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Break the Bias with Smita Menon.
Break the Bias with Smita Menon.

March 14, 2022

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a) Introduction
I am an HR Professional invested in a career in Talent Development, Diversity & Inclusion. I started my career in the year 2000 right after completing my Masters in Human Resources from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai). In the context of returnship, my claim to fame is to having returned to a full time career not once but twice. And if you are talking corporate career then thrice – after a brief stint in entrepreneurship. In my current role, I lead Talent Development and DEI for Goldman Sachs in the region. I am a certified coach (PCC – International Coaching Federation) and a student of mental health. I am the proud mother of two daughters – they are my joy and pride and if I may say so I am a decent role model to them


b) Tell us about how you restarted your career.
I actually ‘restarted’ my career twice. My first break was an extended maternity break of nearly two years after the birth of my second child, and the second break was as a trailing spouse when my partner accepted an job opportunity abroad.


c) Did you face any bias when you got back to work and how did you #breakthebias?
More than external biases, my journey was often internal. While I was incredibly motivated and committed to my career - I had to keep reminding myself to trust my skills, the depth of my experience and body of work prior to the breaks. Fueling my confidence and rebuilding in contexts that were unfamiliar was a journey of grit and personal growth.


d) What were your reasons for going on a break?
When I decided to take time off to look after my children, I had limited family support at the time. My first break lasted for nearly two years before I felt ready to get back to work full-time. Four years later, I took a second break as a trailing spouse and travelled outside the country when my partner accepted a new opportunity. It was important to stay together as a family and I was optimistic about staying gainfully employed in a foreign environment. Unfortunately, the visa rules for trailing spouses in the country changed a month after we landed. I recall this as a highly disappointing phase in my life because what I had envisioned for my career was not taking shape as I had expected it to. During this time, I stayed in touch with my field by connecting with ex-colleagues in the country and taking on freelance consulting assignments. This was not enough for me and in a year I moved back to India with a clarity that I wanted to get back to a full-time investment in my career. This is when I joined Goldman Sachs.


e) During your time away how did you keep yourself updated with the latest skills and knowledge?
Learning and Connectivity – these were my key strategies. I enrolled in courses, picked up relevant certifications (for example, I completed my PCC level of coaching certifications during this period); took up further studies in the field of mental health – all of this helped me stay mentally agile and in touch with my subject. Second key factor was connectivity – I stayed in touch with ex-colleagues, met like-minded individuals in the courses I enrolled in. Ex-colleagues who were familiar with my work helped me undertake freelance assignments or introduced me to others who were looking for such talent. This was invaluable as a means to stay in touch with my career. Finally I think what really helped me was a clear focus that the break was temporary and I would always get back to my career. I often meet people who after a break are not interested in the original career they took a break from – while that was not my case, I think these strategies
help in such instances also. Conversations can change lives – and to meet new like-minded people, bounce off ideas etc are priceless even if one wants to venture into a new field.


f) What motivated you to restart your career?
Being happy! I am happy when I am productive, using my skills, staying financially independent, interacting with intelligent folks and having interesting conversations. When I am happy, I give my best at work, at home, and every sphere of my life.


g) Do you credit anyone for support on your restart journey?
There is a lot of gratitude for certain colleagues and managers who believed in me when I wavered and helped me manage the crests and troughs of returnship. Some time after my second returnship, I finally understood that the workplace system embraces me for the competence and commitment I bring to work and not the chronology of my career. If I felt good about what I bring to the table, that is the energy that was picked on. Will also credit my partner. His clarity of thought, support and faith in my abilities has been a constant presence
 

h) How has the restart helped you?
Today, I feel I am where I belong, both in terms of mind-space and life-space. My role and workplace is fulfilling not only professionally but I meet smart people every day who challenge me to keep growing as a professional and as a person. My contributions are relevant to the firm, but I also have the opportunity make an impact in the larger ecosystem while driving the firm’s agenda with Diversity Equity and Inclusion


i) Advice you want to give out to fellow restarters.
The first step is thought clarity – how important is your career to you and how would you like it to shape up. Secondly to not give up, rather show up! Stay in touch with your skills, do not switch off completely even during breaks. The key is also to manage expectations from yourself and others. When you add something to your life, make room for it by letting go of something else. It is important to not burn yourself out in the process. Be clear on your purpose and the rest will work itself.

Author

Smita

Smita Menonis the head of diversity, equity and inclusion, and talent development efforts within Human Capital Management at Goldman Sachs Services in India, based in Bengaluru. Smitare-joined Goldman Sachs in 2020, after her previous stint till 2019 as a vice president in the Goldman Sachs University, leading learning & development team for India. In a career of over 18 years, Smita has held global roles across talent Management and development functions in a variety of organizations. Smita earned a master’s degree in personnel management and industrial relations from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She is an ICF accredited coach, a student of Psychotherapy, and holds a keen interest in the space of mental health


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