I first became interested in math and science as a child, and that passion has followed me ever since. I got my masters in Applied Electronics, and part of my curriculum included low-level assembly language programming. That sparked my interest in programming, and I began exploring software and business application development.

I began my career as a C++ programmer, and moved on to Java/J2EE Programming, enterprise software application development and cloud computing. I joined Salesforce in 2011 as an MTS, started to learn and expand my domain knowledge, and held positions in SMTS and, later, LMTS.

Today, I’m the Lead Member of the Technical Staff leading two technical teams in IT. I architect and design high-performing and scalable solutions; and guide engineers to successfully design, develop and deliver features. I also provide consultations, options, solutions and guidance to the business and technical teams; and promote and champion coding, design, security, and architecture best practices.

And this is just the beginning. Every day, I look for new opportunities to innovate and architect easy-to-use solutions. I seek constant feedback from my coworkers, managers, and technical and business teams, which helps me keep improving at what I do. And I take advantage of new opportunities to gain a better understanding of how customers use our products

A career in IT provides endless opportunities to innovate, grow, and make a difference. I encourage everyone considering a future in this field to explore it. Here are four reasons why.

1. You will learn a ton.

I have learned so much from the exceptionally talented and intelligent people around me. Together, we solve problems, share knowledge, innovate, collaborate, and guide other engineers and business teams. My team keeps me inspired and motivated, and their feedback helps me grow as a professional. I also have had incredible opportunities to learn new technologies, push outside my comfort zone, and expand my technical and functional expertise.

2. You can make an impact.

You will have the chance to use cutting-edge technologies and build efficient solutions that solve difficult business problems and make a huge impact on customers and larger technical communities. Every time you build something, you will think about the big picture, and consider how a certain feature or change will impact the team, the department, and the company. This will help drive success for your users. You may have the opportunity to participate in Hackathons, technology conferences like Dreamforce, and pro bono volunteer work; take advantage of them to give back to your community.

3. You can find work-life balance.

Yes, balancing a job in IT and family life is challenging – parents need to spend a lot of time at work to excel, and also need to spend time at home and be there for their kids. But it is possible. I know this since I have two active boys who need me. To make it work, I dedicate time to my children every evening. Although I’m not always there for every field trip, I make it a point to be there whenever I can and when I’m there, give them my undivided attention. I also welcome help from my spouse, family and friends … I wouldn’t be able to do it all without their support.

4. You can break the mold.

We need more women to bring diversity, balance, and new perspectives to the IT industry. Things are changing, and there are definitely many more women than when I started by career.  Make use of the opportunities available to you: connect with the communities that exist to support women in technology such as Girlforce, Women in Technology, and LeanIn circles. Reach out to a role model or a mentor, and take constant feedback to improve yourself. Have the confidence to express your views, and never be afraid to speak up. And most importantly … be yourself!

The best career advice I ever received is this: “You succeed best and quickest by helping others succeed.” I truly believe that. In IT, and in every industry, we have so much to learn from one another. It is our responsibility to help each other achieve our career goals. By networking, mentoring, and working together, we will all be able to rise up and achieve incredible things.

The Salesforce Woman of the Month campaign turns the spotlight on the amazing women who help make Salesforce one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies according to Forbes and one of Fortune Magazine’s Best Companies to Work For. Honorees are nominated by fellow employees and selected by a dedicated committee that works to ensure a variety of roles and regions are honored.

To hear more from Madhu Katragadda, make sure to connect with her on LinkedIn. And stay tuned for more insights from our next Salesforce Woman of the Month, coming your way in December.