From a modest upbringing in Wardha to becoming the Deputy General Manager of Product Quality at Tata Cummins, Shruti Gaulkar’s journey is built on her relentless pursuit of purpose. With every step, from teaching in classrooms to leading teams in corporate boardrooms, Shruti Gaulkar has broken barriers and redefined what it means to succeed as a woman in the field of engineering. Her message is clear: your career is your identity, and no woman should ever give up on it.
Shruti Gaulkar’s story begins in the quiet town of Wardha, near Nagpur, a place not often found on the industrial map, but where her dreams quietly took shape. In 2013, she graduated from Bapurao Deshmukh College of Engineering, Wardha, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She started her career as a lecturer at DY Patil College, Pune and in 2015, she joined Cummins as a product design engineer. Shruti Gaulkar speaks with Machine Maker about her journey and her perspectives on women in the manufacturing industry.
A Dream Born in Wardha
Shruti’s journey to becoming a Mechanical Engineer resembles many stories of women who pursued a career against odds. As the eldest child in a financially constrained household, Shruti Gaulkar learned early on what responsibility meant. Her childhood was divided between her parents’ home and her Bua’s, where she absorbed the life skills that would one day shape her career, confidence, emotional resilience, and financial literacy. “There was never a plan B. Not earning was not an option,” she says, reflecting on her determination to rise.
Reflecting on her college days, she says, “It is a relatively old college, and during my time there, there were just two or three girls in the mechanical branch.” She also shares how her relatives suggested she choose electronics or computers as her subjects; however, she was always drawn to machines and was determined to pursue mechanical engineering. She adds, “That decision has been the backbone of my professional journey.” Despite opposition from loved ones who feared the male-dominated field, Shruti remained steadfast in her passion.
After Shruti’s graduation, she moved to Pune in search of a job and got her first opportunity in academia, joining as a lecturer at DY Patil College, Akurdi. Her journey from dusty classrooms in Wardha to the bustling streets of Pune was a geographical shift, a step into a new world. During her teaching career, she decided to further her education and pursued an MTech from Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, managing both academics and studies between 2013 and 2015.
Teaching gave her confidence and a sense of grounding, but her aspirations were larger. While pursuing her MTech, she secured an opportunity at Cummins India Limited as a Design Engineer, marking the beginning of her corporate career. Around the same time, her MTech research work was accepted for publication in an IEEE Journal, and she got invited to present her paper at a conference in London. She reminisces, “It was an incredible and eye-opening experience to be among global academic leaders.” She even received an offer to pursue a PhD from a Chinese professor based on her research. Still, she refused as her priority was to establish her career and become financially independent, and chose to continue working.
Back at Cummins India Limited, her work spoke louder than words. Shruti began her career as a Product Design Engineer, and within two years, she was promoted to Senior Design Engineer, followed by a further advancement to Technical Specialist. She acknowledges that the journey is filled with ups and downs and requires hard work. However, it was rewarding.
After six and a half years with Cummins, Shruti felt ready for a new challenge and shifted to the Product Quality domain by joining TATA Cummins Limited. She says, “I took up the role of Product Quality Manager, and within a year and a half, I was promoted to Deputy General Manager.” Today, Shruti has ten years of corporate experience and two years in academia. The small-town girl who once needed a job before her results came out now manages teams, leads strategy, and inspires change in a multinational organisation.
Passion for Teaching: Going the Xtra Mile!
For Shruti, teaching was something she genuinely loved. Standing in front of a class of 80 students, managing everything from lectures to discipline to results, gave her a great sense of responsibility and pride. She claims, “I always believed that every student in my class should perform well, and I took that very seriously. The class results during those two years at DY Patil College, Akurdi, were excellent, and I am proud of what I achieved as a lecturer.”
According to her, the academic world is very different from the corporate one; it opened up a whole new dimension for her. She agrees by saying, “I started getting on-site opportunities and exposure through my work, which was amazing.” She had the opportunity to interact with great leaders, learn from them, and gain new perspectives. However, for Shruti, it was a significant shift—unlike in teaching, where she was the central figure in the class, holding everything together. In the corporate space, especially as a fresher, it was all about adapting, collaborating and managing stakeholders.
In those early years, she says, “I had to say ‘yes’ to everything, whether or not I had the bandwidth.” She stretched herself to the limit, took on multiple responsibilities, and never hesitated to go the extra mile. She continues, “However, after several years in the industry, I have reached a point where I can confidently say ‘no’ when I am already loaded and set healthy boundaries.”
According to Shruti, teaching is something she loves, and after she retires from the corporate world, she wants to return to teaching. For her, teaching holds a special place in her heart. Some of her former students still stay in touch with her. She shares an instance where, on the occasion of Guru Purnima, about four to five of her students reach out to her, and it always feels heartwarming. It reminds her of the impact she had at that time.
A Voice for Women Who Won’t Quit
As for family support, she agrees that her journey was not easy. Her father worked in a private job with a daily income, and financial stability was a constant struggle for them. Being the eldest of three siblings, and due to financial constraints, she spent a large part of her childhood with her aunts and grandparents. However, those difficult times taught her a great deal—the confidence, financial literacy, and life skills—which she applies today in her life. She says, “I owe much of it to those experiences at my Bua’s (aunt’s) place. It shaped who I am today.”
Eventually, she got her parents’ full support. With all the challenges, they stood by her side and encouraged her to continue. For Shruti, starting her career immediately was something she had to do. She emotionally stated, “I had to work immediately after graduation, even before my results were out. There was no backup plan. I had to earn, it was always a do-or-die situation.”
Looking back on her journey, it seems overwhelming to Shruti. During her post-10th classes, she never imagined herself to be a mechanical engineer, pursuing a master’s degree, publishing research in IEEE, working in top organisations and building the life she has now. She is grateful to God and to everyone who was a part of her journey.
Shruti admits to experiencing the ‘difference’, being a female, especially during her early years of her career. She explains, “When you are new, just one or two years into an organisation, your opinions often do not carry the same weight, especially when people with significantly more experience surround you or when you are the only woman in a male-dominated environment.”
There were times when she genuinely felt that the opinions of male colleagues were considered more seriously, even if her input was equally valid. According to her, it is something that not everyone may want to acknowledge openly, but it is a reality she has experienced. “In those days, I did feel a sense of isolation; there were groups of male colleagues who seemed to bond naturally, communicating in a certain way and navigating things more easily among themselves. I often found myself wondering how I felt out or why it was hard to be part of those circles,” she asserts. However, as she proved herself, her inputs began to be valued.
Shruti’s Take on Career, Family and Womanhood
Despite building a strong career, Shruti never forgets the road she travelled. Shruti realised that she never had any direct role model growing up. For her, it was always a matter of do or die. But if there is someone she truly admires, it will be Indra Nooyi. The way she speaks, the ownership she takes, the grace and strength she carries—it was always inspiring for her. She shares, “I truly want to build myself in that direction. I know it will take years, but that’s the kind of leader I aspire to be.”
“Don’t give up on your dreams, even when life gets hard. Your education, your ambition, your financial independence, they are not just yours, they shape your family, your identity, and your future”, she quotes. There are many instances where her female batchmates across different branches, who were once ambitious and talented, slowly step away from their careers. Sometimes it happens due to family responsibilities, sometimes it is due to pressure or a lack of support.
There are challenges, being a woman, being a working woman. Marriage, motherhood, kids, it is not easy. Shruti shares, “I have a three and a half year old son, and both my husband and I have demanding careers. But we make it work. We are each other’s support system. That’s key, you must build a support system, and hold on to your dreams even when it’s hard.”
She suggests stretching as much as possible, rather than quitting, especially during maternity leave or in the early years of motherhood. “Yes, it will be tough, but it will also be rewarding.” She believes that as children get older, there will be a need for something within themselves. Having your own identity and giving it up all will be very regretful and can be hard to live with.
Financial independence is non-negotiable. It gives dignity, freedom, and confidence. She says that your money is a form of respect. She adds further, “I never liked the idea of having to ask anyone for money, especially when I knew I had the talent and drive to earn it myself.”
Above all, women should support one another. That moral support, that belief that “you can do it,” can go a long way. Build your village of support. Try and try again. If you continue to show up, success will follow. An educated woman has the power to transform a family, to shape decisions, and to guide those around her with empathy and intuition. That’s something compelling. So trust your instincts, believe in yourself, and never underestimate the impact you can make, not just in your home, but in the world.
