As Bhavya Prasad reflects on her journey to Genesys Works, the first thing she mentions is that, just a few years ago, she could have never imagined the life she’s currently living. An immigrant from Fiji, Bhavya and her family moved to the United States while she was entering high school, forcing her to navigate an entirely new world on her own.
A Customer Success Operations intern at Okta, Bhavya works in a role that is operational and data-driven. While she didn’t always picture herself working in this type of role, what she did always know was that she’s a leader.
“I’ve always been strategic,” she shares. “I naturally take on leadership roles.” Raised in a hotel in Fiji, Bhavya has a unique childhood, which she explains made her more confident than most young people her age. She welcomed responsibility, and from a young age saw herself at the front of the room. Things changed, however, when her family immigrated to California, and she found herself in a completely new culture, education system, and set of expectations. While the initial shock was overwhelming, Bhavya quickly realized that she wished nothing more than to be a part of the “big city and tall buildings” that professional environments had to offer.
In her mind, though, the idea of working in a city office felt like a distant fantasy. So when she learned of Genesys Works, she immediately jumped. “I can’t just wait for opporutnities to come to me,” she says. “I have to seek them out.” Despite her self-proclaimed natural confidence, Bhavya felt anxious at the beginning of Summer Training. She felt like this was the “first real step toward the life she had always wanted,” and didn’t want to mess it up.
Bhavya describes joining Genesys Works as a massive transition point in her life. “Before joining Genesys Works, my dreams were just dreams. Now they are becoming reality. Genesys Works has put me on the path to my dream life.”
Bhavya is more confident, aligned with who she wants to be, and feels proud of herself. “I am the person I want to be,” she reflects. “I like my life more. I feel impactful. Significant.” That sense of significance matters to anyone, but especially those who never saw themselves in environments like this. For a high school student navigating a new country, new systems, and a new professional world, feeling seen and supported makes all the difference.
“I admire every single person who is a part of this program,” she says. “I have never met anyone in Genesys Works who hasn’t made me feel comfortable and happy with myself. It feels like my future is in safe hands surrounded by people who truly care.”
