In 2019, while working at Adobe, I got a mail asking folks to volunteer to be a part of the Adobe Stall at the Grace Hopper Celebration, India. At that time, I had never heard of GHC and had just dismissed the mail. During lunch, I was talking about it to a colleague of mine. He was like, it's such an amazing opportunity, and spoke so highly of the conference that I was surprised something like this even existed. I went back and immediately volunteered to be a part of this amazing event. Little did I know that it would change my life.
My colleague and I used to travel really far for the conference and that's how our friendship started. Ever since we have been there for each other and pushed each other for the better and have been each other's pillar of support. Yes, you got that right. The first takeaway was an amazing friendship that has lasted years and that has helped both of us grow professionally and personally.
On the very first day, we stood in long queues for registration and I was in awe. Never had I seen so many women at once, and women in tech, who have achieved and created a place for themselves. During the keynote, I just took a few mins just to soak in the feeling of being surrounded by such amazing women, awestruck and excited. It was a such empowering moment that I can’t begin to tell the impact it had on me. I was so proud of all these women, of all that they had done, and their eagerness to help each other out.
During the entire conference, I got to hear from inspirational people, interact with so many women, and see the curiosity in their eyes and their passion for what they do. For once, I felt like, there is no limit to what one can achieve. Seeing women CEOs, VPs, and directors, and hearing their stories and how they believed in themselves empowered me to dream as well. I could imagine myself in their shoes, I could envision myself being successful if I put in the work as they did. It might sound like a small thing, but it's a powerful thing. To see women achieve and to hear them tell that anyone could do what they do if they believe in themselves made me believe in myself and reflect on what I wanted to do.
I went back home with so much positivity and started planning out my career. I decided to pursue Masters in Computer Science and upskill myself. Here I am, writing from Gainesville, in my second year of my Masters's in Computer Science at the University of Florida. I’m grateful for the opportunity Adobe gave me to attend the conference and to all the people I met there who inspired me to follow my dreams.
I made sure to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration this year and yet again got a wonderful friend. Hopefully, I get to write again to show the impact it had on me this time…
