In the swiftly shifting terrain of technology, few luminaries shine as brightly as Soundarya Chandar, a distinguished senior product manager. From college in Bangalore to Silicon Valley, her growth record has made her a name to reckon with in product management innovation.
Soundarya’s Journey: From Code to Leadership
Soundarya’s academic odyssey started with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science from PESIT in Bangalore. Her first job out of college placements was with Target in Manyata Tech Park, Bangalore, as a software engineer. Her experience building the ecommerce backend for a large Retail company inspired her to further her education. She secured a Master of Information Systems Management from the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA. Her strong academics set the stage for her successful career.
In a career spanning over a decade, Soundarya has worked with marketplace platforms such as eBay, Yelp, and StyleSeat and is driven by her passion to help small and medium businesses leverage technology to build brands and grow their business. Currently, she’s a senior Product Manager at Instagram helping scale solutions for SMB advertisers.
Her journey wasn’t without its obstacles. Like many women in tech, Soundarya struggled with imposed syndrome, difficulty asserting leadership, and a lack of mentors. She overcame through building competencies in project execution, seeking support from allies in the workplace and establishing trust by consistently delivering on commitments. These challenges have only fortified her resolve and contribute to the multifaceted professional she is today.
Professional Milestones and Influence
Soundarya plays an instrumental role in revenue augmentation, focusing especially on Instagram’s growth for small to medium-sized businesses. Her experience at firms like eBay and startups early on in her career has honed her intuition for user needs and strategic insight, enabling her to create value for stakeholders.
But Soundarya’s influence isn’t confined to her corporate roles. She’s a fervent advocate for amplifying the presence of women in the tech arena. Through myriad platforms, including mentorship programs, panel engagements, and online discourse, she has been a beacon for aspiring women tech professionals. She recently gave a talk at a GirlGeekX conference on acing product management interviews that distills her vast experience of being on both sides of the interview panel over a 100 times. She shares actionable tactics for both active job seekers and those looking for help to plan their careers as a product manager. You can check out the YouTube talk here.
Lessons to Draw from Soundarya’s Journey
In addition to her views on success, Soundarya has a wealth of career advice for those venturing into the tech world. She advises, developing a sense of curiosity from school and college days. “When I was growing up in India, schools and colleges did not encourage critical thinking. However, this is an essential skill to develop as a working professional to maximize your impact. The ability to form an opinion, and be willing to share that opinion to move the ball forward and make good decisions is a differentiator. It took me many years to understand this and develop the confidence to share my ideas in a workplace.” These insights not only offer a glimpse into her professional philosophy but also serve as practical guidance for those looking to emulate her career path.
As we observe Soundarya’s impactful career, there are several actionable takeaways for anyone aspiring to succeed in tech or product management:
- Develop a sense of curiosity for products you use everyday. Think critically about the value it adds and what we could do to improve it. This helps build a muscle for product intuition and what users may want.
- Find allies at work who can support your journey to develop and build confidence in a workplace. Don’t be afraid to speak up and trust your intuition.
- Be honest with yourself about the work you enjoy doing and treat your career as an exploration early on. Once you find what you love doing, stick with it and double down on your passion.
Forging the Future with AI and Inclusivity
Soundarya has her sights set on trailblazing AI-powered solutions that could revolutionize small businesses. In her vision, technology doesn’t just change the rules of the game; it builds entirely new playing fields where gaps are bridged, potential is unlocked, and innovation never ceases. For example: creating content for social media via Canva, game plan for marketing via chatGPT-like solutions.
Beyond technological innovation, Soundarya is committed to leveling the playing field for the next generation of women in technology. Her goal is to spearhead a balanced, future-ready tech industry where both men and women lead, innovate, and thrive. In the next five years, she hopes to set up a mentorship practice for high school STEM to new grads entering the workforce to maximize their potential and impact early on.
In Conclusion: A Flourishing Legacy and Unwavering Philosophy
In the dynamic realm of tech, Soundarya Chandar stands as a beacon of transformative thought, tenacity, and trailblazing innovation. Her resounding influence, stretching from Target commerce solutions to Instagram’s business platform, has indelibly shaped the industry. Moreover, her steadfast commitment to mentorship and diversity adds a layer of inclusivity that enriches the entire tech ecosystem. As she forges ahead, her work continues to break new ground while reinforcing the essence of her guiding philosophy: The true barometer of professional fulfillment is the harmony and purpose one finds in their daily work.
For those inspired by Soundarya’s story and aspirations, the journey doesn’t have to end here. Stay connected and get involved by exploring her website www.soundaryachandar.com or following her on LinkedIn.