Sahil Deshpande

Growing up in Mumbai, life was pretty straightforward. My family, like many others, believed in the power of education. School days at Podar High School were more than just about books – they introduced me to a mix of people, and slowly but surely, I shed my shyness and gained some confidence.

After school, I jumped into computer engineering at NMIMS Mumbai. It was during those college days that I met some ambitious folks who got me thinking about starting something of my own. But reality hit, and I ended up in the corporate world for a couple of years at Accenture as a software engineer. The feeling of being just one among thousands didn't sit well with me.

So, I took a leap into the startup world. Two attempts, a mix of failures and lessons learned, and suddenly, I found myself drawn to design. That's when I decided to pursue a master's in interaction design in Melbourne, Australia.

Fast forward to today, and I'm working as a senior UX designer at Tech Mahindra Altavec in Melbourne. The shift from coding to design wasn't just a job change – it was a whole new way of looking at things, driven by curiosity and an appreciation for good design.

Now, as I stand here, I'm thinking about what comes next. Maybe I'll keep growing as a UX designer, or perhaps I'll dive into some entrepreneurial ventures. Ideas are always bouncing around in my head, and I like keeping my options open. The journey from Mumbai to Melbourne has been a mix of experiences, each adding a layer to who I am today.