Himani Madan's Relaunch Success Story

Relauncher of the Month

February 2023

My design journey started with designing books, covers, posters, catalogs and activity books for a publishing company. Joining Wasp3D, a fast growing media company was the pivotal moment in my career. Wasp3D provides Real-Time Data Integration for AR Graphics, Virtual Sets, eSports, Elections & News Telecast, Live Broadcast TV Graphics & Live Streaming Solutions.

I learned most of my design chops on this job. My projects included interactive screens, elections, World Cups, network launch and rebranding. A highlight was working on the FIFA World Cup 2018 with Televisa, a Mexican multimedia company, to augment reality templates for match analysis. I represented Wasp3D at international trade shows for four years: CABSAT-Dubai, Broadcast Asia-Singapore, NAB-USA, IBC-Netherlands.

But life happened and I soon became a trailing spouse after moving to USA in 2017 with my husband. Initially after relocation, I could not continue professional work due to visa status. Soon after, I found out I was pregnant and then the pandemic struck. Without help, raising a daughter was hard but returning to the workforce was always on my mind. I had gotten used to a lifestyle during my decade long career and I needed that intellectual stimulation to be a better parent. I was constantly upskilling myself from certifications in Design Thinking, HCI, Mobile UX with Interaction Design Foundation (IDF).

When a neighbor mentioned returnships, I immediately started researching about them. Then one fine day, I came across the iRelaunch page on LinkedIn - and that was the game changer for me. I learned more about return to work programs and gained insights about how I could prepare myself for applying to these programs. I always felt motivated listening to the "3,2,1 iRelaunch" podcast episodes. Finally, I came across the Insight Career Reboot program for which I applied. I was given a chance to get interviewed, and I got the offer. My previous work experience and recent certifications were instrumental in my interview.

I felt so confident throughout the Insight recruitment process because it was seamless and specially structured for people with career gaps. My favorite part of working at Insight is the kind, brilliant and inclusive people. I really appreciate that my hiring manager and teammates are invested in the success of my Returnship journey.

Click here to view the one-page profile we compiled to highlight Himani's career path!

Himani has recently joined Insight, and quickly ramped up as my backfill on the client side. She has done an incredible job of getting up to speed on a difficult product and working to already build relationships with their Product Owners and Dev teams. I have been impressed by her ability to start the right conversations and stay organized when information is coming from all directions. I know just how challenging learning that industry can be, and it's encouraging to see how Himani goes about it with such professionalism and eagerness. I recently heard from the Product Manager and Owner at our client side how excited they are to have Himani on the team, and are already looking for ways to include her in more strategic conversations. I am looking forward to the awesome work she'll be delivering on the Supply Expense team! Thanks Himani for your hard work right outside the gate!

Himani's Manager

We caught up with Himani to dive a little deeper into her relaunch story and the advice she has for other relaunchers...

What was different (and beneficial) about returning to work through a career-reentry program?

So many benefits!

Provide a structured and supportive pathway back to the workforce. Along with mentoring and coaching, these programs help people like me transition back into the workforce successfully. This can help individuals feel more confident and prepared to take on new challenges.
Reduces the stigma of career breaks: By providing a path back to work, career reentry programs can help individuals feel more valued and supported by their employers and society as a whole. The Insight Career Reboot program walks the talk. I was a full-time Insight teammate on day one, and I got 16 weeks of support through the program.
Helps employers tap into a diverse talent pool. I am increasingly observing that these programs help employers tap into a diverse talent pool by attracting experienced and highly skilled individuals who may have otherwise been overlooked due to their career breaks.

What is your advice for relaunchers?

Identify your goals: Take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve in your new career. This will help you stay focused and motivated.
Build your skills: Invest in yourself by taking courses, attending workshops, or networking with professionals in your new field.
Be open-minded: Be open to new experiences and challenges. Don't be afraid to take on projects or tasks outside of your comfort zone.
Stay positive: Stay optimistic and focus on your strengths. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small they may be.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the relaunch process, and how did you overcome them?

Starting over: I had already invested a significant amount of time and energy into my previous role back home and the thought of starting over was daunting. New country, new baby, new home - I was a bit lost on where to start. UX/UI returnships are also far and between.
Balancing responsibilities: I love my daughter to bits but was definitely challenging to think about balancing my career with family obligations. Not being financially dependent, not getting enough intellectual stimulation , not working towards deadlines would add to the frustration. Working helps me maintain my own identity and I was missing that.

UX is now working ahead of development and a robust backlog of work can now be created for several months out in the future. This team historically has struggled with figuring out how to incorporate UX into their product lifecycle and also how to work efficiently enough that devs have a solid backlog of work to pull from. Since Himani's onboarding (less than four months ago!) she's been a shining star, and has built an incredible relationship with her Product Owner and team. Awesome job Himani! You continue to impress and the value you are bringing to clients is growing each day. Keep up the awesome work!

Himani's Manager

Why did you look at Insight and iRelaunch to support you in your career journey? Did anything in particular stand out to you about Insight?

The answer is simple. Insight Career Reboot was the perfect opportunity for me to apply my skills in a meaningful way. I remember reading on their website - "They look at gaps differently. We believe no one should be rejected from a role based only on a gap on their resume." And I will reiterate that they walk the talk. Here’s a quick program overview :

Custom programming: Thanks to the thoughtful and competent iRelaunch sessions, I participated in professional development lessons, training courses and group coaching sessions tailored to my needs.
Variety of Opportunities: Insight offers a variety of Returnship job opportunities both non-technical and technical, which allows for a variety of professionals to restart their careers.
From recruit to full time: At the end of the 16 weeks, those who excel and ‘raise the hiring bar’ are eligible for an offer for full-time employment
Ensuring a smooth transition through mentorship: Once hired, each returner is paired with a dedicated mentor who, in addition to their manager and onboarding buddy that provide coaching and feedback for a successful transition.
Community: This was the most crucial part of the program for me. Support from others in my cohort who have had similar experiences , the ability to talk to them without worrying about judgment and being accountable to stay focused on my personal goals was a blessing.

This success story was documented by Rochna Pant

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