Divya Jain | IE Business School

Divya Jain

About me

After graduating Harvard University with a Post graduate in Data science, Divya Subhash pursued her passions even further at IE Business School through the Executive MBA. She considers herself to be passionate about data and has considerable experience in deep learning, big data, and artificial intelligence technologies, as well as big data migration projects. At IE Business School, she is motivated to learn more about how entrepreneurship, innovation and tech can seamlessly integrate.

Who

Divya Jain

Position

Industry solutions specialist, Microsoft

Country

India

Program

Executive MBA

YOU RECENTLY STARTED A NEW JOB AT MICROSOFT. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR ROLE AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES IT ENTAILS?

My role at Microsoft started recently in June as a sales specialist for the cloud services business of Microsoft. I am looking at different large manufacturing & energy customers for transcending them on a digital transformation journey with cloud services on Microsoft Azure like IOT, intelligent edge using data and AI, and creating the future of business for the customers.

YOU ARE A DATA EXPERT WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERTISE IN SPECIALIZED FIELDS LIKE AI, PROGRAMMING, DEEP LEARNING, AND BIG DATA. WHAT DRIVES YOUR PASSION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION?

I have always been passionate about tech since my childhood, where I remember spending hours in computer lab building programs and participating in competitions, which later allowed me to become a software engineer, and now a tech evangelist which is really exciting. I have taken up multiple roles but also in various industries from telco to transportation, manufacturing to supply chain. Now I am really passionate about sustainability and the future of tech supporting a greener earth for not only humans but also other living beings.

AS A WOMAN IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY, WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED IN YOUR CAREER, AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?

I have always got the positive support of my family, friends, and society overall for progressing in my career path. I have tried to strive the best of myself in every given situation, but I must except it’s tough because women do face lot’s of challenges in terms of expectation misalignment, and due to the kind of evolution, we tend to take things emotionally, so I would insist to any ambitious women to remain head strong, hard working and hopeful to achieve a life you desire.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF SO FAR?

I have been lucky and grateful to the people who have contributed towards success and accolades I received in various organizations and roles. I make it a yearly target to achieve a goal in my role, and support my team to achieve that goal. I have been awarded the star performer in many of my projects, as well as promoted to higher roles and responsibilities for my performance.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE THE EXECUTIVE MBA? AS A PROFESSIONAL IN TECH, HOW WILL THIS IN-DEPTH BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE HELP TO ADVANCE YOUR CAREER?

My knowledge in tech led me to experience different tech business and customer transformation journeys, and with an EMBA catering to my business skills, I will be able to reach greater heights of making an impact on a society at a scale. I believe management knowledge is a perpetual engine which never runs out of fuel for fueling your career.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE PART IN THE GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK? AND WHAT GUIDED YOU TO CHOOSE SAN FRANCISCO AS YOUR DESTINATION?

I was honored to join IE Business School so I could be part of the international community, emerging industries and the IE Experience as a whole; and Global Immersion Week gave me that opportunity. I am a passionate techie and I had a fantastic time visiting San Francisco—the Disney World for tech businesses—and meeting outstanding personalities in the tech entrepreneurship industry.

IN GENERAL, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS THE MOST INTERESTING EXPERIENCE FOR YOU DURING THIS GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK?

All of the sessions were very enriching and delightful, but there were two experiences that stood out to me the most. The first with Devon Blackburn from Genentech, which was about pharmaceutical companies using cutting-edge tech to manifest precision medicines and the future biotech industry. The second was Plug and Play Tech Center, which was really something special. It was enlightening to learn about a company that does venture capitalism in such a customer- and partner-connected fashion, helping make it a successful powerhouse for co-founders and startups. I’m looking forward to being a part of it in the future as an executive mentor for new business incubation.

UBER, TWITTER, ZOOM—YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET WITH REAL HEAVYWEIGHTS FROM LEADING COMPANIES LIKE THESE AND MORE. WHICH BUSINESS LEADER INSPIRED YOU THE MOST? WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM?

All of them brought great insights in terms of understanding different dimensions of tech businesses and platforms—from engineering to product development and marketing. I could not ask for more! But, I think I liked the Zoom session most since, during the on-site visit, we were awed by the ambiance of Zoom’s space at their head office.

AS PART OF YOUR TRIP, YOU HAD PANELS AND INFORMATIVE SESSIONS WITH FINANCIERS AND VENTURE CAPITALISTS. WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THE ROLE OF BUSINESS IN DRIVING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION?

One of the most outstanding value creations for me was discovering the world of entrepreneurship and business as an innovation model. This was well explained by a panelist from Anorak Ventures, who shared his personal experience and was also humble enough to answer all our naive questions about becoming an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. These days, business evolves rapidly, and accelerating the customer experience keeps them on their toes. There is enough room in the world to experiment, double down, fail and succeed with more VCs growing to support entrepreneurs than ever before. This experience during the Global Immersion Week has definitely lit a passion for pursuing innovation and entrepreneurship.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THREE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INSIGHTS GAINED OR LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE?

First is that the world is changing rapidly and there is ever-growing support to create your own business value. Second, it’s all about the customer, customer experience and expanding customer value. And third, innovation and tech are at the heart of every business, and those who adopt them fast will succeed fast.

HOW WILL YOUR TIME AT IE BUSINESS SCHOOL, AND ENRICHING EXPERIENCES LIKE THE GLOBAL IMMERSION WEEK, ADD VALUE TO YOUR CAREER?

IE Business School and Global Immersion Week have given me the unimaginable, wonderful opportunity to meet and greet so many industry experts and reputed personalities, as well as provided many fun ways to connect with other like-minded students. I will be able to apply the values learned from each of the sessions and connections in both my own organization and my personal life.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR OTHER STUDENTS PURSUING, OR INTENDING TO PURSUE, THE EXECUTIVE MBA?

This experience could not be better provided by any institution other than IE Business School itself, with its plethora of programs and immersive sessions. So, my advice is to remain headstrong and enjoy the enriching journey of the Executive MBA in a completely holistic and purposeful way.

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