Mrs. Shreejana KC, the versatile lady in business, the CEO of Maya Animation Academy is a very humble, down to earth personality. She is a hard working, dedicated businesswoman who is striving to succeed in the business world. With ample education and still learning, she is an prime example to all the ladies setting a perfect example of sacrifice and commitment. We bring her candid talk with us.
1. What do you miss most of your childhood?
Actually lot of things! I was an introvert. Till four years I was not able to talk properly. I was close with my dad and still am. I was not a demanding child. I always did my work first and was not that open with my relatives. This happened till my grade ten. The life was quite fun as the same time. You understand? That freedom! We could laugh openly without any constraints. We had all the facilities, was provided in my childhood. What, I miss the most about my childhood was being free. I didn’t have to make any decision. As now I have to take lots of decisions. I miss that part of my childhood. I could wake up at late in the morning. My dad played role of friends and coach for me. To make me independent he taught me cycling and other games (though I didn’t want to do all those). After I returned from home I used to complete my assignment before anything. So I miss the entire part of childhood. Wish I could go back (with a smile)
2. How growing age was like; family, siblings?
My family is KC family. There were no culture of discrimination among daughters and sons. We were treated equally. Our family is women dominant. As I was introvert, my dad, mum cousins everyone loved me a lot. They knew I m not comfortable talking so they accepted it and let me whatever I wanted to be. I never loved family gathering. In my family I am the elder child. More than my younger brothers, I was loved more as I am the only daughter in my family.
- What made you inclined towards engineering?
After my SLC, I was not guided properly on which field I should pick. As my family background is engineering, my father is a teacher at Pulchowk Engineering Campus, I did it because of my daddy. I never wanted to do engineering. I wanted to do arts and go towards social subject like Sociology or Social Work. I joined Godawari for the same after my SLC’s result. But after Dashain I joined Pulchowk College.
3. Any memorable incident while studying undergraduate and postgraduate?
As I was already married during my undergraduate studies, I couldn’t spend my time with my family. I was more focused towards in-laws and the society. I was still at my teenage during my undergraduate. I remember when I was in my final year we (me and my friends) used to bribe the guard, so that he would let us go out and bunk college. We then went for movies, hanging out at Indreni food land. For the first time I travelled in public vehicle (Nepal Yatat) with my friends. There were people who took advantage in public vehicle and I always used to suggest my friends to keep compass and poke those men with it. Time passed and during my post graduate I became more matured and could take decision myself. Our class used to start at 5PM in the evening. We used hang out with friends at cafe and college bus used to drop us late. We were professional and matured.
4. What was the perception of people back then, a female engineer and a professional?
When I started my parents were very supportive and still are. I am the only engineer daughter from my family as others are doctors, army officers and in other professions. My in laws always used to question “Can she really do engineering? Would she succeed? Think about it! ” those kinds of perceptions, you know. Rather than supporting me they said “It would be better if you switch your expertise or education”. As I am stubborn kind of person, I wanted to prove them and wanted to complete my engineering. I knew I could complete it and I did it. After completion of my bachelor the same people 14 UDAAN ~ FLY HIGH JUN-SEP 2017 JUN-SEP 2017 UDAAN ~ FLY HIGH 15 questioned me regarding the profession or my further move. As the investment was huge and to be sold as professional in the market, I continued my study.
5. How did you start your career?
As I was not demanding from my childhood, during my bachelor till I was married I didn’t ask anything from my parents and husband. I took tuition to grade 10 students. That used to be my pocket money and was happy about it. After bachelor, one of my friends suggested me to work in a private firm where they would pay 2500 per month. I thought that is so minimum amount, my household worker are earning more than that so I didn’t join there but my friend did. As she joined there and gained experience, her salary increased to 15000. And I was stuck behind. I got pressure from my home. And then I went to teach. I could earn 3500 from a single class. Slowly I learnt and was able to develop my network. From that I slowly learnt NGO Management. I always had big dreams but my knowledge were implemented nowhere. And I thought about INGO’s. People never trusted me. They said you have no experience and thinking about joining INGO’s which is impossible. And then I applied in USAID. After 9 months the result was published. I joined there as IT Specialist. After that I worked as Project manager in INGO and Research and Development manager. Later I joined as BOD of Southwestern. I also joined HOPE College as CEO and now I am the CEO of MAYA Animation Academy.
6. What was the challenging part of your first job?
People never accepted me, as I was too young, 23 only. They never trusted my abilities. And in USAID people used to say we have experience professional of 25 – 30 years more than even my age and is my degree enough for your role? Even after I joined HOPE college people used to say I am involved in family business. I am not self made person. There is a god father behind me. People never trusted my abilities, my skills, my thinking. Still people don’t trust my ability until and unless they talk with me and know me in person. People still have question s why the animation business? Now I am in an independent business. And I am taking my stand and will make this successful on my own.
7. Who do you idealize the most?
My dad, because of him I am stronger. He is always there for me to support, to motivate and to cheer me every moment. He doesn’t want to listen anything against me. He wants me to be bold (doing bike stunt, giving speech). He wants me as a Hitler type of person ( with a long laugh). He always says never give up; I am always there for you no matter what. My husband and my brothers also support me. Mum is always there. So I feel I am blessed with my family. I also feel empowered through Opra Winfrey, Maya Angelou; the way they have carried themselves against all the odds. I listen to their speeches. Recently m listening to JLO (Jenifer Lopez).
8. As a wife, mother and a professional, what is the key of having your aspirations intact?
It’s really hard to become a mother. Still I am facing it. Being mother and wife is challenging. I love to spend my time as a professional women rather than mother and wife. After my marriage I had to do some of the thing with compulsion. Otherwise I am not housewife kind of person.
9. What sacrifices have you made in pursuit of your dreams?
If I have to recall I miss my teen age (That life, that moment, hanging out with my friends). I got married at early age. I became mother. I left my 3 days older daughter and went to take my exam. Nobody supported me, but my dad was there who helped me to take my exam despite lots of problems. When my younger daughter was 3 months old, I left her and went India for my thesis defence. And when she was 6 months old I went US. I sacrificed my motherhood. I choose my career rather than being a mother. As my husband was out of country those days, I really had hard time to manage my academic and professional life.
10. You were the CEO of HOPE College. How was life back then?
Managing employee was not easy job there. I was confident. I knew I could do it. At HOPE I learned about crisis management. I was able to build my network, my PR, how to work in tough culture. Yes, I learned lot about management.
11. Despite of your busy schedule, what you love to do in leisure time?
I don’t want to keep leisure time. But yes I love music. Music makes me feel relaxed. Previously I used to play volleyball. But now I love to spend time with my children and my parents.
12. Now you have become the CEO of Maya, countries top animation school and production house. What made you jump into animation?
My nature is to try new thing. For me accepting challenge is a fun thing to do. I never want to stop. I learned from my previous experiences. As I am from IT background, animation is a part of it. So it is the obvious reason for me choosing animation industry. As there is scope of animation I came in this field.
13. You have immense experience. What’s next industry you want to bag in?
Never know. But now I will be focusing on MAYA. I am planning to expand it further and take it global.
14. Where do you see yourself, ten years down the line?
I am not too famous in Nepal but I see myself in top 10 in the world as a strong women. Let’s see if I could make some shape within 5 years.
15. What keeps you moving ahead?
Self empowerment, positive thoughts, motivation and never give up attitude.
16. Do you remember any situation, where you almost gave up? What did you learn?
No. I never try those things which I am not comfortable with. I never attempt those things. I do whatever I feel like doing with my skills, hard work, dedication and passion.
17. You are also a PhD scholar. Could you please tell us about the research you are working on?
My academic and professional life is totally different. My interest is engineering and my work is in management. I want to link up those two things. That is why I want to take those two things parallel. I want to merge those. During my masters I did my thesis on “Application of E-governance in an organization”. Currently I am doing my research on cloud computing, “Developing a framework, using cloud computing in E-governance.” Still, I am on my literature Review phase.
18. What is next on your travel list? Can you share some memorable travel incidents?
I love travelling. But I want to travel in Nepal. I haven’t explored much here in Nepal. And India is the second place I love to go. Travelling teach many lessons. My checklist is Santorini (Greece) and Switzerland. And for Business I am planning to go UK. I face lot of problems because I am vegetarian. When I travelled China and Thailand, I had terrible time. They don’t have vegetarian food. So yes food has been the biggest problem for me. I stayed hungry most of the time during my stay in China. I just had fruits and juice there.
19. You are role model to many aspiring female engineers and leaders. What do you want to say to them?
Dream big! Think Big! You will definitely get what you want. As I dream big, I have got everything in my life. This is proven in my case. So don’t stop dreaming. But yes you must have willingness to achieve that dream. Never think about your weakness. Don’t let your weakness cover your dream.
20. Udaan was started by engineers just like you. What message would you like to say to us and our readers?
Engineers are diverse. They are multitalented. They have broad thinking. They can accept challenge and can work in any condition. For Udaan, if you want to do there are more scopes, but you have to be specific and move ahead. And when you succeed, take the next step.
