I have not built my career by always knowing the answer.
I have built it by stepping into rooms where the answer was still being found and trusting myself to ask the right questions.
A new country. A new business unit. A customer-facing role. A microgrid business I was still learning. A room where I was the only woman, while people asked whether I was sure I could take on the opportunity with a three-year-old daughter at home.
I was sure.
Not because I had every answer, but because I knew how to learn, build relationships, think strategically, and solve problems.
That belief has carried me across 18 years, three countries, nine roles, and multiple business units at Schneider Electric. It is also why my advice to early-career professionals, engineers, and anyone considering what comes next is simple:
Get in the driver’s seat of your own career.
I wanted to be in the other seat
Before joining Schneider Electric, I worked for a smaller company that used Schneider components. I remember watching utility customers arrive for factory witness tests and thinking, “I wish I were in the other seat.”
I had the same thought later, when we negotiated major equipment contracts with global companies like Schneider Electric. I wanted to be part of an organization where I could keep learning, growing, and contributing at a larger scale.
I did not know exactly how I would get there, but I knew where I wanted to go.
That experience taught me something important: career ownership often starts before the opportunity is visible. Sometimes it begins with recognizing the destination before you know the route.
Do not count yourself out
I did not always know I would become an engineer, but I have always been a problem solver. As a child, I was hands-on, curious, and willing to ask questions. Engineering became a place where I could turn that curiosity into impact.
When I joined Schneider Electric in India 18 years ago, I focused on technical work and learning everything I could. Early in my journey, I was offered an opportunity to join a brand-new business unit, which required relocating to another state for nine months.
I was the only woman on the team, and I had a three-year-old daughter at home.
People asked thoughtful questions: Was I sure I wanted the role? Was I comfortable being the only woman? How would I manage the move and care for my daughter?
I appreciated that the conversation was open, but I did not want assumptions made about my ambition before I could decide for myself. With the support of my family, I accepted the assignment. My father came with me to help care for my daughter, while my husband and father-in-law encouraged me not to compromise my career.
That experience reinforced something I still believe today: no one succeeds alone. Behind many career moves is a family member, mentor, sponsor, teammate, or community helping make growth possible. But you still have to believe in your own ability to step forward.
Build the career before you can see it
Later, I was recognized as a top talent in India, which opened the door to deeper conversations about where I wanted my career to go.
I knew I wanted international experience and eventually wanted to lead a business. Every move needed to be intentional, not just the next step, but a step toward something larger.
That mindset eventually brought me to Canada, where I progressed from project coordinator to project manager, senior project manager, team lead, and program manager. Each role helped me broaden my perspective, learn from others, and demonstrate what I could do in a highly cross-functional organization.
Along the way, I received the North America President Award, but the recognition was never the goal. For me, success has always been about continuous learning, teamwork, solving meaningful problems, and earning trust.
Over time, I built what Schneider Electric calls a T-shaped career: deep technical expertise combined with broader experience across project management, business leadership, customer-facing work, and strategy. That growth happened one role, one mentor, one certification, and one stretch opportunity at a time.
That same mindset reflects how Schneider Electric continues building on 190 years of innovation: through people who keep learning, adapting, and solving new problems.
Courage before expertise
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that you do not need to know everything before taking the next opportunity.
When Schneider Electric launched its microgrid business in North America, I was not a microgrid expert. What I did have were transferable skills: relationship-building, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
Over time, I built a reputation as a problem solver. Leaders began pulling me into complex challenges because they trusted me to ask the right questions, bring people together, and help find a path forward.
Too often, people wait until they feel fully ready.
My advice? Do not wait.
Be curious. Ask questions. Learn as you go.
During one of my first microgrid site visits, I was once again the only woman on the site. Surrounded by experienced contractors, customers, and colleagues, I was still learning the language of that environment. But I knew how to prepare, listen, and ask thoughtful questions.
When the team used a ladder to access part of the site, I asked whether there was another safe option because of my fear of heights. There was.
That moment reminded me that asking questions is not a weakness. It is part of leadership.
Some of the most successful people I know are not the ones with all the answers. They are the ones willing to ask thoughtful questions when they do not.
You may start with 10% of the knowledge. Your responsibility is to listen, take notes, ask questions, and turn that 10% into 50%, then keep building from there.
I also learned that growth does not happen in isolation.
More than networking
That same philosophy led me to organizations like the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Women in Schneider Electric (WISE).
SWE connects engineering professionals and students through networking, professional development, and knowledge sharing. Within Schneider Electric, our Schneider SWE Community and WISE network help employees build connections, learn from one another, and grow their careers.
When I moved to Canada, I intentionally sought out these communities. What I found was much more than networking.
I found mentors, role models, opportunities to volunteer, and chances to practice leadership long before I held a formal leadership title. SWE and WISE helped me see that leadership is not a title. It is action, responsibility, and the willingness to create value wherever you are.
They also showed me the power of community: learning from people with shared experiences, opening doors for one another, and helping others see what is possible.
People sometimes call me a networking queen, but networking has never been about knowing the most people. It is about showing up with intention, contributing genuinely, learning from others, and building meaningful relationships.
Show up prepared
As I prepare for this year’s SWE Conference, I am looking forward to sharing insights on industry standards, influence, and negotiation while connecting with future engineers and leaders.
When someone asks for my advice on attending a conference like SWE, my answer is always the same:
Show up prepared. Show up curious. Show up ready to learn.
The conversations you have could shape your future. The person you meet might become a mentor. The session you almost skip could introduce a career path you never considered.
If you are exploring opportunities, do your research. Understand the role, know your strengths, and start conversations from a place of preparation.
Most importantly, invest in yourself. Continue learning. Seek feedback. Ask for help. Raise your hand. Build on your strengths and use them to create impact. That mindset has opened doors throughout my career.
Get involved
If you are attending SWE this year, take full advantage of the experience. Visit the Schneider Electric booth, attend sessions, and introduce yourself to our team.
And if you are a Schneider Electric employee who has not explored WISE, attend an event, volunteer, or start a conversation. You never know where a new connection might lead.
Careers are not built alone.
They are built through learning, relationships, courage, preparation, and community.
And sometimes, it starts with taking the first step and getting in the driver’s seat.
Building careers through curiosity and community
At Schneider Electric, we know careers aren’t built alone. They grow through learning, meaningful relationships, supportive communities, and the courage to take on what’s next. Whether you’re just beginning your career or exploring a new direction, you’ll find opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow alongside people who are helping shape the future.
Explore careers at Schneider Electric and discover where curiosity and community can take you.
Join our talent community and search open roles.
About the author
Pinky Thakkar, Director, Customer Experience – GSC/NAM ETO Cluster – Schneider Electric
Pinky Thakkar is a Schneider Electric leader, problem solver, and advocate for continuous learning. Over 18 years, her career has spanned three countries, 9 roles, and multiple business units, reflecting her passion for curiosity, courage, and intentional growth. Through her involvement with SWE and WISE, she is committed to helping women in engineering build confidence, community, and careers with purpose.
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