How hobbies drive my growth

By Manasi Chadha, Head of Digital Experience, APAC Community Operations

I am a mother to two daughters (aged seven and one), deeply passionate about my career, and someone who wants to have it all. I really do! Growing up as an only child, I was always drawn to people. So I poured my energy into hobbies that helped me meet new people and make friends––everything from drama, to debate, and now as an adult, photography. What I didn’t realize at the time was that all those auditions, workshops, and preparations turned out to be an ideal training ground for my career ahead. Here’s how:

My hobbies fuel my personal growth, creativity, and build my network

When I took up photography a couple of years ago, I could draw a lot of parallels between it and my career. Composing a photograph requires a lot of patience and vision. Your career is also like that. Collecting skills, experiences and building relationships has been a big part of my career composition. At Uber, I have found my work with employee resource groups, such as the Culture Convoy and Women at Uber, as being hugely beneficial to helping me tap into my entrepreneurial side and helping me connect with people towards a shared goal. Lead an ERG helped me derive more meaning in my work and gave me a platform to hone my skills. 

Preparation is key to career growth, but timing helps  

When taking a photograph, getting a good shot is as much serendipity as it is preparation. Last year, as the lead for Culture Convoy in India, we launched a program called Uber’s Got Talent (UGT). UGT gave a platform for creative expression to our teams in India and we discovered many artists, rockstars and nightingales amongst us. So when we were all grappling with the pandemic and the social isolation that followed, it was the UGT crew that kept us in high spirits every week during the virtual happy hours. They made the gloomy days bright and brought us all much needed cheer. 

As you look to find your balance and drive your development, consider the role that hobbies can play in driving your growth. They can help you meet new people, connect with peers, unlock new experiences and hone your skills. I hope you will consider allocating your time and energy to an extracurricular pursuit like I did. It is definitely worth it!