This blog is part of our on-going Women in Technology series.
Ayesha Shah is a Review Lead with Consilio, based in Gurgaon, India. With around ten years of experience, Ayesha has spent eight and a half of those with Consilio. Ayesha earned both her bachelor and law degrees from Delhi University. To Ayesha, the most exciting part of working at Consilio is the teamwork and togetherness of the company.
How did you get into eDiscovery?
I didn’t initially plan to get into eDiscovery; it just kind of happened. In 2009, during the recession, it wasn’t easy to find a job. I got an offer from one of our competitors and joined them. Twenty months later, I looked for other opportunities, and a friend referred my name to her company. That is how I entered the industry.
What are you particularly proud of to have accomplished thus far in your career?
I had a difficult relationship with my manager at the previous company where I was working. During this time, I had lost a lot of my confidence and thought that I was not on the right track. Thankfully, I later joined Consilio. Since then, my efforts have been appreciated and acknowledged and there has been no looking back.
What has been your experience with mentors during your career?
My current manager has been my mentor. He is the one who has shown everyone the ropes, and he always has our back. He knows exactly how to support us and goes out of his way to help us. Even if we make a mistake, he always guides us through it and pushes us to see the situation’s positives.
What is your advice for women that are working in a predominately male setting?
Be confident, and don’t shy away from voicing your opinion. It can be easy to shy away and start doubting yourself. If you speak up, you may not be correct, and that’s okay. What’s important is to speak up and always keep learning from your mistakes or any project that you’re working on.
What are your techniques for managing competing priorities, work-life balance, stress relief, etc.?
Yeah, in our industry the deadlines can definitely be crazy. You have to understand what requires more of your time at that moment. Sometimes I need to give more time to work, and other times I can designate more time to spend with my family. If I work until midnight one night, then I ensure that I spend more time with my family in the following days. Spending time with my family also acts as a stress buster for me.
When you’re not working, how do you spend your free time?
At the moment, all my free time is dedicated to my 18 month old. However, when we are not in lockdown, I like to socialize and travel.