My journey from Aerospace Engineer to Product Manager

Did you ever imagine a world without change? Unimaginable right? Perhaps we could have been still concerned only about our next meal, water, shelter, and clothing (optional :)) Perhaps more like animals, never would have thought beyond that and missed the human evolution to the Industrial Revolution. We would not have come so far in many lanes of development. 

Therefore, change is important for new learning, progress, and development. 

                                   

"The only constant in life is change." 

                                                                         - Heraclitus (Greek Philosopher)

Fortunately, this realization came to me at a very early stage of my life. I was always open and fearless to try new things in my life which initially started with changing flats and schools, at some stage, it was more about changing countries and exploring new roles.

My passion in childhood was aircraft, astronauts, and space. Even today I enjoy watching aircraft flying in the sky like a giant fire-blowing dragon. In childhood, the craziness was even more to the extent that I often used to ask my dad to take me to Coimbatore International Airport  (the only airport in my birth city) airport watch tower which was opened for public visits just to watch Aircraft landings and takeoffs.

Eventually, my curiosity propelled me to pursue aeronautical engineering and later a master's in aerospace engineering at a French Grand Ecole. Life was going in full swing, and I landed in the dream company of many aerospace engineers. Yes, you guessed it right it was the "A" company (a constant challenger of "B" company) headquartered in Toulouse, France.

I was very content but after a certain time, my soul urged me to try new paths. After 8 years of aerospace engineering studies and professional experience.

 My seeking started and found a brand-new opportunity in a leading travel technology company and this time again another "A" company headquartered in Cote d'Azur, France, which was altogether different from what I was prepared for.

I had travel experience but never had travel technology experience. a new beginning, new learnings, taking serious notes, and practicing it, felt like back to school.

Complete paradigm shift! changed brainstem from designing aircraft parts and analyzing aircraft structures to building flight reservation web applications. Not denying the fact, certainly tons of neurons developed in my brain at that time. 

Uncertainty filled my mind with questions " Where this unknown path will lead me to? Am I doing the right thing? 

Whenever I encounter self-doubt and concerns about the future, my remedy is to believe in karma ( action) and re-read the powerful verses of the Bhagavad Gita (Vedic Scripture) stated below:-

Whatever has happened, has happened for good.
Whatever is happening, is happening for good.
Whatever will happen, will also happen for the good.
What have you lost that you cry for?
What did you bring that you have lost?
What did you create that was destroyed?
What you have taken, has been taken from here.
What you gave has been given here.

What belongs to you today belonged to someone yesterday and will be someone else's tomorrow.

Change is the law of The Universe. 

                                                                             -The Bhagavad Gita

With the resonated verses of Gita, I summoned my courage and pursued the job relentlessly to the extent where I saw the fruit of it in the early stage - Moving to America (The land of opportunity) where I had just not evolved from Business Analyst to Technical Solutions Manager by designation. Personally, I evolved from being an introvert to an extrovert, a young lady to a responsible mother. thanks to my mindset of embracing change otherwise this would not have been a reality.

Back to roots: After spending a decade exploring many countries in the West I moved back to India for good. With my gathered knowledge and experience of the 3Ps "Products, People, and Places" I cracked the rigorous product management interview and commenced my new career chapter with the same "A" company- leading the travel tech space, but this time in India.

I was thankful for the opportunity that gave me the right occasion to inculcate some Indian culture and values in my kids' American minds.

If I have been asked, is this journey exciting so far? Certainly! no regrets about my past decisions. 

Will I continue the same journey forever? or till when? …..It is questionable until I get my next soul-urging need for change.

I am convinced my journey from Aerospace engineer to product manager re-echoes the importance of embracing change which unlocks many doors of incredible opportunities.

I have had the remarkable experience of living many different lives in one life because I like change and change likes me.

Key takeaway: Whenever you face uncertainty and fear during change, remember the profound verses of Gita and the lines of Heraclitus.