This is an exclusive interview series conducted by the Editor Team of The Mainstream with Ms. Purvi Shah, Chief Information Officer.
Purvi Shah is an IT transformation expert with nearly two decades of experience. Known for her leadership in real estate tech adoption, she is also a strong advocate for youth digital empowerment, bridging the gap between business needs and emerging talent. Her work has been featured in Bharat CXO, HReXO Magazine, and Gujarat Charcha, and she has been recognized for excellence in DevOps, Cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
- What is digital literacy and why does it matter?
Digital literacy goes far beyond just being able to use a computer or smartphone. It’s about understanding how to responsibly, safely, and effectively engage with technology—whether that means analyzing online information, collaborating through digital platforms, or adapting to emerging tools like AI and cloud-based systems. It also includes being aware of cyber threats and knowing how to protect personal data and digital identities.
In my professional journey across finance and IT, I’ve seen firsthand how a lack of digital awareness can lead to vulnerabilities—not just at an individual level but across entire organizations. For instance, large-scale cyberattacks like the WannaCry ransomware attack crippled global systems in 2017, affecting hospitals, banks, and corporations simply due to outdated systems and poor cybersecurity hygiene. More recently, Facebook’s data privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica showed how personal data could be misused on a massive scale when users lack awareness of how their information is being collected and shared.
In today’s world, digital literacy is a core life skill. For the youth especially, it’s the foundation for accessing education, job opportunities, and social inclusion. As technology continues to transform industries, being digitally literate isn’t optional—it’s essential. Empowering young minds with these skills ensures they’re not just consumers of technology, but active participants and innovators in the digital economy. I’ve seen how equipping even internal teams with the right digital skills leads to faster adoption, fewer errors, and greater innovation. Imagine the potential if this level of empowerment begins early.
- As an IT Leader, what are your views on digitally up-skilling the youth in the post-COVID era?
The post-COVID era has accelerated digital adoption across industries, and this shift has made digital skills not just relevant—but absolutely essential. As an IT leader, I strongly believe that up-skilling youth in digital tools, platforms, and mindsets is the key to building a resilient and future-ready workforce.
During COVID, even traditional sectors like real estate—where I’ve led major IT transformations—had to digitize rapidly, from online sales to virtual site visits and cloud-based collaboration. This highlighted a massive gap: while systems can be upgraded, people also need the skills to adapt quickly. Unfortunately, many young professionals struggled not due to a lack of ambition, but due to a lack of access to structured digital training or mentorship.
Post-COVID, we need a more inclusive approach to digital upskilling—especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities. This includes practical exposure to tools like Microsoft 365, project management platforms, data analytics, and cybersecurity basics. Certifications are helpful, but so is guided, real-world learning.
I’ve also seen that when digital literacy is paired with problem-solving and ethical use of technology, it creates not just employable youth—but innovators. Whether it’s a young intern creating dashboards in Power BI or a junior team member streamlining an ITSM workflow, these micro-skills can create macro impact.
The goal shouldn’t be to make everyone a tech expert—but to ensure no one is digitally left behind.
- How can the youth be digitally empowered? What kind of exposure and engagement opportunities in the educational curriculum can educational institutes implement to raise interest of youths to up-scale their digital skills?
Digital empowerment begins with early and hands-on exposure. While theoretical knowledge has its place, today’s youth need practical, application-based learning to truly grasp digital tools and their relevance. As someone who’s led IT initiatives in real estate—a sector traditionally slower to adopt tech—I’ve witnessed how even simple digital skills can transform how people work, communicate, and think.
Educational institutions need to integrate real-world tech exposure into their curriculum. This could include:
- Workshops on cloud platforms, cybersecurity, and digital productivity tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
- Project-based learning, where students use tools like Power BI, Canva, or even basic coding to solve actual problems.
- Industry collaboration, where tech leaders can mentor, conduct bootcamps, or offer internships to help students experience the practical side of digital roles.
- Hackathons and digital innovation challenges, which make learning competitive, fun, and purpose-driven.
Also, introducing digital ethics, privacy awareness, and cybersecurity hygiene is crucial, especially given how vulnerable youth can be online. We don’t just need skilled youth—we need responsible digital citizens.
When students see how these tools solve real-life problems—be it automating a college event, organizing a community fundraiser using digital tools, or creating a simple app—they become curious, motivated, and self-driven to upscale.
Empowerment isn’t about throwing tools at students—it’s about guiding them to use technology meaningfully and confidently.
- Should it become a must for schools, colleges and other educational institutes to conduct workshops or crash-courses programs to drive the importance of technology for businesses?
Yes, without a doubt. In today’s world, where every business—from real estate to retail—is being reshaped by technology, digital fluency must be considered a core competency, not an optional skill. Educational institutes need to prepare students for this reality, and workshops or crash courses are an effective way to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations.
As an IT leader, I’ve seen how even non-technical functions like marketing, sales, finance, and customer service are being driven by tools like CRM systems, cloud platforms, data dashboards, and cybersecurity protocols. Unfortunately, many fresh graduates enter the workforce without understanding how tech directly impacts business outcomes like efficiency, customer experience, and profitability.
Workshops led by industry professionals can provide students with live case studies, tool walkthroughs, and business impact stories, making learning contextual and engaging. These short, focused programs can demystify technology and help students see themselves as contributors—not just users—of digital transformation.
If institutes don’t proactively equip students with this exposure, they risk producing graduates who are academically qualified but digitally underprepared. Empowering youth with this business-tech lens early on can create a generation of professionals who are not just job-ready—but future-ready.
- As an IT leader, what advice would you give to the youth considering their career in the technology industry? What should they know about the industry before starting their career? What challenges they could face in and how do they overcome the challenges?
My biggest advice to youth considering a career in technology is: stay curious, stay adaptable, and stay grounded. Technology is a dynamic field—it evolves rapidly, and what’s relevant today might be outdated tomorrow. So, a willingness to learn continuously is more valuable than mastering one tool or platform.
Before stepping in, it’s important to understand that tech is not just about coding or development—it’s about solving real problems, enabling business growth, and creating value through innovation. Whether you’re implementing IT infrastructure, automating processes, or improving cybersecurity, your impact is deeply connected to how people and businesses function.
But the path isn’t without its challenges. Young professionals often face:
- The overwhelming pace of change, where it feels hard to keep up.
- Resistance to change from the business side—even when your tech solution is clearly beneficial. You’ll often need to navigate traditional mindsets and show patience, empathy, and communication skills.
- Job stability can sometimes be impacted not by performance, but by organizational dynamics such as internal group alignments, workplace politics, or lack of visibility. Even high-performing individuals may face uncertainty if merit isn’t consistently recognized or supported by the right ecosystem.”
- Imposter syndrome or burnout, especially in high-pressure environments.
To overcome these:
- Focus on building deep knowledge in one area first, and grow from there.
- Develop soft skills—communication, collaboration, and resilience—they’re as crucial as tech skills.
- Document your work, build allies beyond your immediate circle, and let your impact be visible.
- Learn to detach emotionally from situations where merit alone doesn’t get recognized—build your network, keep upgrading yourself, and stay open to new opportunities.
In my own journey, I’ve seen projects succeed not just because of great tech, but because someone persisted through resistance, communicated well, and kept people at the center. The tech industry is full of opportunities—what matters is how you navigate both its speed and its human side.
- Any other points you would like to highlight?
Yes—while digital empowerment is often viewed through the lens of tools and technology, we must not overlook the importance of mindset, mentorship, and inclusivity. Empowering youth is not just about teaching them how to use software, but about helping them build confidence, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility in the digital world.
Having worked across diverse functions and led digital transformation in traditional sectors, I’ve realized that true change happens when we create safe, supportive environments where young minds can experiment, fail, learn, and grow. Whether through internships, live projects, or structured mentorship programs, we need to create more bridges between industry and education.
Lastly, I’d encourage the youth to believe in their voice and value. Even if they start small or face resistance, their fresh perspective is exactly what many industries need. With the right guidance and exposure, they’re not just future-ready—they’re future-shaping.
“Empowerment isn’t just about access to tech—it’s about giving youth the mindset to lead with it.”
— Purvi Shah, IT Leader, Digital Transformation & Strategy Expert
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
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