Motherhood, Migration and Me: An Unexpected Path to PGP PRO

For the longest time, I found myself reflecting on the feedback I had received from managers, mentors, friends and family. I wanted to address the gaps they had pointed out, understand myself better and explore what more I might be capable of.

After almost a decade of living a comfortable life in Silicon Valley, my family and I made a life-changing decision to move to Hyderabad, a city we had never visited before, only to kickstart my journey with ISB and simultaneously continue working at Zscaler India.

We arrived with our one-year-old, a few suitcases, some credit cards and a two-week stay in a service apartment. We did not have an Indian bank account, a phone number, a home to move into or even a pediatrician. What we did have was hope, faith and each other.

One of my biggest fears at that time was being away from my baby during the ISB orientation week, knowing I would be gone for more than twelve hours a day. It was a whirlwind.

New Beginnings, New City and ISB

We landed on 5th July, started our new jobs on 7th July and only four days later, on 11th July, I began my PGP PRO journey.

Coming from a software background, I was used to working only with tech professionals. But, walking into ISB and meeting classmates from completely different industries, from actors and veterans to engineers, chartered accountants and entrepreneurs, felt both exciting and intimidating.

For anyone standing at the edge of a major decision, I can say this with certainty - The unknown can feel overwhelming, but it can also be deeply rewarding.

A few months in, I am grateful that I took the leap.

Our family adjusted far more quickly than I had expected. Within two weeks, we moved into our own apartment and turned it into a home. Life felt steadier, even as everything around us was new.

Those early days taught me the power of resilience and adaptation. The move was not easy, but it was transformative. It pushed us to look inward, trust ourselves and find belonging in a place where we had started with nothing but determination.

Growing Beyond the Comfort of Technology

ISB became the catalyst for everything I hoped to learn beyond coding. As someone naturally shy and introverted, I now find myself speaking up in class, asking questions and sharing my thoughts during lectures and group work.

I had always been curious about how businesses function, how leaders make decisions, how strategies are built and how markets influence everyday life. ISB is helping answer those questions I have carried for years. The world-class faculty and subjects such as accounting, decision-making and organisational behaviour have broadened my view of work, leadership and impact. The collaborative nature of the programme has made me more confident, more aware and more eager to contribute.

Finding Strength Through Support

None of this would have been possible without the support surrounding me. To my little one, thank you for letting mumma pursue her dreams on weekends. To our companies, Zscaler and GoDaddy, thank you for making my and my husband’s relocation possible. And to the many kind-hearted people of Hyderabad, from immigration officers to UrbanClap professionals and Uber drivers, thank you for your warmth and generosity. You made us feel at home from the very first day.

To all new mums, working professionals and especially fellow NRIs who are thinking about returning or investing in their growth, take that first step. The path may not be clear at the start, but the dots will eventually connect.

Synopsis:

Akansha Mehta is a technology professional with over a decade of experience in Silicon Valley, now pursuing the PGP PRO at ISB Hyderabad. A new mother and a returning NRI, she is passionate about expanding her leadership horizons beyond software, exploring how businesses, strategy and people decisions shape real-world impact.