The Qonnect

A platform exploring stories of purposeful life lived across and between cultures and celebrating our common existence and humanity. Hosted by Qali Id, a world traveller, advocate and storyteller, this weekly interview podcast champions the individual story as being the fabric of our common humanity and connecting us to a new way of seeing the world. You will hear everyday people’s stories on identity, culture, lifestyle and purpose as guided by personable, introspective and intimate conversations.

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The Qonnect

Hype Yourself with Aashni Shah

October 16, 2024 • Qali Id • Season 4 • Episode 4

In this episode of The Qonnect, I speak with my friend Aashni Shah, founder of HypeDocs, about the importance of celebrating achievements, self-advocacy, and gaining confidence in the workplace. Aashni shares her personal journey, touching on topics such as imposter syndrome, challenges in STEM as a woman of colour, and the need for strong support systems. She talks candidly about her experiences navigating cultural identity and workplace dynamics, especially the value of documentation and visibility to combat biases and enhance career growth. Aashni also offers practical advice for young professionals, particularly those facing similar hurdles in their careers.

01:31 Celebrating Wins and Self-Recognition
06:45 The Concept and Evolution of Hype Docs
10:40 Personal Experiences, Workplace Dynamics, and Navigating Challenges
19:50 Cultural Identity, Representation, and Overcoming Stereotypes
32:12 The Importance of Networking, Passion Projects, and Gender Bias
36:59 Addressing Pay Disparities, Negotiation Tactics, and Invisible Work
46:26 The Power of Sharing Accomplishments and Building Confidence
54:47 Advice for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Embracing Failure, and the Value of Support Systems

Bio:
Aashni Shah is a multinational citizen who grew up in Kenya before moving to Canada for University. She is currently the founder of HypeDocs, a platform to help businesses retain employees by focusing on employee needs. Prior to this, Aashni was a Software Engineer with experience working at companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Square. Aashni is passionate about bringing more tech to developing countries and increasing the representation of girls and women in STEM. She has been recognized with awards such as the Top 50 Inspiring Women in STEM in Canada.

All Relevant Links:

Aashni's Website: https://aashni.me/
Being Glue - Tanya Reilly : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cr2Yn_MrKg&pp=ygUXYmVpbmcgZ2x1ZSB0YW55YSByZWlsbHk%3D

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