24 Comments
User's avatar
Karen Smiley's avatar

I enjoyed your story and it was fun to learn that theoretical cryptography is women-led! Thank you for sharing this (and thank you to Dinah for spotlighting it). And I’d love a copy of your book. I’ll DM you.

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you so much Karen, sharing you the book right away. What paths are you walking in your life?

Karen Smiley's avatar

That’s a long conversation ;) I’m looking forward to chatting with you!

Karo (Product with Attitude)'s avatar

Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring journey!

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you so much Karo 💜

Anastasia | ModernMomPlaybook's avatar

Loved reading this and learning more about you Apoorva ❤️

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you Anastasia, I would love to read your story and lessons too!!

Anastasia | ModernMomPlaybook's avatar

You inspired me to write them!

Code Like A Girl's avatar

We love reading them too.

Hilary | AI + Language Tech's avatar

Wow, Apoorvaa, I was smiling the whole time I was reading this article! As another woman who has been in tech for 10 years (but on a very different path), who also chose motherhood and marriage, it was fun comparing notes AND learning from you as well. Hard to pick just one, you provided so much generous advice in this article. But today in this moment, I think "Find Your Own Problems To Solve – Ownership Is Always Rewarded" really echoed my current experience. I hope this advice reaches, inspires, and encourages all of the people who need it!

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you so much Hilary, i’m so glad it resonated so much with you and you found similarities with your journey!! look forward to learning more about you as well.. 💜

Jaimey Walking Bear's avatar

Such a great piece. Thank you for inviting us into a little bit of your life journey, Apoorvaa. I love the cohesion and Flow you rediscovered in your scientific and technical work when you made space for music again — only for joy and cup-filling, not necessarily to pursue music as a career. Remembering to hold space for creative fun and idling is a lesson I'm constantly practicing. 🩵

Farida Khalaf's avatar

that a beautiful journey.

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you Farida

Lipgloss and LLMs's avatar

I stood and clapped. Thank you Apoorvaa, I have always felt that for me to succeed in the tech space, I have to give up things that make me, me. I dont! My interest in many things is my super power!❤️Thank you so much

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Aww thank you for your kind words! 💜

Your uniqueness is your unique gift to the world..

Hannah Ji's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing Apoorvaa! Your journey is so inspiring, and this piece resonated with me deeply. I’ve definitely felt that pressure to prove I belong by hiding the parts of me that didn't fit the standard mold of what is thought of as a software engineer.

Lesson #12 really stuck with me. I'm about to graduate and start my first full-time role, and I want to build a life where my career supports my happiness, not the other way around.

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you Hannah, and I feel you have exactly the right approach! We must put our life at the center ✨

And that's what will make your career stellar as well..

One | Ordinary | Mum ❤️'s avatar

Thank you so much for sharing! Kind regards~ Nina x

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you Nina 💜

One | Ordinary | Mum ❤️'s avatar

You’re so welcome! It’s so beautiful to read of women who stand proudly & completely themselves~ Motherhood, Tech, The Arts, Leadership, The Minority, & The Majority all at the same time. I really loved reading it, and thanks again for sharing ❤️

Dr Sam Illingworth's avatar

Thank you Apoorvaa for this fascinating and inspirational read. Your PhD journey in particular sounds amazing, and I love how you discovered the need to reward both sides of your brain (and personality) in order to truly flourish and be happy. 🙏

Apoorvaa Deshpande's avatar

Thank you so much Sam for your kind note, appreciate it 🙏