When I consider the topic of 'Empowering Women' I don't look at someone else to take up the mantle on this, but ourselves. Life always presents us with opportunities, however, it is the choices we make that define us.

Today more than ever women have the opportunity to do so many different things and play so many roles at the same time, which naturally generates an increased complexity in prioritising. I think it is important for us to not look at all choices as absolutes, it is important to consider options and alternatives to achieve what you want if you really want it. Sometimes your chosen path may not appear to be a feasible option in the short term, but don't lose sight of it because it maybe something that will work out down the line.     

Most of the organisations today have focused plans on gender diversity and strongly support it. In this environment we need to see how we would like to leverage the system. Given the multiple roles and demands in life it's important for us to articulate both in the workplace and at home, what our priorities are at a given point in time. I think we all recognise that at different points in life we have different set of priorities and as these change we need to ensure the environment around us is aware of that, only then can it provide the necessary support.

I have seen this work for me across the span of my career. When I started out it was important for me to enlist my family first into what I wanted. With their support it has been a lot easier to make some choices along the way.

Then again when my son was born I realised the kind of role I was doing needed me to be available across time zones and that would not work, so I discussed this with the organisation and identified alternative opportunities. I re-skilled myself for the role and while it did take me out of core technology for a while, it gave me the time that I was looking for and I was able to acquire an additional skill that I could use later.

In an ever changing world we need to be flexible in how we look at opportunities, while on the face of it something may not appear to be what you want, it may actually open doors for you which you never thought possible.

As businesses expand and resources become more transferable across boundaries, it is a market that demands skills and not gender. It is important to recognise this fact as we build a career in today's global environment. Spend time to build new skills, network, showcase your capabilities and work towards acquiring experiences that make you valuable to this market place.

The author is Training Manager at Microsoft India Global Technical Support Center.