Having worked for the U.S. Government Foreign service for the past 20 years, I gained leadership and mentoring skills as a part of leading a unit that took care of several activities that included talking to high school and university students in South India about U.S. higher education opportunities. This helped me gain confidence in public speaking and I also developed interest in mentoring students who were low on confidence.

I also realized that it would be a huge change of cultures and language and accent and these students needed to learn about ‘Change’. Change is inevitable and it is very difficult to accept it at times. My presentations always included talking about ‘Change’. Having been a unit head, I also had the opportunity of mentoring my staff in the unit.

My forte for mentoring would be for anyone with low levels of confidence, leadership, having difficult conversations and those who are not able to accept a sudden, big change in their lives and move on.

I completed a course on – Stepping into Leadership in the Indian Business School (ISB) in Hyderabad and several other leadership and management courses conducted by the U.S. Foreign Service Institute. During the course of my career I realized that a mentor helps one learn the value of life and teaches you things that will lead and propel you on to your goals.