Sachin Srivastava’s career didn’t follow a typical path, nor did it stay in one lane. From starting as an underwriter in India to developing IT products in the U.S., Sachin has woven together business insight and technical skills into an impressive, cross-disciplinary career.
With each new role, he learned and adapted, guided by principles rooted in resilience, curiosity, and purpose.
Here are eight lessons that Sachin’s path offers professionals looking to bridge business and technology, aiming not just to succeed but to contribute meaningfully.
Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptability
Sachin approaches each day with the mindset that “each day offers potential for a new learning.” For him, staying relevant meant viewing every role as an opportunity to expand—not just within his core responsibilities, but into adjacent areas.
He began with a grounding in underwriting and risk management, later using that knowledge to inform his IT roles in insurance product management. This adaptability allowed him to evolve from a specialist in underwriting into a leader at the intersection of insurance and IT.
Sachin’s approach demonstrates the value of seeing each job as more than its title or tasks. Rather than limiting yourself to specific job duties, dive into the broader ecosystem of your role, especially areas that connect with what you do.
Develop Core Values Early and Let Them Guide Your Path
Values aren’t just words for Sachin; they’re the foundation of his professional life. His parents’ instilled lessons of resilience, hard work, and giving back have remained his constant guides.
“Born to a middle-class family in India, and having seen the scarcity of resources, my parents always taught me the importance of giving back to society. I have always heard that hard work and education never go to waste while growing up. ”
Through these values, Sachin found purpose and direction, allowing him to stay focused during career transitions and new challenges. When he left India’s P&C market to join roles in the U.S., these values anchored him, ensuring he approached every opportunity with integrity and commitment.
Use Your Past Experience to Inform Your Current Role
Sachin’s move from Insurance Underwriting to IT Product Management may seem like a big shift, but his early experience was invaluable. The insight he gained in underwriting and risk taught him to evaluate decisions through both technical and strategic lenses, allowing him to bring a unique perspective into IT roles for the Insurance industry, where the basics of Underwriting, Claims, and Risk Management are invaluable.
His time spent understanding the core functions of claims and risk management became the backbone of his IT strategies. Per Sachin, “Don’t underestimate the knowledge gained from previous roles, even if they seem unrelated to your goals. Leverage that expertise as each new position offers a chance to apply and expand on what you’ve learned, particularly in managing people, processes, or technology.”
Combine Perfection with Purpose
When Sachin says he believes in “perfection and purpose,” he’s talking about doing excellent work while always keeping the bigger picture in mind. For him, perfection means aiming for excellence in the details, but purpose means understanding why those details matter.
In his projects, from working on building The Hartford Insurance Group’s Agency Management portal ‘ICON’ to supporting NJM Insurance Group’s Digital strategy, his goal wasn’t just to execute tasks but to help protect people and businesses through better digital solutions.
Striving for technical proficiency and quality is important, but a larger purpose can enhance your impact. Focusing on the broader purpose can transform your approach to daily tasks and long-term projects in industries like insurance, where products serve as safety nets.
Be Open to Unexpected Opportunities for Growth
From India’s P&C market to the U.S. insurance field, Sachin’s path reflects the benefits of embracing the unknown. Shifting to new environments brought a learning curve but also propelled him forward, giving him experiences that shaped his career.
Working on projects for giants like Berkshire Hathaway, Allstate, The Hartford, Munich Reinsurance, and US insurance product organizations Insurity and Valuemomentum, he saw insurance from diverse vantage points, refining his expertise while deepening his industry knowledge.
Sachin’s experiences highlight the importance of being open to unfamiliar roles or environments. Such experiences, even if seemingly unrelated, can offer profound opportunities for growth. Embracing the unknown fosters adaptability and can accelerate professional development.
Recognize the Impact of Your Work on Society
Insurance, for Sachin, isn’t just a job—it’s a commitment to societal well-being. “By working in the insurance industry, I am able to make a difference as we are always insuring and compensating against damages and liabilities not only for organizations but also individual people, and this I feel keeps me on track to give back something to the society.”
For Sachin, the work he does isn’t just about policies; it’s about creating security for people and businesses. This sense of purpose drives him to improve, innovate, and bring value to his industry.
In any field, reflecting on how your work impacts people’s lives can enhance motivation and purpose, guiding you to make choices that benefit both your career and the communities you serve.
Learn to Communicate Across Business and IT
One of the most valuable skills Sachin developed was bridging the communication gap between business and IT teams. He noted that merging underwriting insights with IT strategy creates products that effectively serve both customer and company needs.
By translating business needs into technical requirements and vice versa, Sachin was able to build products that addressed core client needs while also meeting strategic goals.
For anyone working at the crossroads of business and tech, strong communication is essential. Professionals who can convey business needs to tech teams or simplify complex technical concepts for business leaders become crucial to project success, especially in roles that balance technical feasibility with usability.
Give Back to the Industry and Think Long-Term
Sachin doesn’t just look at immediate goals; he has a vision for what he wants to give back to the insurance industry. He aims to grow within the sector, fueled by a passion for developing solutions that protect and benefit people. With plans to start his own venture, he hopes to advance the industry and offer innovative solutions for both clients and companies.
Rather than focusing solely on personal success, think about how your skills and experience can support your field. Whether it’s mentoring, innovating new products, or starting your own business, considering your broader impact creates a career path that resonates with purpose and contributes meaningfully to the field.
Conclusion: Purposeful Growth in a Cross-Disciplinary Career
Sachin Srivastava’s career offers a valuable template for professionals merging business insight with technical expertise. Through his unique path, he’s demonstrated that blending “perfection and purpose” with a willingness to adapt, learn, and give back makes for a fulfilling career.
By staying focused on core values, embracing the learning potential each day, and committing to a purpose beyond individual success, professionals can cultivate careers that excel and inspire and contribute broadly.
