Posts Tagged ‘Small Business’

Viji Raveendran Discusses the Challenges Faced by Women in Engineering

Viji Raveendran was always passionate about technology, even as a girl in her native India. Seventeen years ago, after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Bharathiar University in India, Qualcomm engineer Viji Raveendran moved to the U.S. determined a career making in the field of engineering.

When Viji Raveendran began her career at Qualcomm, she was surprised that far fewer women in the scientific disciplines represented in the U.S. than in India. In India, she used a 50/50 split between boys and girls in her high school science classes, and women comprised at least 30 percent of its undergraduate engineering programs. At University of Iowa, where she earned her Master of Science degree in Communications and Signal Processing, Viji Raveendran was one of only two women in a class of 25.

For the past fourteen years she’s been an engineer at Qualcomm, where only 10 to 13% of engineers are women today. As one of the women, Viji Raveendran is a mentor for other women engineers.

She said many factors affect women engineers at companies such as Qualcomm and other environmental work, including:
Ratio of women to men: If a healthy mix of women to men, meaning that at least 20 to 30% of women, there is more encouragement for women to succeed. There are also opportunities to form supportive relationships, because there will be a greater proportion of women in leadership positions.
Younger, more open, team members: Viji Raveendran also notes that support for women in workplaces such as Qualcomm increases when a greater percentage of recent college graduates. The environment is more open and there is more interaction in comparison to when a number of the older, more traditional engineers in the group. There is less stereotyping and more of a level playing field for women. Women are regarded as equal peers and as a competent and competitive as their male counterparts.
Women leaders and mentors: Women leaders like Qualcomm engineer Viji Raveendran set an example. If Women in leadership positions, the other wives were more likely to be encouraged, have better opportunities to find good mentors, both male and female.
Culturally conservative attitudes But as Viji Raveendran women in leadership roles more often in opposition than men, primarily because of cultural attitudes driven. Some people do not feel comfortable reporting to women. These attitudes may flicker, particularly when the pressure is causing hostile reactions and dissatisfaction in the workplace.

Women engineers as Viji Raveendran to work harder in order to get ahead in the workplace. For example:
Even though all successful people in the engineering industry are high achievers to begin with, Viji Raveendran and other female engineers to put in the effort to 150% more than their male counterparts to be promoted to the next level. That means 150% more time, 150% higher quality of work and 150% more research and analysis. Men can sometimes make less.
When a woman claims she regarded herself as a too strong-willed, but the people are only considered assertive. It is a basic cross-cultural differences in how men and women were observed. But Viji Raveendran insisted that women should not be down not give up. They must constantly working to advance their goals and will always try to be successful.

To achieve success, Qualcomm engineer Viji Raveendran states that women must:
Be open to learning and be a sponge.
Do you have an opinion and stand up for themselves. “Put your opinion, but make sure your tone is polite and professional,” she said. She pointed out that since the work environment is extremely dynamic, the level of sensitivity range of day-to-day. The level of sophistication required in the delivery vary accordingly.
Avoid being submissive and stand their ground. Viji Raveendran said women should express their ideas and opinions published, and make sure their ideas do not get stolen by people. She emphasized that an idea is not always necessary validation peer to pursue. “Women engineers value their ideas as much as men do.When you are sure your idea is good with sound technical content and merit, you must stand your ground, but simple or trivial the idea could be considered by your peers, you must . own, document, and publish it via e-mail a record keeping and make sure you get full credit. “

Qualcomm engineer Viji Raveendran who practices his preaching, and she has the experience and accolades it up. Like their female counterparts to tell her, “You may have to work harder same respect and the success of those goals, but always remember that you are fighting for a worthy cause, and promoting the role of women engineers”
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EVERY PERSON CAN ACHIEVE WHATEVER HE OR SHE WISHES!

Generations of Bulgarians have proved their ingenuity and entrepreneurship from home. Bulgarians are proud of their achievements. Worthy successors today, younger generations of Bulgarians are carriers of the active spirit of self-expression. They prove that the Bulgarians are capable of rapid adaptation to new environments and they work hard for their dreams to defend.

Given the current economic crisis, everyone is forced to new ways of life deserve to look. To ensure a dream, ambition, courage and innovation are essential to fulfill. More importantly, you must never stop dreaming and the strength to have.

Many young Bulgarians living in Cleveland, Ohio, who try to express their gifts. Although everyone has different aspirations, talents and problems, deep in our hearts, we always bring a piece of Bulgaria with us. Perhaps that is why the idea of maintaining your roots (ethnic / cultural identity) is fed by the relationship with the homeland, even while trying your goals and dreams to achieve in a new country.

Gergana Valkova graduated Bachelor degree in International Economic Relations at the University of Economics – Varna in 2004. Her first visit to the U.S. was in the summer of 2002, during a student exchange program for four months in Destin, FL. During the summer of 2003 she came for another four months at Kitty Hawk, NC. They arrived in Cleveland for an internship program with a duration of one and half years. She interned at the Holiday Inn, she worked in all departments, but especially at the reception. At that time she met her future husband, who still lives in town with his family, and later she married him. The internship program has its natural continuation and Gergana, as a wife of Mikhail Megresh remain in Cleveland.

As representatives of the younger generation, we have the courage to try today’s businesses to create our goals to show attractive and connecting different people from all over the world to achieve. If a family can be created and built on the mutual love between people of different nationalities, the same way that companies can ook te brengen people together from different places in the world. What is a better and brighter way to the other nations to learn than through jewelry and accessories, all rejoice! Since humans are made, all in the direction of Aspire beauty and elegant accessories are a complement to our appearance.

Gergana, can you please tell us something about your first year in Cleveland?

I arrived in Cleveland on May 31, 2005 for an internship program at the Holiday Inn, which lasted until December 2006, and I’m still working there. I met with Misha in February 2006, when I went to Bally’s fitness center. We were introduced by our mutual friends. Misha proposed to me on 06.09.2007 at my parents’ visit to America. It happened in a Russian restaurant where our families met for the first time. We got married on 07.07.2007, before my parents returned to Bulgaria. The three 7’s for good luck.

How did you start and at what level are you today in your career and education?

I started as a trainee at the Holiday Inn, and when my internship was over, they hired me full-time job as a clerk reception. I started studying for a Master of Business Administration at Cleveland State University in early 2008, and I should graduate in 2010. After obtaining a degree from here, I hope to find a better job with more prospects for professional growth.

Do you think the United States have more opportunities for growth and achieving your goals and dreams?

Yes, I definitely think I am much more likely to succeed and to achieve my dreams. As an example I can indicate the start of one of our ideas. At the end of 2008, my husband and I opened one of the local malls a small jewelry store. My husband called it Gergana’s Couture, which I liked a lot. A few months later we opened a web site: www.gerganas-couture.com . We sell unique, contemporary jewelry imported from Bulgaria and Europe. Because our styles and designs are different, we decided that our jewelry would be interesting for U.S. customers. All jewelry is handmade and some of them are single items.

Do you think entrepreneurship is more pronounced among young people, and it is true for the Bulgarians in the U.S.?

Yes, I believe that entrepreneurship is more pronounced in young people because we have more energy, desire and desire to prove ourselves. Young people have guts and this quality is essential to entrepreneurship. Bulgarians, as a group, are very stubborn. They fight and are entrepreneurial. They have demonstrated these qualities not only here in the U.S., but worldwide.

I have lived in the United States for 10 years, came to Cleveland with my parents in 1999 from Ukraine. My sister lived here since 1997. I graduated from the Polytechnic University in Donetsk in 1995 – a computer engineer. In the United States got Sysco CCNA certification for Network Computer Systems (computer network engineer). I work at a computer company in the sales department.

Is it wonderful that is married to a Bulgarian? What is the difference in Gergana that you attracted?

Yeah, sure, our family life Gergana is very light and pleasant. She is a beautiful woman. We are convergent. We love each other and hold. She is very good for me and together we are very happy. Gergana pulled me with her kindness.

Misha, you visited Bulgaria for the first time in the summer of 2008. Did it meet your expectations? What most impressed you?

The trip and our stay in Bulgaria have a great experience for me. I was very fond of Bulgaria and it definitely exceeded my expectations. Gergana with her parents showed me their own region – Gabrovo, Dryanovo, Veliko Turnovo. We went on holiday to the coast, visited Varna, Golden Sands, Albena, Burgas and Sunny Beach. What most impressed me was the incredible scenery, and I was fascinated by the Bulgarian cuisine and spirits “Sliven’s Pearl”. I met and became friends with a very hardworking and wonderful people.

When did the idea to try starting your own business? Did your trip to Bulgaria to affect your decision to start the business?

Our idea for a business was born, while in Bulgaria in August 2008. We were very pleased with the Bulgarian jewelry that is different and has a unique design. It comes in a variety of colors and styles. It influenced our decision to try it as a family business in the U.S. We decided to present our jewelry to customers because of its interesting, unusual and elegant design. We hoped that people here will be interested in this beautiful jewelry that differ from those offered in the local market.

Typically, each beginning was associated with difficulties, but with much enthusiasm. With what will you do to start?

From the beginning we decided to place a small retail company to open a local mall to see if there is interest from American customers in Bulgarian jewelry and accessories. On October 1, 2008, we opened the shop and called it Gergana’s Couture. In the beginning it was very difficult because nobody knew us and we even had no days with a sale. Over time, however, people learned about our jewelry and liked it. Especially around the Christmas holidays, we had a lot of sales and many customers were buying gifts for family and friends, and were recommending us to their friends. Because of the economic crisis, people are not buying as much and that is why we decided to create a website and to our beautiful jewelry online sales. That was more comfortable for both of us as we are both working. We closed the shop at the end of 2008 and early March 2009 we opened our website: www.gerganas-couture.com , where everyone is welcome to visit and shop comfortably.

Today online shopping has been widely advocated. What can consumers find your website? How has your jewelry apart from other products on the market?

Nowadays, indeed, many people prefer to shop online to save time. Therefore we decided to try these things and our own website. Since we offer many modern Bulgarian and European jewelry with unique designs at affordable prices in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. Gergana on Couture’s website, we provide a guarantee of high quality for our jewelry. We strive to meet the needs and wishes of all customer groups with different tastes. Our jewelry collection is very chic. We offer a wide variety of jewelry and accessories for women, men and children. Our collection includes products made from beads, shells, wood, precious metals, glass beads, stone, leather and ceramics. We have many discounts and sales, and currently offer free shipping in the U.S. on all purchases over $ 20.

What would you to readers of the newspaper say that now Bulgaria Entrepreneurship today?

We want the readers of the newspaper to tell Bulgaria now their dreams and desires to follow and more enterprising in their search for expression. The economic situation is not very good, but we believe that everything will improve and return to normal over time. Every beginning is difficult but with perseverance, faith and hard work, anyone can achieve the most cherished dreams.

When work and ambition combined with a little luck and perseverance, all ideas to find satisfaction. You have laid the basis for your small business in a distant connection to Bulgaria. What do you want for your business to succeed and to continue the further development of your design?

We wish happiness and success in family business, but even more visitors and buyers of our beautiful Bulgarian unique jewelry. We hope that readers like the proposed collection of opinions on our website: www.gerganas-couture.com and will make choices for themselves or family members. To all readers of the newspaper Bulgaria Now we want a lot of health, good luck and may all their dreams come true! Any person can achieve what they want!

Kalina Tomova