‘The curiosity I developed in Apeejay has stayed with me’

She is a true-blue Apeejayite, having spent almost 18 years, from nursery to graduation, at various Apeejay Schools and then Apeejay College of Fine Arts in Jalandhar, including Apeejay School, Saket, until Class IX and then Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg. After her graduation, she did her MBA with a specialisation in Finance, and at present, she works as a General Manager at HCL Technologies. She has been associated with the company for the past 18 years and works in its Digital Foundation Services division. Meet Suvarcha Trehan.

In a candid interview, the alumna, who enjoys cooking and socialising, shares the values she still carries from her Apeejay Education days.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My day usually begins quite early, around 5 or 5:15 in the morning. Once my children leave, I take some time out for myself, particularly for yoga and other activities. I usually begin my office work around 11:30 am. One thing I appreciate about HCL Technologies is its flexibility, especially towards women employees. I have flexible working hours, which helps me balance my professional and personal responsibilities.

How have various Apeejay institutes shaped your personality and career aspirations?

It has given me a strong foundation. Having spent nearly 18 years of my educational journey with Apeejay, I can confidently say that the institution has played an important role in shaping who I am today. It taught me to be curious, speak up and take responsibility. My role involves data analytics, understanding information and finding solutions. The curiosity and willingness to explore different possibilities that I developed in Apeejay’s classrooms have stayed with me. Even today, these qualities help me perform my responsibilities, enjoy my work and continue growing at HCL Technologies.

What are some important values you learnt at Apeejay that you continue to practise?

There are three values that Apeejay taught me, apart from my family: Discipline, respect and responsibility. I still remember the school motto, Soaring High is My Nature. But to soar high, you must first be prepared and disciplined. This is something I practise in my professional life, particularly when meeting leadership deadlines and ensuring accuracy in financial work.

What has been your biggest professional achievement, and what challenges have you faced along the way?

My biggest achievement has been earning the trust of senior management at HCL Technologies over the past 18 years, with my work now receiving visibility up to the president’s level in my division. The journey has had its ups and downs. Coming from a commerce background, understanding technical concepts was initially challenging. I still remember my first project, when I struggled to answer even basic technical questions! I sometimes wonder how I was selected. But I kept learning, and since then, there has been no looking back.

How are you keeping pace with AI?

AI is transforming almost every industry, particularly the IT sector, where many tasks are now being automated. To keep pace, I believe continuous learning is essential. We must understand new AI tools and how they can make our work easier. I have attended several training sessions, and HCL Technologies also provides such opportunities. The key is to stay curious, embrace technology and never stop learning.

What are some of your fondest memories from Apeejay?

Whenever I meet my Apeejay friends, we often recall the little moments that made school life special. We didn’t have a canteen, so sharing tiffins, bus rides and last-minute exam revisions are memories I cherish. Without mobile phones, those days felt different. I often share these experiences with my children. Leaving Apeejay School, Saket, to move to Jalandhar was particularly difficult because of my strong connection with the school. Even today, I remain in touch with some of my teachers, and that bond means a lot to me.