Assistant General Manager, Marine and Technical, Kolkata

“Each day, I am immersed in the intricate dance of overseeing the operations of our fleet, guiding our crews in the art of preventing and minimising breakdowns and ensuring our vessels are sailing,” says Mr Salampuria. He draws upon his years of experience as chief engineer to do this job onshore in Kolkata, and enjoys the technical excellence his job demands as well as the camaraderie it brings. “The key to success lies in cultivating a robust foundation of technical mastery, financial insight and the agility to navigate the tides of the maritime world,” he says.

Head and General Manager, Environment, Health and Safety, Noida

When your mandate is mega-sized construction projects of national importance, ensuring adherence to health, safety and sustainability norms becomes challenging and complex. Presently, Mr Bhattacharyya ensures that workers and staff at the site of India’s largest airport, Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, are safe and the premises less hazardous and compliant with all relevant norms. “It’s a challenging career, but there are good opportunities, and if your heart is in it, it can be rewarding. There’s nothing like ensuring people are safe and taken care of,” says Mr Bhattacharyya.

Senior Commander and Training Captain, Boeing 777 fleet, Mumbai

Like any airline pilot, Captain Vajifdar’s work starts much before he enters the cockpit. His day starts at flight dispatch, where he reviews paperwork and weather forecasts, and continues through the flight until the aircraft is fully parked at its destination. “Irregular and long working hours are part of the job, but it’s exciting and fulfilling, more so because flying has always been my dream,” he says. “Pursue this profession only if you have a genuine love for aviation.”

Software Developer in the Airborne Platforms and Systems Unit, Bengaluru

When working with mission-critical systems, like UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), the margin for error is minuscule. As a developer assigned to the task of development, maintenance and improvement of these types of complex systems, Ms Singh collaborates with cross-functional teams and implements solutions to address the challenges they identify, especially the risks involved. “The sense of ownership and accomplishment drives me to give my best,” she says. “If you aspire to work in this emerging field, you need to be driven by the passion to work on cutting-edge technologies that solve complex problems — and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on national security and innovation.”

Assistant Engineer, Connected Cars, Engineering Research and Development, Pune

A quality infotainment system often makes the difference between a good car and a good car that’s a pleasure — and safe — to drive. Ms Sutar works with advanced software and hardware, and communication protocols to ensure top-class user experience, safety and seamless digital interaction. “One must keep abreast of user preferences and the intricacies of infotainment systems and how they interact with the vehicle,” says Ms Sutar. “Also, you have to love cars!”

Lead - Crash Safety Testing and Instrumentation

What does a crash test engineer do in a typical day?  For Mr Gurav, it involves designing intricate crash test scenarios, conducting full-scale impact tests and meticulously assessing the structural integrity of vehicles and occupant protection under various collision conditions. Sounds interesting? “This job requires a blend of academic competencies — mechanical engineering, materials science and impact dynamics — but also a passion for improving safety and saving life and limb. Build expertise in these and follow through with passion,” advises Mr Gurav.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, A320 fleet, Delhi

It is rare to find a woman engineer on the tarmac, working to ensure that aircraft that carry thousands of passengers are fit to fly. Rupinder Kaur of Air India is one of them. “This job can be high-pressure, particularly when you are dealing with critical safety issues and quick turnaround times. The thrill of knowing that my work helps us fly thousands of passengers and our crew to their destinations safely keeps me going,” she says. “It’s a demanding job, but there are lots opportunities to grow, especially in Air India,” Ms Kaur adds.

Manager - Environment, Health and Safety and Wildlife, Coorg

A key part of Mr Krishnan’s role is ensuring the company’s compliance with environmental regulations and fostering sustainable practices across 12,000hectare of plantations. A workday includes following radio telemetry for early warning systems, coordinating with forest officials and conducting wildlife safety programmes. A love for animals is paramount in his job, but managing elephant intrusions and ensuring the safety of workers amidst various wildlife threats is challenging. However, as Mr Krishnan says, “Embrace the unique challenges and apply your knowledge. You could make a real difference in wildlife conservation and human safety.”

Restaurant/Bar Manager, Bengaluru

Ms Mestry’s journey in bartending began when she entered a competition on the spur of the moment. Over the years, she has made a name for herself with her expertise and dedication to her craft. “Challenges weren’t specific — they were everywhere — but passion, inspiration and a dream-driven purpose kept me moving forward,” she says. Elaborating that it is a profession that demands innovation and rigour, even as it brings joy to people’s lives — she loves to ensure that her customers are delighted as they indulge in libations that are curated with novelty and enthusiasm.

Category Manager - Beauty, Mumbai

Simply put, Ms Bhurat is in the business of making you look and feel your best. Her workday, though, is slightly more complex: she focuses on trend mapping and reading about consumer behaviour, and constantly challenges herself and her team to develop and curate an innovative product range with which she aims to “surprise and delight customers”. “Beauty is an exciting and ever-evolving category where global norms are constantly being redefined,” says Ms Bhurat. “You get to push creative boundaries, challenge conventions and approach beauty with the same dynamism as fashion.”

Area Business Manager (Tanishq), Ranchi

When you walk into a Tanishq store, you can be assured of at least two things: the wide range of genuine jewellery and the enthusiasm of its staff. Much of the credit goes to area business managers like Ms Hazra (in pink), who ensure that the service is personalised, consistent and efficient, and that the designs on display are localised and aligned to customers’ tastes. “One has to move out of their comfort zone,” says Ms Hazra, “and that is key for success in a customer-centric sector such as this.”

Phlebotomist, Gurgaon

For most of us, getting pricked is a nerve-wracking experience, and it is the empathy and skill of those who administer it, like Ms Sonekar, that makes all the difference. A frontline member of Tata 1mg’s home diagnostics services, her role includes not just taking blood samples but also ensuring patient comfort and trust, accurate segregation and patient records — all critical for proper diagnosis and treatment. Ms Sonekar’s compassionate care, ability to establish rapport and explain procedures clearly, has elderly patients specifically asking for her when they raise a request. “One needs to have confidence, especially when pricking the needle,” Ms Sonekar says. “Proper training as well as guidance from seniors and colleagues is therefore very important.”

Senior Director, Data Science, Gurgaon

Ms Verma describes herself as a data whisperer who helps financial businesses unlock deeper customer connections and fuel their growth. “The thrill lies in staying ahead of the curve, mastering the latest tech and algorithms to empower the team,” she says. For those intent on pursuing a similar career, she says, “Never stop learning, never stop experimenting — that’s the key to unlocking endless possibilities.” 

Chef de Cuisine, Loya, Taj Palace, New Delhi

When you are a chef at Loya, every dish of yours needs to speak the language of the restaurant’s philosophy. For Chef Sikka, each day is centered around this unwavering commitment – tasting, refining, and ensuring that each dish meets this high standard. “The challenges are as layered as the recipes we create. Sourcing the right heirloom ingredients, honouring the authenticity of timeless techniques, and presenting them with a contemporary flourish,” he says.

What fuels him is the art of storytelling through food—the ability to evoke the aroma of a Himalayan hearth or the vibrancy of a Punjabi harvest with just a single bite. For those who aspire to be a part of such a journey, his advice is simple: “be curious, stay rooted, and let your passion for flavours be your compass.”