From Data Dreams to Duo Power: A Real Journey in Tech

Hey data fam,

We know your feed is full of perfect portfolios and polished promotions. But this week, we’re hitting pause on the tech topics to share something a little less “glamorous” and a lot more real — our journey as a Desi couple navigating tech, parenting, and career pivots, one intentional step at a time.

🛤️ Part 1: Where It All Started

Our journeys into tech didn’t follow any clear roadmaps - in fact, they were more like winding paths through uncertainty and ambition. Both of us grew up in India, surrounded by the ever-growing influence of technology but without clear guidance on how to get into it.

The Beginnings:

We both entered the tech world through different doors, driven by a shared curiosity about how technology could improve lives. Mohit’s journey began with a deep fascination about how tech could transform the way we live. It was a broad, almost abstract interest that soon led him to his first role in an MNC, where he quickly learned to wear many hats — from coding to troubleshooting. The environment was chaotic and exciting, but it was there that he first encountered the world of data and discovered his love for SQL. This marked the beginning of his data journey, sparking an enduring passion for working with data. Through these experiences, Mohit also realized the invaluable power of networking and the importance of finding mentors early in one’s career.

On the other hand, Rehana’s love for tech began in school, where she first fell in love with coding and built her very first application — a beauty parlour billing system in FoxPro. This early experience set the foundation for a career that would later revolve around data. Rehana began her career in a large bank, where she found the structure and mentorship invaluable. However, the pressure and fast-paced environment were overwhelming at times. Long hours, constant competition, and the pressure to climb the corporate ladder didn’t make it glamorous, but it laid the groundwork for a deeper understanding of data-driven decision-making and a sense of resilience that would stay with her throughout her career.

Our Paths Crossed:
As our careers evolved in India, fate had its way of bringing our professional lives together. We both worked in the same organization, where we crossed paths through mutual connections. It didn’t take long before we realized we shared not just a love for technology but also a set of life values and principles that brought us closer as friends — and, eventually, as partners in both life and work.

🌱 Part 2: Growth, Pivots & Intentional Choices

We’ve both taken unconventional turns in our careers — and none of them were part of a "perfect plan."

Switching roles:
Mohit transitioned from a Developer role to BI in India, and later from BI to Data Engineering in the U.S. Rehana made similar moves early on, navigating between ETL-centric and BI teams — back when those functions were clearly separated. These shifts demanded constant learning and the ability to wear different hats based on industry needs. In tech, staying relevant often means being open to change — and taking risks when needed.

Moving countries:
Relocating to the U.S. for masters and then to Canada for work were few other big steps. It meant starting over in many ways — rebuilding networks, adapting to new work cultures, and embracing uncertainty.

Going remote:
We embraced remote work long before it was the norm, seeking flexibility and autonomy over rigid schedules. It gave us the space to focus on what truly mattered — both professionally and personally.

Pausing to raise our child:
Perhaps the most intentional decision of all was stepping away from fast-paced careers to focus on raising our daughter. It wasn’t easy. There were moments when we wondered if we were falling behind.

But every decision — whether it was upskilling, saying yes to remote work, or choosing to slow down — came from a place of clarity. We didn’t want to burn out chasing someone else’s version of success. We wanted to grow on our own terms.

💡 Part 3: Why We Started DesiDataDuo

We created DesiDataDuo as a space for people like us — engineers, immigrants, parents, side-project dreamers — who want to build meaningful tech careers without selling their soul to the hustle.

We’ll keep sharing tutorials, project demos, and data deep-dives. But every now and then, we’ll also share what doesn’t get posted on LinkedIn: the self-doubt, the lessons, the small wins, and the choices we’ve made to build something slower but stronger.

⏭️ Coming Up Next

We’re back to our tech stuff with end to end data projects series next week — walking you through our free-tier data engineering demo. And yes, the GitHub repo is dropping soon. 🙌

In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you: What’s one career choice you’ve made for your well-being?
Reply and let’s talk real stories — not highlight reels.

With heart,
The DesiDataDuo