Why I Chose IPL For My Career Growth | EMBA 2026A - Smitha Basavaraj
- blogs, product management
- 4 min read
Authors: Smitha Basavaraj– Account Delivery Executive at Wipro
Twenty-three years in the industry has given me experience, perspective, and the opportunity to grow from writing software to leading businesses. But experience also brings an important realization: staying relevant requires continuous reinvention.
I’m Smitha, and I’ve spent more than two decades working across banking and services organizations. I began my career as a software developer and, over the years, progressed into leadership. Today, I lead businesses for one of India’s large services organizations.
It has been a long and rewarding journey. But I don’t see this stage of my career as a destination. I see it as an opportunity to ask what I want the next chapter to look like.
From Writing Software to Leading Businesses
When I started as a software developer, my world was very different from the one I operate in today.
As my career progressed, my responsibilities expanded. I moved beyond technology into business, leadership, and decision-making. Each transition required me to learn something new and adapt to a different set of expectations.
Now, I find myself at another such transition.
After spending more than two decades in the industry, I’m thinking about how I can reshape myself for the journey ahead.
The skills and experiences that brought me here are valuable, but the business world continues to change. New technologies emerge, customer expectations evolve, and leadership itself demands new ways of thinking.
I want to make sure I evolve with it.
I Want My Next Chapter to Create an Impact
When I think about where I want to be a year from now, career growth is certainly part of the answer but it isn’t the whole answer.
I want to work alongside thought leaders and people with powerful ideas.
More importantly, I want to contribute to ideas that can help society overcome meaningful challenges.
At this point in my career, impact matters to me. I want to use the experience I’ve accumulated over the years while exposing myself to new perspectives that can help me think differently about problems and possibilities.
I also want to continue growing professionally. The learning journey I’m beginning now is an opportunity to reflect on what I already know, identify what I need to develop, and prepare myself for the kind of roles and challenges I want to take on next.
Why Mentoring Matters More With Experience
One of the key reasons I chose this program was its focus on mentoring.
After 23 years in the industry, I’m not necessarily looking for someone to simply tell me how business works. I’m looking for perspectives that can help me examine my own journey differently.
That is where I believe good mentoring can make a difference.
An experienced mentor can challenge the assumptions we have built over years, help us identify blind spots, and bring an outside perspective to decisions about where we want to go next.
For me, mentorship is therefore not just about learning more. It is about understanding how I can use everything I have already learned more effectively.
Preparing for the Next Career Journey
Career assistance was another important factor in my decision.
The further you progress professionally, the more complex career decisions can become. It is not always about finding the next designation or moving to another organization.
Sometimes, the bigger question is: What should I be preparing myself for now?
I want to understand where my experience can create the most value, what capabilities I need for the future, and how I can position myself for opportunities that align with both my ambitions and the impact I want to create.
Having structured career support alongside learning and mentorship gives me an opportunity to approach that next step with greater clarity.
Staying Curious Beyond Work
Curiosity has always extended beyond my professional life.
I love travelling, exploring new places, meeting people from different cultures, and experiencing different kinds of food. Over time, travel has become both a passion and a hobby.
What I enjoy most is the exposure to something unfamiliar.
Every new place gives you a different perspective. You see how other people live, think, communicate, and solve problems. It reminds you that your own way of seeing the world is only one of many possibilities.
I think the same mindset is valuable professionally.
Reinvention Is Part of Leadership
After more than two decades in the industry, I could choose to rely entirely on my experience.
Instead, I want to continue learning.
My goal is to combine the experience I have built over 23 years with new ideas, stronger mentorship, and perspectives from people who challenge the way I think.
I want to remain relevant, continue growing as a leader, and eventually contribute to ideas that solve meaningful problems for society.
For me, this Executive MBA is not about starting over.
It is about reinventing myself for what comes next.
