E34: She turned her tech passion into a dream role at Microsoft AI
In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Soujanya Abbaraju, currently a Product Manager at Microsoft AI, as she takes us through her incredible journey—from growing up in India to working with some of the world’s top tech brands.
Soujanya began her academic journey at Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (NIT Allahabad) and later pursued an MBA from IIM Indore, one of India's top B-schools. Her love for tech, evident right from college, set the foundation for her path to Microsoft AI.
Throughout the podcast, Soujanya shares how her interest in IoT and emerging technologies helped her craft a career that blends tech with business strategy. She also opens up about the challenges of JEE preparation, hostel life, the reality of placements during COVID, and how she navigated transitions across leading companies like Wipro, Citi, and American Express.
Her story is especially relevant for:
➡️Aspiring MBA candidates
➡️Tech enthusiasts who want to move into Product Management
➡️Women looking to break into tech leadership roles
Stay tuned till the end, where Soujanya reveals her 1, 5, and even 25-year goals, and how she envisions the future of Responsible AI.
If you’re someone who loves real stories of ambition, resilience, and vision—hit that subscribe button, because we’ve got many more incredible journeys coming your way.
Chapters:
00:01:23 – Soujanya's upbringing and family background.
00:05:06 – JEE prep, NIT experience & IIT selection process.
00:11:37 – Hostel life & cultural shifts in new cities.
00:17:25 – Her early passion for technology and IoT projects.
00:44:58 – Life at IIM Indore, COVID challenges & placements.
01:09:17 – Microsoft culture & the role of Responsible AI.
01:24:04 – Soujanya’s 1, 5, and 25-year vision.
And if you haven’t yet subscribed to the channel, do it now—we’ve got many more stories coming from India’s top B-schools and leading brands that you won’t want to miss!
#iimkebaad #iim #mba #tech #motivation #mircosoft #wipro #americanexpress #iimindore #nit #podcast #ai #artificialintelligence #productmanager #placement #interview #challenges #dedication #successstories #motivation