Fresher to Engineering Manager: Journey at QuestionPro

When I look back on my journey with QuestionPro, which began in March 2012, I’m filled with gratitude, pride, and a deep sense of belonging. What started as my first professional step after earning a degree in Computer Engineering from Pune University has evolved into a career-defining experience spanning over a decade.

The Early Days

When I joined QuestionPro, the company had just moved its office from Nashik to Pune. Our first workspace was small but cozy—more like a collaborative lab than a traditional office. There were only eight of us then, wearing multiple hats and learning as we went.

I started as a Java Developer, primarily focused on bug fixes, feature testing, and writing or updating help documentation. Those early tasks might seem small, but they taught me the importance of precision, patience, and understanding the product from the user’s perspective.

Learning, Mentorship, and Confidence

The next two years were a turning point. Under the mentorship of Shri and Anish, I began to take on larger challenges, own modules, and develop new features. Their guidance shaped not only my technical skills but also my professional mindset.

They taught me that leadership isn’t just about giving directions—it’s about owning outcomes and continuously learning. Even today, they remain my role models, and I still find myself learning from their approach to problem-solving and innovation.

Stepping into Leadership

As QuestionPro grew, so did my responsibilities. I transitioned into a Team Lead (TL) role, managing a small team while continuing to code and contribute hands-on. This phase was both exciting and demanding—it pushed me to develop skills in people management, communication, and strategic thinking.

However, what truly made it memorable were the moments outside of work—our Friday night gatherings, table tennis matches, and cricket games. These experiences built lasting friendships and strengthened our culture of collaboration and trust.

Working with Visionary Leaders

One of the highlights of my career has been the opportunity to work directly with Vivek Bhaskaran, our Founder & CEO, and Erik Koto, our COO/Ex-CEO. Having direct access to the leadership team gave me a unique perspective on how decisions are made and how innovation is driven at scale.

The management team at QuestionPro has always been accessible, supportive, and empathetic. They’ve built a culture where everyone’s ideas are valued, and every challenge is seen as an opportunity to grow.

Growth, Ownership, and Empowerment

Over the years, my focus has shifted from purely technical work to engineering leadership. I’ve learned the art of hiring, mentoring, and helping team members chart their own career paths. Watching people I’ve mentored grow into confident engineers and leaders has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey.

Today, as an Engineering Manager, I handle three different products, each with its own challenges and learning curves. The responsibility is immense, but so is the satisfaction that comes with building scalable, user-centered products that impact thousands of users worldwide.

What Makes QuestionPro Special

If I were to summarize what makes QuestionPro unique, it would be its open culture and growth mindset. Here, you’re encouraged to take initiative, challenge assumptions, and experiment with new ideas.

Failures aren’t punished—they’re treated as learning opportunities. That philosophy has allowed me to evolve continuously, both as an engineer and as a leader.

Looking Back—and Ahead

From debugging my first piece of code to managing multiple teams and products, every step of this journey has taught me something valuable.

• QuestionPro has given me more than a career—it has given me a community.

• It has shown me that growth doesn’t happen by chance; it happens by staying curious, embracing challenges, and never stopping learning.

• And most importantly, it has reinforced my belief that great products are built by great people who trust and learn from each other.

As I look to the future, I’m excited to continue this journey of building, leading, and learning—together with a team that feels more like family.

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