Challenges of an Indian Woman Professional

Dr Saundarya eloquently navigates the complex landscape of women's lives in India, shedding light on the everyday challenges they face at work and in society. She debunks myths surrounding women’s careers and meticulously explores topics such as women’s mental well-being at work, 
challenges navigating the intricate balance between home and work, gender bias at work and complexities of superwoman syndrome in this ground-breaking book, which I believe is a beacon of empowerment for women. ‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is also a must-read for anyone committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

I believe that if we ever are to become a developed country, the one thing we will need to increase is women’s participation in the workforce, and there is no one that I know who has done as much towards this cause as has Dr Saundarya, and no one better qualified than her to write a hands-on guidebook for women to flourish in their careers, which is what ‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is. This book provides sound advice and practical tools for Indian women to smoothly manage family and work and is written in a simple and emphatic manner. You can open this book on any page and find something meaningful that will stay with you.

With practical tips and strategic tools like ‘Intentional Career Pathing’ to help women with the professional problems they face, ‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is relevant, much needed, and is the friend and advisor we all need! Having taken a career break myself, I only wish I had something like this to support me when I re-entered the workforce. A must-add to any Indian woman’s book collection, irrespective of whether she is working or not.

Real-life stories and examples are brought to life beautifully in this book, that sometimes you wonder if it is your own self that you are reading about. This is a must read for all women, in whatever career stage they may be in – women in leadership or women just trying to understand the road ahead for them, and everyone in between. Challenges that women face are analysed in a very comprehensive fashion, which I found extremely valuable. I am sure every woman will find her own mantra to ‘thrive’ as she reads this compelling book.

‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is a very easy and illustrative read and an amazing book for women who, unfortunately, are still largely trapped in a biased work setting. It is also a great read for men who need to be agents of change. Saundarya has done justice to the pioneering work of her organization in the field of women’s workforce participation. Sometimes it is hard to capture all the nuances of your groundbreaking work in a book, but Saundarya manages it beautifully, offering deep insights to readers through her organization’s research, personal experiences and interviews with other women. The in-depth examination of various topics is really striking – a classic example of this is the chapter on guilt. Kudos to her, and here's wishing her continued success in her crusade to boost women’s financial independence!

Dr Saundarya Rajesh draws attention to the ground realities that deter women from realizing their dreams and takes us through the journey of the Indian Woman Professional in her inimitable style, which is peppered with relatable situations and subtle humour. She makes it real by sharing her own experiences, which brings a lot of authenticity and conviction to the book. Among the various valuable life hacks that she shares, tips for women to overcome guilt and leverage power are the icing on the cake! Engaging, Exhorting, Empowering and Inspiring, ‘Conversations with a Career Doctor’ is a book you don’t want to miss, and you will thank yourself immensely for reading it!

Since 2000, Dr Saundarya Rajesh has worked tirelessly to build women’s careers through various initiatives – for example, by building career intentionality in them, helping them navigate guilt, assisting them in getting back into the workforce and so on. And now, she shares her extensive expertise and experience in her new book, ‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’, which is a comprehensive manual for women. As someone who has partnered with Saundarya, it has been a privilege to have been a part of her journey and it is a pleasure to see it laid out so elegantly in this new book of hers!

‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is a testament to Dr Saundarya's dedication to empowering women. Dr Saundarya dips into her rich experience and shares powerful narratives that reveal the intricate challenges women face in the workplace and at home, and through true stories and practical wisdom, she crafts a clear roadmap for women to overcome obstacles and thrive in their careers. This book is the superhero suit that every woman needs, and I recommend it to all women aspiring to pursue a thriving career.

‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is an eye-opening read! As a leader, I witness the multifaceted challenges that women encounter in their quest for a successful career. This book offers invaluable insights to women on how they can confront the various difficulties and move forward in their professional paths. A must-read not only for women, but also for any business leader committed to diversity and inclusion and keen on driving innovation and staying ahead in today's global market.

Dr Saundarya has been involved in facilitating women’s career growth for years now. In our society, where problems and biases are deep-rooted, it is not always easy to maintain your dedication to your mission, but Dr Saundarya has been the light for Indian women even in the darkest moments. She brings her wealth of knowledge in the space of women’s workforce participation to this amazing book, ‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ which is an A-Z guide for women to flourish at work and the beacon of hope that we all need.

‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is a wonderful read with such relatable stories but at the same time packed with very helpful tips. I am sure women reading this book will experience a sense of reassurance and optimism when they realize that the challenges they face are not unique, and that these challenges can be overcome by following a few simple steps. The practical tips to secure support at home and at work, manage home and family smoothly, handle workplace bias and more, which form the crux of the book, will be valuable. Kudos to Dr Saundarya who has shared her extensive expertise in the book!

‘Conversations with the Career Doctor’ is a thoughtfully crafted, lucid guide for women professionals seeking success, growth and fulfillment in their careers. Saundarya's storytelling weaves a captivating narrative, highlighting the boundless potential within every Indian woman. Her stories resonate beyond the professional sphere, offering relatable experiences for those balancing work and home responsibilities, managing family guilt, and trying to align career goals with personal values. Readers are sure to find multiple stories that resonate deeply and take away valuable nuggets. This book is a true resource for women navigating their professional and personal paths, providing both inspiration and practical guidance.

Dr Saundarya’s writing is as insightful, incisive, crisp and in your face as her talking. Her deep understanding of working women and their multiple challenges comes so much alive as she hits the ground running with Ambuja’s story in her first chapter. The book not only inspires, but also comes with many to-do things that are concrete steps for improving women’s situation significantly.

Dr Saundarya has distilled more than two decades of her work at Avtar & Project Puthri and her deep understanding of women at work in this easy-to-read treatise that is a tapestry of touching anecdotes of struggles of working women. With practical and easy-to-follow tips to overcome these challenges, based on sound theories and concepts, this book is a must-read for women at any stage of career but equally valuable for men (husbands, managers, CEOs and board members) to get a perspective they never would otherwise have. I am convinced that this book will help millions of women to thrive and win at work.