Thread by @Rajan_Sweta

Sharing #MyStory as an #international #immigrant a part of @IWS_Network #Voices without #Frontiers initiative! As a #scientist and an advocate for #workplaceequality, I believe in the power of stories. #IWS #VoicesIWS #SayItForward #WomenInspire #WomeninScience #WomenInSTEM

As a child, how would you have liked moving schools in new cities with different cultures every 2-4 years?

Growing up in the #IndianArmy, I absolutely loved it! By the time I was 18, we had moved over 9 times across 9 states! #Diversity #India #TravelTuesday #IWS #VoicesIWS

My #memories of #India include sunny days, welcoming people, rich heritage, vibrant colors, abundant fruits and mouth-watering street food! #IWS #VoicesIWS

#WWYD? Given a choice between #studying for career defining Grade 12 #exams or visiting the #historic #TajMahal with your family? #LifeChoices #RockAndAHardPlace #reallife

I picked.....

Hitting the books!

My family planned a visit to #TajMahal when I was in Grade 10 and I chose to stay at home by myself and study!!! Little know fact about me, I have never been to this well-known site which can see upto 70,000 daily visitors!!!

Growing up, I was one those kids with their noses in books! I #read voraciously, with an early interest in #Indian #Mythology and #Folklore spurred by @ACKComics and complemented by @BlytonOfficial @agathachristie @Jeffrey_Archer @KMFollett @AynRandInst and Georgette Heyer.

With my love for #IndianArmy and interest in #literature, I wanted to marry into the army (since women could not join) and teach #English. You Can Not Be What You Can Not See!!! I had never come across a female scientist in my life and had no idea I could be one! #IWS #VoicesIWS

In #India you pick your major after Grade 10! I scored A and A- in all 5 subjects (YAY!) & wanted to study #arts. However, there is a strong bias against arts & a strong bias in favor of #science. My #dad persuaded me to try science instead! #parents #lifechoices #IWS #VoicesIWS

And fell in love with #Biology!!! My #teacher was awesome! Thanks!

My #dad was a strong guiding factor during this time of my life. He investigated opportunities for me & introduced me to careers I had never considered. #RoleModel #Guide #Parents #LifeChoices #IWS #VoicesIWS

With decent grades in #chemistry, #math, and #biology, I applied to several #medical and #engineering schools. I had no clear idea of what I wanted, just that these were good options to explore. While waiting for exam results, I enrolled for an #undergrad in seed technology. Meh!

One day I skipped my classes & tagged along with a #friend to hers. I still remember #discovering this world of unseen beings which had the potential to impact us in so many ways! I was captivated & transferred immediately! #Microbiology #Explore #PeerPower #IWS #VoicesIWS

Question of the day: All you female #scientists out there. Did you choose #science or fall into it?

#LifeChoices #STEM #WomeninScience #WomenInSTEM #IWS #VoicesIWS #RealLife #SayItForward #CelebrateYourStory

I completed my #undergrad in #microbiology in my hometown Bangalore at a girl's college. After moving around all my life, it was a new adventure to be among people who had the same cultural roots. #GirlPower #GirlsInSTEM #WomenInspire #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience #IWS #VoicesIWS

A few of my friends were preparing for this exam called #GRE. Till then the idea of studying or working abroad was not something I had considered. @kiranshaw was an alumni from my college and inspiring a generation of young #biotech entrepreneurs. #IWS #VoicesIWS #Possibilities

Most #women in 🇮🇳 face a choice at this point. #Marriage or #highereducation. Though #education is strongly promoted, being too educated is frowned upon & considered detrimental to finding a husband, since a man will want a wife who is less educated! #IWS #VoicesIWS #Lifechoices

My #mom was a strong supporter of #education for girls and had always encouraged us pursue #highered as much as we wanted to. I am eternally 🙏to my #mom for bringing me up completely oblivious to the societal expectations of how "good girls" behave!!! #MomsRule #IWS #VoicesIWS

I enrolled into a Master's program in the hot new field of #Biotechnology!!! I was excited & engaged & loved learning about harnessing the power of #microbes for good! #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience #IWS #VoicesIWS

During my Master's my #parents were strongly encouraged by our extended family and friends to start thinking about my marriage. I was already over 21 and had a short window before I would be deemed too old and too smart to be a bride!!! #IWS #VoicesIWS #RealLife #WorkingWomen

Question of the day: Would you marry a stranger introduced by your family within 10 days of meeting him/her?

#ArrangedMarriage #LifeChoices #RealLife #IWS #VoicesIWS #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #India

Crazy as it sounds, that's exactly what I did, completely from personal choice! Having been surrounded by happy arranged marriages my whole life, it was extremely normal to me! #CulturalDifferences #ArrangedMarriage #INDIA #IWS #VoicesIWS #RealLife #LifeChoices #Travel

This also opened up a whole new world of adventure and opportunity for me! Since my husband was working abroad in USA, I joined him after completing my Masters. 🇺🇸#LandOfOpportunities #AmericanDream #International #IWS #VoicesIWS #Travel #NewHorizons

Living in a small university town without a work visa, my husband encouraged me to #volunteer with academic labs. With no confidence in my lab skills, I was reluctant. It is a path I wish I had explored more. #lifechoices #IWS #voicesIWS #SelfDoubt #WomenInspire #SayItForward

Instead, I took #GRE and started applying to colleges to pursue a second masters. As new #immigrants on a single salary, I had to be strategic about applications. I applied to 5-6 schools & was offered research assistance in one! 🚀⭐🎉
#IWS #VoicesIWS #GradSchool #WomenInScience

My #gradschool experience was not ideal. Though my advisor was a really nice person, he was removed from the lab. And I immediately started experiencing #bullying from a senior scientist. It lasted 3 years.

Sadly, my story is hardly unique. theguardian.com/education/2018…

I was new to the country, unfamiliar with its customs, had no family or friend close by. My husband was working in a different city. It was the most isolating experience of my life. I was close to #depression. #IWS #VoicesIWS #Challenges #Mentalhealth #SelfCare #WomenInScience

After 3 years, seeing sub-par results in my research and having no idea of the #bullying, my advisor let me go. This was my first experience with #failure and made me deeply question my capabilities as a #scientist. #IWS #VoicesIWS #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #WomenInspire

I transferred to a different faculty and took on a whole new project and spent another 3 years in school. I would not have survived without the friends I made during this time! #Friends #peersupport #IWS #VoicesIWS #WomenInspire #SayItForward #WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM

#Peersupport groups like @IWS_Network offer a critical resource for #immigrant and #international women. I did not know what I was experiencing was not normal. I did not know what my options were and no idea who I could reach out to. #IWS #VoicesIWS #WomenInspire #WomenInSTEM

#WWYD? If you experienced #bullying or #harassment in the workplace, would you...

#IWS #VoicesIWS #WomenInSTEM #WomenInScience #WomenInspire #SayItForward #CelebrateYourStory

Though my years in #gradschool were mired with personal, professional and #immigration #challenges, I have a soft spot for Logan. The winters are cold and long, but the people are some of the most gracious and inviting people I have ever come across! #IWS #VoicesIWS #WomenInspire

As soon as I defended my thesis successfully, I moved to California! After 4 months of applying for ~100 positions, contacted 100+ #scientists and #recruiters, I was offered a position in assay development. 😕? Yeah, I had no idea what it meant either! #Discover #IWS #VoicesIWS

My first job in Industry! I was excited!!! And on fire! I produced great results. The company processed my #workpermit and it came through! US #workpermits were in such high demand that it was a lottery system. I had a massive celebration that weekend!!! #IWS #VoicesIWS #PARTY

I few weeks later, I was let go with some of my colleagues. The US economy had crashed. Job options for an #immigrant requiring #workpermit jobs were extremely scarce. My choices were go back to school or leave the country! What to do???#Challenges #LifeChoices #IWS #VoicesIWS

I left the country!

Sometimes, the harder you try to make something work, the harder it gets. I had spent 9 years in US, traveled extensively and despite challenges, had grown to love the country and its people.

It was time to say goodbye. #IWS #VoicesIWS #LifeChoices

Before #gradschool, I had visited #Vancouver in September. And fallen in ❤️. I had applied for and had been granted permanent residency in 🇨🇦

I packed by belongings in my car, drove up I5 and landed in here. At the border, the official said - Welcome #Home!

#IWS #VoicesIWS

I was single, had no job, no family, no friends and (very) meager savings.😨

In 3 months I had the perfect job. 🙏@andremarziali
In a year, I had wonderful multicultural friends.
I now have a family and am a citizen!

Ummm... still working on savings!🙄
#IWS #VoicesIWS

🇨🇦 has been amazing to me!
Professionally, I have done some of my proudest work as a scientist @borealgenomics & worked with amazing people @C_D_R_D.
Personally, I found friends, family and a place to call home!
#IWS #VoicesIWS #DreamsFulfilled #ProudCandian #Vancouver

My #immigrant journey has not been easy. But it has been worth it! The #challenges have left me stronger & given me clarity and purpose! I am a strong advocate for creating #psychologicalsafety & #community in workplaces, & love #mentoring professionals in their #careerjourney.

Some lessons I learnt along the way:
♦️You are never alone. Find your tribe!
♦️Your circumstances do not define you. Know your worth!
♦️It's okay to be lost. Clarify your values!
♦️Speak up. Others are counting on you!
♦️Stay curious, explore. And always #leadwithlove!
#VoicesIWS