Post by Bushra Aleem

Five years ago, I joined D. E. Shaw India straight out of college—curious, nervous, and trying to figure out where I belonged. Today, I’m deeply grateful to share that I’ve been promoted to Lead – TechOps. The fastest possible promotion at the firm - and in a couple of months, I’ll have people reporting into me. That sentence still feels unreal. This journey wasn’t smooth. It was built on steep learning curves, long days, quiet resilience, and choosing growth even when it felt overwhelming. I’ve grown from someone trying to earn a seat at the table to someone now expected to build the table for others. I owe this milestone to the people who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. A heartfelt thank you to my manager, Devender Lega for trusting me with responsibility far earlier than most, supporting me when it mattered most and opening doors that changed my trajectory. To my AD, Maruti Venkata for your faith, guidance, and for setting a bar that inspires excellence. This role comes with trust—and I intend to honour it. With integrity, empathy, and a relentless standard of excellence.