Finding Purpose Beyond the Silicon: Transitioning into the Nonprofit Sector

I wasn’t one of those kids who knew what career they wanted to be in since they were 5 years old. It was a doctor one week, a teacher the other and then a bus conductor. But having a father who was a Marine Engineer and a grandfather who raced cars every chance he got, it should come as no surprise that I ended up in the big tech world.

Science fascinated me in school, but so did social studies, anthropology and all the other ‘hippy dippy’ subjects us engineers often refer to them as. My mother likes to repeatedly tell this one story of when I was 7 years old, watching a documentary about human evolution. The story goes, all the grown-ups were explaining the show to me and trying to simplify how human beings came to be. I had allegedly sat quietly thinking for a while and then ran to my grandmother who was in the kitchen and asked her pretty seriously, if her great grandmother was a monkey…. honestly, not far off.

The point is mini me was a big fan of the Discovery channel and while my adult background is almost completely rooted in engineering, my childhood was full of art, volunteering and LOTS of animals. I always knew that at some point in life, I would seek an industry rooted in community upliftment.

When I moved to the US for higher education I was convinced I wanted to be an Environmental Engineer; save the planet and all that. But when we learned about global sewage systems in my second semester, I was immediately out. After switching to Mechanical Engineering, having a successful career and taking on several leadership roles in the tech industry, it was a shock to many people in my life, when I took the role of Director at a small (but mighty) grassroots organization, called Ashiyanaa. I was looking for a way to take everything I had learned in the corporate world and apply it to a nonprofit making a real difference. Nonprofit organizations are driven by a cause, a purpose that goes beyond financial gain. It also offers a unique and dynamic work environment, encourages creativity, innovation and adaptability to navigate the challenges that come with limited resources and tight budgets.

This type of environment fosters growth, learning and the opportunity to develop a diverse ‘world view’. Ultimately, what motivated me to apply to a nonprofit job was the potential opportunity to simultaneously expand my knowledge while contributing to a cause I cared deeply about.

Ashiyanaa’s mission is “Empowering South Asians to lead peaceful lives with dignity, hope and self-sufficiency by providing comprehensive and culturally sensitive services” and serves all South Asians with origins in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

My interview with Ashiyanaa was my first time interviewing with a non-corporate organization. I had read up as much as I could but remember feeling nervous walking in. I can confidently say that I had never in my career in the US, met 8 more passionate people. The Ashiyanaa board consists of a 100% volunteer run, active group of people who, up until that point had worked directly with clients facing years of domestic violence, abandonment, isolation and so much more. I knew this was a group of people I wanted to make a difference in the community with.

It’s been 8 months since I joined Ashiyanaa, and I go home everyday, energized by the meaningful work we’ve accomplished together. One of the biggest draws for me was the fact that Ashiyanaa’s mission is to support people that not only look like me, but also may have had similar world experiences. Being an immigrant in the US today comes with its own set of challenges and Ashiyanaa is here to provide support; whether that’s connecting individuals to legal aid, mental health services or providing career counseling.

A key area we’re focusing on this year is our senior program, which aims to create a space for South Asian seniors to connect with other seniors in the community. According to a recent Advocacy Brief by the WHO, up to 34% of older people in the US experience social isolation and loneliness daily. Since 2020, Ashiyana’s senior program has expanded to include all individuals aged 60 and above and their caregivers. The program includes a bi-weekly “Chai & Chat,” where we engage with seniors in a range of activities including bingo, trivia/ jeopardy games, chair yoga, poetry discussions, educational sessions on topics such as financial literacy, cybersecurity, and mental health and wellbeing, and more.

As part of our senior program expansion plan, we hosted our inaugural ‘Seniors’ Meet n Greet’ on July 29th from 11 am – 2:30 pm at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191. Over 70 seniors attended, and we all had a fantastic time. Seniors participated in fun games, had delicious desi food, chai and those who weren’t afraid of a little healthy competition, won prizes. It was a wonderful event that emphasized the importance of social connections and fostered a sense of community. These events for seniors and their caregivers will be held regularly and are a great opportunity to come together and make new friends. We’re already looking forward to our next meet n greet! Follow us on social media to find out when our next event will take place.

If you ask me what I’m most excited about, I’d have to say our upcoming gala. After 3 long years (thanks Covid), Ashiyanaa is thrilled to host its fundraising gala on September 16th in Herndon, VA! The challenges our clients face are real, from navigating interpersonal (or domestic) violence issues and intergenerational dynamics to combating social isolation and cultural barriers – but together we can make a difference. Join us on September 16 to support our mission and celebrate the resilience of the community we are proud to serve everyday. Be part of the change and secure your spot now for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, connection, and impact.

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