Winner's story: Arunab Sharma

Arunab shared a story reflecting on how his role in IT communication has helped bring people together in meaningful ways. In his entry, he also shares how he has grown through challenges, built confidence and discovered a real sense of purpose.

I come from a family where becoming an engineer was more than just a career choice - it was a dream, a first, and a responsibility. Being the first engineer in my family filled everyone with pride, but it also brought quiet fears. Like many Indian families, mine had heard stories about the harsh realities of the IT industry - the pressure, the long hours, the loss of balance. There was always an unspoken worry: Will he be okay?

In 2018, at 25, I stepped into this world with Smiths. I still remember that phase of uncertainty - new beginnings often come with more questions than answers. But what I found here slowly changed everything I had believed about the corporate world.

Instead of pressure, I found people.

Instead of rigidity, I found openness.

Instead of fear, I found trust.

Working in IT communication and collaboration tools wasn’t just about technology - it became about connecting people, enabling conversations and making work feel a little more human. And somewhere along the way, this role started shaping me as much as I was contributing to it.

The journey from a young, curious analyst to an IT Platform Manager didn’t happen overnight. It came with challenges, learning curves, moments of self-doubt and small wins that slowly built confidence. But through it all, Smiths gave me something invaluable - a culture that believed in me, even when I was still learning to believe in myself.

Today, when I look back, I don’t just see career growth - I see transformation. I see a journey that turned fear into confidence, uncertainty into purpose, and a job into something deeply meaningful.

And the most beautiful part? I feel like this is just the beginning.

I don’t just want to work here - I want to grow here, contribute here, and build something lasting. I want to make communication and collaboration not just seamless, but impactful - so that others, like me, can find clarity, connection, and confidence in what they do every day.

This isn’t just my job.

This is my journey.

And I’m proud that it continues with Smiths