In an interaction with Bfsinxt, Archana Elapavuluri, Co-founder at Pickright Technologies, a Wealth Tech Startup, talks about her views on her career trajectory, her thoughts on risk and how she likes solving challenging problems. She touches upon on she gets motivation and her journey so far. Edited Excerpts:
Q. How do you view your career trajectory? How exciting has it been for you?
My professional journey has been a fulfilling one. I started my career as a coder and architect. I love problem-solving and envisioning solutions that are used by many. The satisfaction you get when you work through challenging problems is something that I’ve grown to be passionate about. That’s what keeps me motivated and going!
Q. Has it been going as you had planned or was it more like you tapped opportunities as they came along?
In life either you create content or consume content at any point in time. No one can plan everything in life as every moment is dynamically influenced by many variables, but what you can be is prepared for the uncertainties and try to ride the wave and adapt. I strongly believe I’m an adapter rather than a planner.
Q. Not intending to stereotype, but as a woman, how has the journey been so far?
Fortunately, throughout my journey all my colleagues’ the majority were men who supported me in achieving what I wanted. And I also focused on getting what I want than bothering what others thought. I wouldn’t say the journey was easy but it’s worth the challenges I faced and faced every day.
Q. How do you view yourself? More of a risk-taker or risk-averse person?
I wouldn’t label myself, I’m against labeling, It all depends on the situation I’m facing. Based on different scenarios I become a risk-taker or risk-averse.
Q. Over the years, how has your risk-taking capability changed?
Experience can teach how to handle a situation but your nature cannot be changed. Depending on the situation, I handle risk better now.
Q. Where do you seek inspiration/motivation from to get going in what you want to achieve?
This is a very difficult question to answer, you get motivation from different people and different aspects. I get motivation from seeing a barren tree springing to life. I get motivation from my son who is always full of energy. I get inspiration from my mother who still paints in her 70s. I get motivation from my house help who comes to my house daily at 6:00 AM with a smile on her face doing the same routine work for years and still bubbling with life.
Q. Lastly, any advice/message to young women out there trying to rise in their career trajectory be it corporate life or entrepreneurship?
Always experiment. Never ever hesitate to do what you believe in. It’s ok to fail, you never know unless you try. So, just do it. Try it once, What maximum can happen is that it will fail. So just keep learning new, experiment, and remember to love yourself for what you are. Because being born as a woman itself is beautiful.
