The Power of Introspection: How One Working Mother Found Her Path

Join host Raihana as she engages in a raw and insightful conversation with Preethi Krishnamurthy, a Senior Technical Product Manager at Amazon, who shares her diverse journey spanning software engineering, adult learning, and product management, and the challenges and triumphs of building a life across two cultures.

 

Together, they explore themes of personal growth, the challenges of immigration, the importance of diverse experiences, and the impact of gender bias in the workplace. Preethi shares her journey from India to the US, her introspective moments, and the significance of building alliances and finding mentors.

 

What can you expect from this episode?

1. Hear about Preethi's diverse educational background, including degrees in computer science engineering, an MBA, and a master's in human resource development, and how she combines technical expertise with a passion for people and development.
2. Learn about Preethi's journey from India to the US, including her brief time in New York and her seven years in Houston, where she attended the University of Houston and started her US career.
3. Listen to her candid account of the H4 visa experience, which she describes as feeling like a "furniture visa", and the impact it had on her initial job search and sense of fulfillment.
4. Discover how she deliberately switched from the tech industry early in her career and later returned, discussing the limited exposure that influenced these moves.
5. Gain insights into the cultural nuances and personal challenges she faces as a woman of color navigating the workplace, including dealing with biases and the balance between humility and showcasing talents.

What can you gain from the episode?

1. Find motivation to overcome your own struggles by hearing Preethi's story of restarting her career at 28 as an intern and moving up in traditional industries like the drilling division at Halliburton.
2. Understand the importance of introspection and slowing down in a busy life, and how personal reflection can help navigate challenging decisions.
3. Explore the benefits of gaining a breadth of experience across different fields and industries, and how this diverse background can enrich your perspective and contribute to career growth.
4. Receive practical advice on building a support system of allies and mentors to help you navigate workplace challenges, including dealing with discrimination or speaking up in unsupportive cultures.
5. Hear a refreshing perspective on being an only child and raising one, challenging common stereotypes and emphasizing the role of upbringing and environment.

This episode of RAA Talks offers a powerful story of resilience, professional evolution, and cultural navigation.

Tune in to hear how Preethi finds joy in nature, working out, cooking, and spending time with her family, and her philosophy on experiencing, rather than just chasing, happiness.

 

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About Preethi:

Preethi is a Senior Technical Product Manager at Amazon, with a diverse background spanning software engineering, adult learning, and product management. She holds a degree in Computer Science Engineering, an MBA, and a Master’s in Human Resource Development, combining her technical expertise with a passion for people and development. Originally from India, she’s called the U.S. home for the past 12 years and now lives in Redmond, Washington, with her husband and seven-year-old son.

Preethi’s career journey is marked by leading large, global teams and driving impactful projects, but in her current role, she’s taken a step back from management to deepen her product skills as an individual contributor to focus on honing her product skill. As an only child, she’s embraced the joy and challenge of creating her own family and building a life across two cultures, finding strength and purpose along the way.

 

Please reach Preethi a