Sonia Grover Tummala

I attribute my success to my deep-rooted passion for writing and creating, paired with the tenacity to keep shining despite industry challenges. Over the years, I’ve met many talented professionals on similar paths, and when opportunities felt limited, some chose different directions. I chose persistence. I continued refining my craft, expanding my skills, and staying committed to the work I love most — trusting that dedication and authenticity would open the right doors.

The best career advice I’ve received was recognizing that one of my greatest strengths is translating complex, technical information into clear, accessible language that anyone can understand. Early on, mentors encouraged me to see this not just as a skill, but as a gift — and to expand it in ways that would help others succeed. That validation gave me permission to fully own my voice and lean into the power of clarity. Throughout my career, I’ve carried that guidance with me, using it to bridge gaps between ideas and people, complexity and confidence.

The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is simple: if writing is your passion, protect it — and keep writing. You may encounter criticism or moments when your voice is questioned but never let that silence you. Every meaningful career comes with resistance, but passion is what sustains you through the difficult seasons. When you are deeply committed to your craft, your voice strengthens, your confidence grows, and consistency and dedication strengthens becoming the foundation of a lasting and impactful career.

One of the biggest challenges in technical writing is the industry structure. Many companies rely on contract roles rather than full-time positions, which can mean less stability and limited benefits. For the past eight years, I’ve worked as a consultant with top-tier organizations — a path that has required resilience, adaptability, and confidence in my expertise. At the same time, the opportunities in writing are expansive. Technical writing opens doors to documentation, communications, copywriting, media, and strategic messaging. Even in the age of AI, human writers remain essential — not just to generate content, but to bring clarity, context, and responsible oversight to the information shaping our world.

The values that guide both my work and personal life are integrity, growth, courage, kindness, and meaningful impact.

Whether I’m leading technical documentation initiatives, coaching a student to find their authentic voice, or publishing a children’s book, I believe in clarity, accountability, and doing work that truly matters. Growth is equally important — through innovation, continually learning, and through self-reflection and self-awareness. I embrace change, adapt easily, take calculated risks, and encourage others — especially young students and women — to step into their next level with confidence. Kindness creates connection; courage creates progress. I strive to lead with empathy while also being bold enough to build, create, and speak up - intentionally. Success, to me, is not just achievement or recognition, it’s knowing that my work, my words, and my actions — whether in corporate environments, classrooms, at home, in the community or through storytelling — helps someone believe in themselves a little more. If I can create clarity, confidence, or possibility for others, then I am aligned with my purpose.