Neha Goyal

Over the past decade in the tech industry, I have witnessed tremendous evolution in how we work and learn. When I started 10 years ago, the world was quite a different place for new grads - it was all about learning from the grassroots, running across one meeting to another, getting those SMEs (subject matter experts) opinions, and understanding what the real job is. Now, the world has changed and evolved where I see the new hires and new onboardees talking with AI tools and trying to understand how the system works, what the company is, where the profits are, and what they should be working on. That's the one area I see as a stacking difference - 10 years back, the world was different in terms of in-person physical interaction versus the current AI-native interaction that we have. I am a very active speaker in the Gen AI ecosystem at Expedia Group, where my presentations have usually been attended by 700 to 800 attendees. I'm a strong believer in personal brand, not just within work, but also in the digital spaces that exist outside - your LinkedIn presence, your digital presence that defines you. I recently learned from a podcast series that this digital presence really helps you navigate the initial hurdles of small talks, because you know the people before you're actually getting in the room. If you do a little bit of research, these blogs and speaking opportunities, your newsletters, and podcasts help you connect with the person and go with the right arguments, questions, and opinions that you're seeking. Networking is the blood and sweat when you are a woman growing in the tech industry, and building your connections is the number one priority.