Ranjeeta Mohapatra began her career as a Guest Relations Manager for Sterling Resorts in Puri and Club Mahindra in Goa. After a brief career break to manage family responsibilities, she re-entered the workforce, joining the newly established Vedic Village Spa Resort in Kolkata as Manager, Front Office. Subsequently, she took on the responsibility of managing spa operations along with housekeeping for three Mayfair properties (Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Gangtok).
Key Milestones
Personally, a significant milestone in my career was undoubtedly my time at Vedic Village. When I joined, we were all working together to launch this property that spanned acres of land, featuring numerous villas, farmhouses, and time houses. The fact that all the hard work finally paid off, considering we started from ground zero, would remain a major accomplishment.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the most significant challenges as a working mother has been managing the household and my two children during their growing-up phases. Initially, it was hard to multitask with so many responsibilities, but over time I learned how to manage my time between the two. Another challenge arose from being a woman, especially when dealing with difficult contractors, vendors, and sometimes guests. It was a challenge to not feel intimidated and to stand up as equals when facing such situations.
Advice to Women
Understand that you will only be treated as an equal if you believe in your own equality. If you think you are right, stand up for it, don’t be intimidated, and the world is your oyster.
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
It is challenging when you have children and must manage the household. However, managing time between work and life comes gradually with experience. It took me a while to figure this out – have a set plan for the day, make sure you don’t work longer than required, and ensure all your time spent in the office is worthwhile. Living next to your workplace makes a hell of a difference because that enables you to go home for a short while in case you must.
