Sthir Bodhi, in collaboration with the Women’s Institute of Technology (WIT), hosted an empowering online mentoring session for young women in engineering and computer science. The event provided a safe and inspiring space to discuss careers, confidence, and real experiences from the tech industry.

Opening the Space for Learning and Connection

The session was anchored by host Mahima Dominic, who welcomed students as they joined and helped them settle into an atmosphere of trust and curiosity. The interaction began by acknowledging the everyday pressures students face while preparing for careers, and set the intention for an honest, judgment-free conversation.

Guest Mentor: A Leader with 15+ Years in Technology

The primary resource for the day was Lubna, a software engineer with 15 years of corporate experience across telecommunications and Samsung smart TV technologies. Lubna shared the realities of working in the tech industry, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges young engineers will encounter.

Coding Is Not Enough — Mindset Is the Real Advantage

Lubna’s central message was that success in technology is shaped not just by coding skills but by mindset.
Key elements she emphasised included:

• A willingness to learn continuously

   

• Confidence to ask questions without hesitation

   

• Adaptability to switch technologies when the project demands it

   

• Clear communication and teamwork

   

She reminded students not to fear not knowing everything, but to stay curious and keep learning.

Learning Programming the Smart Way

Addressing common anxiety around programming languages, Lubna advised:

• Focus first on fundamentals and logical thinking

   

• Understand approaches to problem-solving, not just syntax

   

• Regardless of the language, core concepts remain the same

   

• Build confidence through hackathons, debugging practice, and group study

   

She encouraged students to explore job portals to understand which languages and frameworks are currently valued in the market.

Rejection Is Not the End — It Is Part of Growth

One of the most impactful segments of the session revolved around rejection and failure. Lubna normalised rejection as a universal milestone in every tech career. She encouraged students to:

• Take a moment to process the disappointment

   

• Bounce back quickly with renewed effort

   

• Avoid withdrawing or self-criticism after setbacks

   

Mahima echoed this advice, encouraging students to confront challenges with maturity and problem-solving.

The Tech World Is Bigger Than Coding

Lubna broadened the students’ perspectives by highlighting alternate roles in tech companies, including:

• Product and Program Management

   

• Quality Engineering

   

• HR and People Development

   

• Customer Experience and Operations

   

Her takeaway: in the first decade of a career, stay open to opportunities — interests and strengths evolve with experience.

Closing: Building a Supportive Community of Women Engineers

The session concluded with mutual appreciation for a space where young women could ask questions freely and receive real, lived advice. Students were encouraged to:

• Stay active in the WhatsApp mentoring group

   

• Turn cameras on during future meetings to build human connection

   

• Keep asking questions and seeking clarity

   

• Show up on time and with professionalism

   

Future interactive sessions are planned, including one on creating effective study strategies. The programme ended with a group photograph — a symbol of growing collective strength and sisterhood in tech.