University in economics and communications and upon graduating, joined Pfizer Pharmaceuticals as a sales representative. I went back to school part time and earned an MBA from Fordham University in marketing and communications and transitioned into an oncology marketing role. I joined Ferring Pharmaceuticals about five years ago, where I work with the most dedicated professionals and wonderful people, to help fulfill the dreams of aspiring parents. Over the years, I’ve been so fortunate to learn about various medical conditions and work with numerous colleagues to drive innovation and get the word out about life-changing treatments. 

Have you had a mentor or role model who influenced your career trajectory? How important do you think mentorship is for women in STEM? 

I’ve had lots of role models to look up to and learn from, starting with my parents and brother, who emphasized the importance of hard work and modeled strong work ethic early on; as well as great managers, who demonstrated leadership in ways I could observe and later model. I’ve been intentional about seeking mentors, too – leaders that I admire and who inspire me. I’ve openly shared my experiences, interests and aspirations with my role models and mentors and consulted them at various inflection points throughout my career. I think it’s incredibly important for everyone to be able to look up to someone, more so when there are fewer people like you in the professions and positions you aspire to, as is the case for many women in STEM.  

As a woman in STEM, have you encountered any challenges or barriers along your career path? How did you overcome them? 

As a woman born in India and raised in America, there have been times throughout my career that I’ve looked around the room and failed to see anyone who looks like me in the leadership positions I’ve aspired to. In those situations, I’ve been intentional about reaching out to others who have overcome similar barriers. I’ve taken on leadership positions in student as well as employee resources groups and formed connections. In doing so, I’ve found a community of like-minded people – men and women – who have acknowledged but haven’t accepted the status quo; and who are actively working to turn the tide for the next generation of leaders. 

What are key skills or qualities that you believe have contributed to success in your career? How can aspiring professionals develop these skills? 

I’ve remained curious, spoken up and controlled the controllables. My family will tell you that I’ve always been curious; I’ve leaned into that throughout my career, asking questions and constructively challenging along the way. In addition, I’ve always been outgoing; I enjoy meeting new people and engaging in dialogue, so I speak up, without worrying too much about whether I’m right or wrong. Lastly, very early on in my career, I was taught to “control the controllables” and at some point along the way, I learned to embrace that advice. I tend to focus my energy on the things I can do instead of worrying about the things I can’t. This quote always spoke to me: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr 

What advice would you give to young women who are aspiring to pursue careers in STEM fields? 

So much. First, find your sweet spot – the intersection between what you enjoy and where your innate and cultivated strengths lie – if you manage to do that, you’ll enjoy what you do and excel at it. Second, work hard; there is no substitute for good old-fashioned hard work. Third, seek out people you admire and who inspire you; share your ambitions with them, as well as the challenges you’re facing; learn from their successes and their failures. Third and most importantly, always be yourself. I was recently reminded of this quote by Oscar Wilde while attending an industry event: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”