Career development: Shifting the conversation with Abhishek Srivastav

“I can do things you cannot; you can do things I cannot. Together, we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa

I began my career as a software engineer in 2010, and over the past 14 years, I’ve honed my skills in UI/UX and front-end development, focusing on delivering innovative and user-centric solutions. Driven by a passion for excellence and an insatiable curiosity for new trends and technologies, I constantly strive to push boundaries. Beyond technical proficiency, I also nurture my creative side through painting, sketching and graphic design. 

When I started my career, I was a quiet and introverted, struggling to speak up in unfamiliar situations or share diverse ideas with colleagues. Connecting with others was difficult for me, especially in new environments. That all began to change when I joined Sabre nearly six years ago and became involved in Sabre’s inclusion groups.

When I became a member of Ascenders, I quickly realized it was a group dedicated to driving inclusion by integrating it into daily behaviors, decision making and workplace culture. My sense of belonging grew as I worked with diverse team members, learning to understand and appreciate various perspectives, cultures and experiences.

The pandemic posed new challenges for our inclusion group activities with low participation, limited engagement and time constraints due to the shift to remote work. In 2021, I had the opportunity to lead the Brand & Marketing Committee for Ascenders, where I could combine my creativity and strategic thinking to re-establish the Ascenders group.

Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) are more than just corporate buzzwords – it is the foundation of meaningful workplace transformation. Since becoming the Chapter President of Ascenders Bengaluru in 2022, I’ve worked to overcome resistance to change, particularly from those who believed that diversity initiatives were less important in the remote work era. Rather than suppressing disagreements, I engaged in conversations to show how inclusiveness benefits everyone, not just underrepresented groups.

My journey has been one of growth, challenges and positive change. My focus has always been on building bridges between people, ideas and opportunities. Over the years, our initiatives have grown in scope and influence, making a significant impact on the organization. I continue to work towards fostering a fair and inclusive environment at Ascenders where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered.

To any young professional hoping to make a difference: Be inclusive. Inclusion brings together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and ideas, fueling creativity and innovation. Change may be slow at first, but every step forward counts.