Inspirational Story: Sonam Bhardwaj - Travel, Transition and Tribes

Sonam BhardwajSonam Bhardwaj, a PWN Dublin member since 2023, grew up in bustling New Delhi, where her passion and drive were evident from a young age. In 2008, she moved to London to pursue a Master’s degree in Business and Human Resources from King’s College London. It didn’t take long for her potential to be recognized by the NHS. She was sponsored as a graduate and began her career as an HR specialist with the UCLH Foundation Trust through the Graduate Programme.

Her talents shone brightly. By the age of 25, she became one of the youngest HR Business Partners in the NHS. However, her mentor at the time knew that Sonam was destined for more. She needed to explore beyond healthcare and venture into new sectors to grow further.

This realisation led Sonam to make a pivotal career shift into management consulting. She joined one of the ‘big four’ consulting firms, focusing on people consulting in Mergers and Acquisitions and HR transformation. The role was exciting, offering her the chance to travel across Europe and gain exposure to a wide range of clients and sectors. 

As Sonam thrived professionally in London, an opportunity arose to work on one of the biggest mergers in Europe at the Children’s Hospital in Ireland. She jumped at the chance and the move to Ireland felt natural, given her husband’s roots.

Arrival in Ireland

Sonam quickly realised that Dublin’s professional community was much smaller and less open than London’s. She found it challenging to integrate into a less diverse environment. Sensing the need for a break, Sonam took time off to reflect on her career and next steps.

She and her husband decided to spend some time travelling through India, where Sonam embarked on what she describes as her “Eat, Meditate, Love” year. During this time, she focused on completing a 10-year writing project—a book about her grandfather’s life, a refugee and partition survivor post-British rule, which has since been published. 

Just as they were settling into their travels, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, forcing them to return to Ireland.

The Next Phase

Upon returning, life took a new direction when Sonam became pregnant with their first child. As she prepared to re-enter the workforce, she faced the challenge of having no established network in Ireland. However, thanks to her strong connections from London, Sonam secured a role with PwC, another of the big four firms. In this new position, she had the unique opportunity to build and shape PwC’s Workforce Consulting practice with focus on Deals and HRIS Transformation. She has worked on several client-related projects and has built an incredible team of talented professionals. 

Finding Her Tribe

Yet, even with a promising career, Sonam still felt the need to find her “tribe.” These feelings of isolation were compounded by her status as a professional driven-immigrant and a mother-to-be for the second time.

Determined to find a community where she could belong, Sonam was introduced to PWN Dublin by a client. She decided to attend the PWN Dublin Summer BBQ while pregnant with her second child—and from the moment she arrived, she knew she had found her home.

The PWN Dublin Membership Experience

Sonam immediately felt welcomed and supported by the PWN Dublin network. She had intentionally joined while pregnant, hoping to build her network before returning to work after maternity leave. During this time, she participated in the Mentoring Programme and proudly notes that her baby was present for all the virtual sessions.

“The mentoring programme provided me with honest, invaluable advice on the Irish professional landscape,” she recalls. “As an outsider coming into a new country, it helped me navigate the unique challenges of networking and establishing yourself in Ireland.”

Sonam also brought her newborn to several in-person PWN events. She was touched by the warmth and support of the other women, who even helped care for her baby briefly so she could focus on connecting with some of the other professionals. “I doubt I’d have experienced this level of support in a non-gender-focused environment,” she shares. “The women at PWN Dublin made networking feel comfortable and impactful.”

Why Others Need This Network

Sonam encourages other immigrants and young professionals in Ireland to join PWN Dublin. “If you’re a working professional new to the country or even an Irish-based professional, investing in a network outside of your workplace is essential. PWN Dublin is that ‘home’—a place where you’re inspired to take the journey and make some meaningful connections along the way.”

What sets PWN Dublin apart from Sonam is its friendly, inclusive atmosphere. “It’s not the usual formal networking environment. Everyone is genuinely welcoming, curious and knowledge-sharing is welcomed,” she says.

Sonam’s connection with the network even gave her some personal perspective on motherhood. After her second child was born, she sought advice from fellow members on managing childcare routines whilst working full-time in a fast-paced consulting environment, and the responses were overwhelmingly practical.

“The beauty of a women’s network,” Sonam explains, “is that we can openly discuss issues that are specifically gender-based” as she believes there is a gender gap when it comes to networking, although she firmly believes that all genders are welcome to the network. “This wonderful blend of professional and personal support is something I haven’t found in other networks outside work.”

As Sonam looks to the future, she’s excited about the long-term potential of her involvement with PWN Dublin. 

“I love being part of this community of hard-working, international women. I’m hopeful that, in 10 years, we’ll see a more inclusive and integrated network! I’m also ready to give back to the network as a volunteer when I return to work.”

Published: November 2024
Author: Rebecca Fountain, PWN Dublin