Meet Himani Birole | Women in Tech | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Himani Birole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Himani, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Hola Socal community,

Since a decade, I have moved globally to multiple places for my work. I am originally from Bhopal, famously known as the city of Lakes in central India. I represent modern India where girls have broken stereotypical expectations and proven success all over the world. I strive to keep that momentum going as the rural part of India and the world still needs this change. World is changing and so we must learn to be more agile than anyone else.
I am career oriented and believes in modern values, yet I never forget my roots. Living in central India instills adaptability in me as Bhopal is surrounded by multiple culturally varied states and ideas. Adaptability helped me in navigating internationally and pursue my dreams. Bhopal has vast tradition of people and nobody is a part of mainstream. Unlike other countries, food in India is served in ‘Thali’ which has variety of food at one place, we mix it, customize, and eat. This idea originated from Indian way of thinking which is always accepting new ideas, customization and create. Indians are creative in their own ways.
Creativity, adaptability, and acceptance of new ideas made me independent at the age of 22. After completing Engineering , I took my first job in Mumbai and moved out of home for the first time in life.
Mumbai introduced me to various facets of life. The biggest takeaway from Mumbai is humility. Struggle , Success and the path between these two points is ‘life’. We all face events that alter our lives. Someone dear passes away, we get pick-pocketed, didn’t do well in exams, had a terrible break-up. Well, we fail. Whatever it may be, you stop, and you’ve missed the last train. Pick yourself up and brush off the dust as fast as you can because you are all you have and next train is arriving right after. I picked up this high energy vibe from Mumbai and started chasing my dreams with all I had and a little more. Mumbai taught me to dream big and be relentless at it.
They say if you can survive Mumbai city rush & population, you would be able to survive anywhere in the world. After 3 years stint, I moved from Mumbai to United states to pursue master’s in management information systems. I was living in Hoboken-NJ, few miles away from Manhattan madness. US intimidated me initially. Cultural shock and anxiety of being alone at the other part of the world was challenging. I braced myself up, recollected all the learning from Bhopal and Mumbai and went ahead relentlessly chasing my dreams. To complete my education, I scored well in exam and took up Student Loan without any mortgage and paid off the loan in just 1.5 yrs after my graduation.
For someone who liked peace and tranquility, I was right in the middle of chaos. Gradually, the chaos started growing on me. I found a rhythm in such chaos and built my life on my own. Currently I am residing in San Diego, California which is now home to me. I am working at Qualcomm in the software product development team and driving world class technologies for 5G, Connected Car, Digital Cockpit, Autonomous Driving, and Automotive Software. My everyday routine includes extensive communication for requirements exchange with the global OEMs which includes BMW, FERRARI, BOSCH ,Valeo etc and I lead the global teams to deliver the software on time.
I have accumulated portable skills with my experiences at the workplace such as relationship-building, business communication and entrepreneurial thinking. I volunteer for animal welfare and I am passionate about building path for girls education in STEM. I have been a speaker, emcee, and panelist at National and International conferences such as Watermark and Grace hopper conference. I also participate as a speaker in ‘Thinkabit lab summer program’ for high school students in STEM. I have won leadership Impact awards and recognition by VPs in Qualcomm. I feel that my upbringing and experiences are navigating this successful route and helping me in chasing my dreams. Onward and upward!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Taking Smart decisions at right time can cause ripple effect that changes your life. The best of our capabilities and strength are tested when we willingly take challenges in life. Having seen this in my family and acquired learning from them on how to solve the problems and being fearless to take big challenges with calculated risk, I decided to pursue my career in Information Systems management which gave me a global platform to analyze and learn IT business management.

I work with amazing engineers on latest technological breakthrough enabling a world that is more intelligently connected. Qualcomm is the world’s leading wireless technology innovator. At Qualcomm, we bring breakthroughs in 5G and Artificial Intelligence that gives a world of opportunity and benefit for a greater good. Intelligent connectivity in autonomous vehicles can lead to smarter cars and safer roads. Qualcomm’s 5G and AI breakthroughs range from enabling wireless connectivity in rural areas, building smart cities, cameras, to Snapdragon-powered NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Qualcomm coincide with my core values of inventing breakthrough technologies that have positive impact and meet society’s needs. I use my skills and abilities to manage multiple teams and achieve excellence. I am a multitasker and possess good project management skills which includes planning, organizing, executing, controlling, and leading to accomplish desired goals.

Throughout my life I had been flexible and courageous enough to take on the new challenges keeping timidity stranded. I always like to explore new domain be it sports, music or a new technology. This has made me an all-rounder and made me believe that nothing is impossible, you just need to be audacious. Having described the academic building blocks above, credit is also due to extra-curricular activities. I am an avid painter and always love to explore different facet of painting. I can do sketching, oil painting at canvas, glass painting, fabric painting, Nib painting, and sand painting. I share equal interest in craft work which I inherited from my artist Mother and Grandfather. My Grandfather had designed National Award winning and globally recognized tableaus in India. Keeping the legacy alive I try to create various craft work with thermocol, Rangoli art form on floor with powdered lime stone and colored sand and Henna on hands. I have also tried my hands on embroidery as a part of my hobby.

What it is like to be a women in STEM? What are the challenges women are facing in Stem?
Sharing some stats from a session with Indira Nooyi Women are 70% of high school valedictorians, have been earning more bachelor’s degrees then men since 1982, more master’s degrees than men since 1987 and more doctorate degrees than men since 2006 and still make an average 82 cents for every dollar that a man makes. Women earn 35% of bachelor’s degrees in STEM disciplines but own just 5% of tech startups. Statistics show tech companies led by women achieve a 35% higher ROI than firms led by men and female entrepreneurs deliver 20% more in revenues as compared to their male counterparts. And still, Women make up only 45% of employees at S&P 500 companies that account for just 5% CEO and 11% of top earners.

We all know that these numbers are moving slowly, and society is changing their mindset, still it needs a Push. I volunteer for girls in STEM leadership program and trying to put an end to those unconscious and conscious bias and encourage people to seek Skill and find capable people irrespective of their ethnicity and gender. This will make corporate world- a better place.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Confucius has urged his followers to go with their hearts wherever they go. Interestingly, while this wisdom can be taken in the context of travelling and being eager travelers instead of just tourists; I am of the opinion that it extends to the underlying thread that holds one’s interests together – one must be passionate in any or all activities they engage themselves in. While balancing my love for travelling, there are also other multifarious interests that I juggle my time with, in addition to academics which has been the focal point of my life thus far.

I love Southern California and I am fortunate to call San Diego my home. I am an avid traveler and I run a travel blog at Instagram called “travel_logs08”.

My favorite spot in San Diego is Torrey pines gliderport during sunset. I am an avid fan of beach hikes and Torrey pines hike is my favorite which leads to Blacks’ beach.

Pacific beach and Coronado Island are amazing beaches where you can spend a day with your friends or family. I recommend Kayaking at La Jolla cove where you can see leopard sharks in the ocean. Scripps coastal meander trailhead is another favorite spot for an evening stroll.

In addition to being a traveler, I am a bon vivant who loves to explore Haute Cuisine and drinks. Socal has myriad food places. I would like to emphasize on both budgeted and upscale dining experience for my readers. I like George’s at the cove in La Jolla. This Mexican restaurant is a perfect place for a relaxing Sunday brunch with Pacific Ocean views.

I am a fan of Italian food and ‘Cesarina’ is my Go-to place. Do not miss their live Tiramisu experience.
I am fond of eating Tacos at local food trucks near the border. They are authentic and freshly made. ‘Taco Stand’ is inspired by the taco stands of Tijuana and many adventures along the Baja Peninsula so do not miss out on their Tacos and Burritos too.

‘Whiskey Girl’ at Gaslamp Quarter and ‘PB Shore club’ are my recommendation for Saturday night with your group of crazy friends. If you are a Wine enthusiast, then do visit ‘Faulkner Vineyards’ in Temecula and explore local wines.

Spanish Architecture Revival at Balboa park, San Diego Zoo, US midway warship museum, Point Loma are good places to explore the history of California and get amazing clicks for your social media profiles.

I definitely take my guests to Los Angeles which is only 2 hours drive from San Diego. Hollywood Sign hike, Santa Monica Pier and Beverly Hills drive are my favorite spots in LA. There’s a lot to do in LA and talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ellen DeGeneres are worth attending. I was fortunate once to get a ticket for Ellen DeGeneres talk show which was super fun and exciting.

If you have an extra day I would recommend taking a getaway to Catalina Island for water sports, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Lastly, if you are a fan of Star Gazing- ‘Anza Borrego Desert State park’ is a haven to enjoy night sky and glittering milky way galaxy. Meditate and manifest !!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe that the past is a preparation for the future and hence thus far, each applause, appreciation, win have etched the trail towards excellence for me.

Huge shoutout to my grandfather- ’Late Mr. T.S. Birole’. His values, passion and respect for society resonates with me.

I credit my parents ‘Mr. B.B. Birole and Mrs. Kiran Birole’ for instilling the work ethics that makes me the person I am today. My Dad taught me to dream big and perseverance towards achieving those dreams. My Mom is an artist and I have inherited her out-of-the box creative instincts. Creativity enables problem solving and decision-making ability in me. Honesty, respect for others, self-reliance and independence of thought are my core values that I’ve inherited from my parents.

Special shoutout to my uncles ‘Mr. P.T.Birole’ and ‘Mr. Anil Malviya’ who have been my biggest supporter and role models throughout my life. ‘Self-trust is the first secret of success’ – the mantra I have received from them. A big thanks for their guidance, love, care and support.

Big Shoutout to my sister ’Harshita Birole’, extended family , friends and colleagues in India and US for instilling the progressive outlook and ambitious end goals and supporting me at every part of my journey.

I would also like to thank my teachers and mentors for inspiring me and believing in me.
“Aut inveniam viam aut faciam”- I will either find a way or make one.

Instagram: travel_logs08

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/himani-birole

Twitter: thoughtPerdi_em

Image Credits
Harshita Birole