Women Achievers – Pooja Patil, B&R Industrial Automation

My passion and willpower to overcome challenging tasks has helped me succeed in my career

Q. Could you tell us something about your professional achievements and career progression?

Changing roles in your job can be tricky, challenging but not impossible. These changes bring you out of your comfort zone, push you to your limits and test you at every instance. There would be many moments, which might lead you to call it quits. However, it would help if you remembered that nothing comes easy and the key to success lies in perseverance and hard work. It would help if you overcame only a psychological barrier to take the plunge. I have gone through many changes in my professional career, and I am proud that I was able to take these opportunities, which helped me grow and test myself on various grounds.

With a post-graduation degree from Science, I did my ‘Master in Business Administration. After college, I found my way into a well-known pharma company as Product and Business Development. I did my job well & got promoted quickly.

This was almost twelve years ago. Today, as I am here, at my desk, officially a full-time Marcom professional, ensuring my company stays ahead in an ever-changing market and maintains a reliable reputation amongst media, customers, and business partners. The transition is not easy, but as I proved it is not impossible either. In 2019, I was recognized by UBS for the best offline content campaign.

Q. What are the attributes that helped you to reach where you are in your career?

My unique attribute is passion for my work. Without passion, it is impossible to perform any task. Another trait worth mentioning is my willpower. I take on every challenge head-on and do what I need to accomplish my goals, even when the challenge is complex. Whenever I was given any new challenge at my job, whether moderating a technical panel discussion or arranging a press conference, I always enjoyed stepping up and demonstrating my skill at that new task. There are numerous occasions where my passion and willpower to overcome challenging tasks has helped me succeed in my career.

Q. How far have you succeeded in challenging the stereotypes?

I believe in my capabilities. I don’t let anyone take me for granted, and I know my rights and stand up for them always. I believe in equality and don’t let stereotypes and social norms weigh me down. I set ambitious goals, work hard and then explore steps in how to get there. The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step – so it’s essential to take the first step and then the next until you get to where you want to go. Talking to people, irrespective of their gender, who have walked a similar path and seek their guidance on the opportunities and risks helps win any situation. There is a learning everywhere in corporate.

Q. In both essential and digital functions, women suffered the repercussions of the economic and social effects of the pandemic. Your comments?

The pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life globally. It was not only that women suffered; it was the entire human race who suffered. Pandemic has had and will continue to have its effects on almost all aspects of life. As pandemic kept people at home, with schools and daycare facilities closed, the burden of domestic work has exploded for both women and men. Today, men and women both are fighting back at the traditional gender roles. Pandemic has taught humans so many aspects like going digital, contributing to household chores and most importantly spending time together as a family.

Q. What’s the message you want to send to young working women?

So far in my career, I have never shied away from taking any new responsibility, I believe that you get to learn from any challenge, and it widens your horizon. Shying away from challenges does not help you in personal and professional growth. By facing all challenges, you gain a rich experience. Always push yourself out of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of change. Changes lead to growth —professionally and personally. As they say change is the only constant. If you change jobs or take on a particular task, you’re definitely going to learn something new.