- Any Questions?
- 080-4710-6006
- engage@ipl.university
Reshma Shankara- Senior RPA Developer at Booking Holdings
I am Reshma Shankara, an Intelligent Automation Developer at Booking Holdings. For quite a few years, I focused on building and developing automation systems. I loved the technical challenge, but I constantly posed myself a simple question. Why are we building this? I went beyond writing code because of that question. I wanted to understand purpose, customer impact, and strategy. I didn’t just want to build the engine. I wanted to help steer the car.
In one of my earlier roles, I worked as both a developer and an extended product manager. That is when I actually had my first real exposure to product thinking. I saw product managers interact with customers, understand their problems and build solutions to address them. Watching this unfold made me realize that I wanted to do more than just write code. I wanted to guide the product vision and strategy.
This realization led me to search for programs that could give me structured learning in product leadership. I was not looking for a generic MBA. I wanted something designed around product. After research, I chose the Executive MBA in Product Management at the Institute of Product Leadership. The curriculum matched exactly what I was looking for.
I was able to make the shift step by step with the help of the program. I do well in face-to-face environments, and IPL gave me that space. I could ask questions, work with my peers, and connect with my professors in real-time.
The one-to-one coaching made a big difference. Professors were always open to calls where I could discuss challenges from my own work. Career labs with industry professionals created a safe space to present ideas, make mistakes, and learn.
Encouragement was constant. My professors pushed me to try things I was unsure about. Sai Sir’s advice stays with me. “Starting is the hardest part. Once you start, it is a journey.” That mindset allowed me to take more risks. The learning managers also kept me on schedule and reminded me of deadlines to sustain momentum
Currently I am still in my capacity as an Intelligent Automation Developer with Booking Holdings, but my approach has shifted. I’m no longer thinking about what I am building only, but I am thinking about why we are building it, who we are building it for, and what is the strategy it is part of. The product leadership training has given me some confidence to connect the technical work being done to business goals. It is also helping me preparing for future leadership opportunities where I can drive the solutions we create.
A few lessons stand out from my journey.
If you are thinking about making a similar transition, clarify your vision and dedicate yourself to building any skills you will need. With focus and consistent effort, it is possible to transition from a technical role to product leadership.
This journey has been about much more than new skills. It has been about establishing a different mindset. I now see my work framed in strategy and customer value versus simply through the lens of technical delivery. I would not have been able to achieve this without the right support and encouragement. I truly believe anyone can do this with clarity and continuous learning.
Reshma Shankara is an Intelligent Automation Developer at Booking Holdings. She brings her expertise in automation and a growing focus on product leadership. She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the Institute of Product Leadership to strengthen her ability to connect technology with strategy and customer needs.
