San-thought-shis

About Me

Where am I on my journey right now?

See, I know who I am but for some reason when someone asks me to tell them about myself I freeze. How can I fit 25 years of learnings, experiences, and thoughts into a short response. Humans are complicated, we have multiple layers but here’s my go at trying to tell you who I am.

I graduated with a B.Sc. Honours in Computer Science in 2020, and now work as a full-time software engineer. In the last few years I’ve been focused on growing my wealth while dealing with financial anxiety, meeting my career goals, improving my mental health, and learning how to navigate a major health scare. I’ve also, like many other first gen immigrants, been on a journey to reconnect with my roots. By sprinkling different parts of my culture into my lifestyle through my hobbies, beauty/ self-care routines, clothes, taking pointers from Ayurveda for my health, and learning what my religion and Indian heritage mean to me I’ve managed to find a sense of identity and belonging. When I’m not stressing about life I enjoy my free time by indulging in newly formed pandemic hobbies, mentoring, and volunteering.

Mentoring/ Panelist:

• Asian History Month Panel
• Panel Discussion: Software Development for Women’s History Month
• Ryerson Science Society — Fall Networking Night (October 2021)
• Ryerson — Women in Tech Event | Company Spotlights and Transitions from Classroom to Boardroom (May 2021)
• Technolgap — Industry Fireside Chat (January 2021)
• New Grad Panel (February 2021)
• Swathmore — Internship Recruiting Event
• Quantius Mentorship Event
• Provided technical and career mentorship to interns and junior developers at my place of work
• Provided mentorship for new grads and job seekers for a COVID-19 vaccine fundraiser

Social Impact:

• Worked with Quantius Foundation to organize a virtual video mentoring volunteering event, and a day of mentorship and workshops at my place of work for underrepresented high school students in STEM
• Worked with Quantius to organize a Women’s History Month small group mentorship event and panel for underrepresented students in STEM
• #GivingTuesday: worked with my local food bank to donate $300 worth of gluten free food and other needed items
• International Day of the Girl: worked with the and donated 10% of all sales made from Saffron Chest https://canadianwomen.org/about-us/annual-reports/changemaker-newsletter-novembe “Donor Spotlight: Saffron Chest”r-2022/#:~:text=donor%20spotlight%3A%20saffron%20chest
• Member of the Women in Computer Science team and founded the WiCS Student Ambassador Program which works with underrepresented high schools around the GTA and provides them with mentorship and leadership opportunities through technical workshops to provide them with the tools and confidence to succeed in a career in STEM