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As Pranshi tells it, the most significant change she encountered when joining Shell was the open sort of structure without traditional hierarchy. “I don’t need permission to talk to someone, I can just drop an email and schedule a call for a meeting. In my previous workplaces, I couldn’t interface with leadership. Communication was confined mostly to just my manager,” she explains.

Pranshi likes the team she currently works with and how together they handle the challenges that come up in their line of work. “No matter which part of the world the project is in we all know what is required for Shell to meet its compliance goals. Trading is a complicated space where we have to be on top of developments and processes. All of Shell’s trading in Trading & Supply Downstream is monitored for malpractice, so it’s our responsibility to build products that can stand up to the required monitoring standards.” 

To Pranshi, working on projects that are implemented across the world is the biggest motivation. “I’ve worked on at least one tool that’s been deployed across all Shell regions, and that was quite an experience. People still ask me questions about it, especially when newer employees are introduced to it. Working on projects like these doesn’t just lead to the evolution of the product, it leads to personal growth as well.”

Her biggest motivation, she is quick to add, is the people around her, especially when she comes into the office. Another major reason why she has continued to work with Shell and intends to stick around is the work-life balance. “It’s a great culture. I know that tomorrow if I need help or support, Shell will have my back,” she says. “I injured my ankle back in 2017 and had to work from home for a month and a half, well before that became the norm. I was just told to return whenever I feel fine."

Speaking of work-life balance, she says Shell’s culture gives her plenty of time to pursue her hobbies. “I’m an avid yoga practitioner, and my job leaves me enough free time to practise regularly,” she says. “I joined the Yoga Federation last year and even won a few of their competitions. Yoga was something I first learned when I was seven or eight, but it fizzled out over time. It was only last year, 2021, that I felt I had enough time to restart it in earnest. Specifically, getting six days of leave for the yoga nationals was far from the wrestling match I thought it to be.”

“I know work-life balance is an individual struggle for everyone, but an organisation plays a huge role in enabling this.”

It all seems like Pranshi is more than happy to stick around at Shell, something she decidedly agrees with even if she doesn’t know in what capacity. “I think I know what I want 2-3 years from now, but not 10,” she says. 

“I see myself still working in IT, though perhaps more technically and functionally skilled with more knowledge in my domain. I’d also love to take on a role handling multiple portfolios and products for the business.”

One thing she does know is that she isn’t the one to happily retire at 40. “I need free time but not that much, so I would like to work for as long as I can. Although, in my 60’s or 70’s, maybe I’d want some of my students doing yoga with me. That and travel the world of course.”