Many students in India grow up believing there are only a few “right” career choices. Finish school, take science, prepare for engineering or medicine, get a stable job and build a secure future. But what happens when the career that looks right on paper doesn’t feel right in real life?
In this episode of DiscoverU Career Journeys, career coach Nahida Coelho speaks with Siddesh Sonawane, whose career journey is anything but conventional. After completing a degree in computer engineering from Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, Siddesh began his professional career in technology and cloud consulting.
On paper, it was a promising path. But outside work, his real energy came from music, dance, events, performing arts and working with people. Even during college, he had founded a cultural club, led large student teams and helped organise major festivals.
Eventually, Siddesh decided to step away from the conventional corporate path and give himself permission to explore. His journey took him through freelance events, IPL-related VR operations, product management, event management, film production and professional music performance.
Today, he works as an Operations Manager at Aaron Fernandez Entertainment, managing the production and execution of live shows, artist tours, budgets, venues, sound, lighting and backstage operations.
His story offers an honest look at career change, career exploration, transferable skills and finding meaningful work—while also acknowledging the financial uncertainty, self-doubt and social pressure that can come with leaving a stable career.
“You don’t need to figure out your life in one day.”
Q&A with Siddesh Sonawane
Tell us about your life today. What does your role in live events and entertainment look like?
Today, I handle production and operations for performing arts shows, including music and dance performances. I get to work at venues such as NMACC and NCPA and travel across India for different projects. My role is essentially that of a project manager. I work on budgeting and planning, manage artist tours, understand what a client wants and create creative briefs for how we are going to produce a show. There are several upcoming projects in places like Jaisalmer, Goa and different art festivals, so the work is exciting and varied. The planning for a project usually starts months in advance. During the planning stage, I do have some time for myself. But as we get closer to the actual show dates, things become extremely hectic.
Your interest in dance and events started quite early. Did you ever imagine it could become a career?
Honestly, no. I had absolutely no idea that I would eventually do something like this professionally. In school, I enjoyed dance, choreography and organising small events. But it was purely a passion project. I loved building something from scratch, being creative and working with people. Even during school events, I wasn’t only interested in performing. I enjoyed managing the entire event and figuring out how to put the different pieces together. What attracted me was the process of creating something—bringing people together, building an experience and seeing it come alive.
“I really like to build something from scratch, to be creative and build something in the creative space.”
Do you think your manager mindset came naturally, or did you develop it later?
I think it started developing naturally during college. When I founded the cultural club and worked on our college festival, I had to understand what people wanted. Ultimately, whatever we were creating was for an audience. We had to think about what would create an impact and what would keep people engaged. At the same time, we had to work with students, vendors and different teams. You have to understand how different people respond to different situations and figure out how to get the work done while maintaining professionalism. Those experiences taught me how to manage people, deal with situations and make decisions. Looking back, I realise that the manager mindset was already developing in me.
So how did computer engineering become your chosen career path? Did you have a genuine interest in technology?
If I go back to school, I was good at academics as well as all these other activities. That naturally pushed me towards science rather than commerce or arts. But the bigger issue was that I didn’t even know that I had other options. At that time, the thinking was very straightforward: after 10th, you take science. After science, you either choose NEET and become a doctor, or JEE/CET and become an engineer. I wasn’t interested in biology, so engineering seemed like the obvious option. My parents also wanted someone in the family to become an engineer. Since I had good marks, I was eligible for computer engineering, which was considered one of the most sought-after fields. So that’s how I ended up studying computer engineering at Sardar Patel Institute of Technology. Looking back, I realise I was largely part of a system that told us what the “right” options were. I followed what the system allowed me to see.
“I was just a part of that system who followed what the system allowed us to do.”
After graduating, you joined Quantify Analytics. Did you enjoy your first corporate role?
Initially, there were parts of it that I genuinely enjoyed. Although I had studied computer engineering, I wasn’t particularly interested in working in that sector. When I joined Quantify, I was introduced to the cloud ecosystem and how it worked. Initially, it was challenging because I didn’t have much interest in the technology itself. But I’m quite adaptable, so I learned about cloud and gradually became interested in understanding how the ecosystem worked. The problem was that the application of that knowledge was mostly around presentations, business development, revenue and client meetings. I wasn’t particularly interested in that side. There came a point where I had learned what I needed to learn, and then I was mostly applying the same knowledge repeatedly. It became a standard procedure of making decks, speaking to clients and presenting. Eventually, it became mundane.
“There came a plateau where I just had to apply whatever I’d learned. It became a mundane thing after that and I started losing interest.”
Was there one specific moment when you knew the corporate path wasn’t for you?
It wasn’t one particular moment. It built up over time. Initially, I had a good manager who encouraged me to learn, take decisions and grow. But there were organisational changes later, and my role gradually became more about disaster management. I was dealing with problems that shouldn’t have been mine to solve, and at one point it felt like we were doing the work of three people. That became frustrating. More importantly, I didn’t feel that I had like-minded people around me. My interests were increasingly moving towards music, dance, events and the creative space, while the environment around me was focused on technology and business. That lack of alignment became increasingly difficult to ignore.
Were you still connected to music and the arts while working in technology?
Yes. Music was always there. While I was working, I was learning Indian classical music online. I was also living in Ahmedabad at one point and got connected with some musicians there. We would jam together, sometimes by the riverfront. So even while I had a corporate job, I was trying to keep that part of myself alive. I think that was important because it meant I never completely disconnected from what I enjoyed.
What finally gave you the courage to leave your stable job and explore something different?
There was one idea that really helped me: I had time to experiment. I knew I wanted to do something different, but I didn’t know exactly what that was. Instead of forcing myself to identify the perfect answer, I decided to give myself permission to explore. I told myself, “Siddesh, you have time. You know you want to do something different. You don’t know exactly what you want to do, so just give it a shot.” That mindset pushed me to leave the system I was in and start exploring. I think we sometimes put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to have the entire career figured out at 24 or 25. But life doesn’t work that way.
“You don’t know what you want to do exactly—just give it a shot.”
What did your family and friends say when you decided to leave?
I was fortunate because I had the support I needed. The reactions were mixed. Some people said, “You have some savings, you have time, and you want to experiment—so go ahead.” But there were also questions. What is the plan? Where are you going? What are you doing? What do you have on paper? Those questions were difficult because I didn’t have a concrete answer. Internally, I was confused too. When people asked me what I was doing, I genuinely didn’t know what to say. So the bigger battle was internal. I had to manage that confusion and stay calm while I figured things out. Thankfully, my family and friends were supportive enough to let me find my own way.
What was the financial and emotional reality of moving from a stable corporate salary to freelance work and eventually entertainment?
It was honestly a roller coaster. Financially, I had some savings from my job, which gave me the ability to manage my life for some time. But I knew that money wasn’t unlimited. Initially, I was enjoying myself and spending on things I genuinely wanted to do. But eventually, the reality hit me: this money is going to run out, and I need to figure out how to make this sustainable. That was an important lesson. If you’re choosing something as a career, you also need to understand its sustainability. You need to think about how long it might take to become financially stable and whether you can support yourself during that period. Emotionally, it was even more complicated. I sometimes felt like a loser. Most of the people who had come out of the computer engineering system I was part of were working at companies like Microsoft, Google or banks. Meanwhile, I was figuring things out without a stable income. That comparison created a lot of pressure. I started thinking that if I entered a new field, I needed to immediately get a top-level role. Otherwise, I wasn’t successful. Those thoughts came up almost every other day.
“I felt like a loser at some point because the computer engineering system that I came out of, all of them were either working in Microsoft or Google—and then I was here figuring things out.”
How did your engineering and pre-sales experience eventually help you in the performing arts industry?
Engineering gave me a logical perspective. It taught me how to approach problems systematically, use numbers and think through situations logically. My corporate role also gave me experience dealing with international clients in the US and Singapore. Today, we work with international artists as well, including artists from France, Taiwan and other countries. So I already had some comfort in communicating with people from different backgrounds. My corporate experience also gave me structure. I was used to waking up, planning my day, completing tasks and managing meetings. That structure stayed with me when I moved into freelance work and eventually into my current role. So even though I changed industries completely, I didn’t start from zero.
What does an operations manager actually do on a live show day?
It’s essentially a project management role. When we receive a project, we first understand the budget and timeline. Then we have to coordinate with artists, venues, accommodation providers, sound and lighting teams and several other people involved in the production. We need to understand what the artist wants to create and then figure out how to bring that vision to life within the venue and its limitations. On the day of the show, the job is about making sure everything flows smoothly. You’re coordinating between artists, sound, lighting, venues and multiple teams. The audience may only see the final performance, but there is a huge amount happening backstage to make that experience possible.
“We try to build that show in terms of what the artist’s vision is at that point—and bring that to life so that the audience can see it on stage.”
Does your own experience as a performer give you an advantage in production?
Absolutely. Having performed myself helps me understand the small details that can make a huge difference to an artist. I’ve always been very observant about my surroundings. Even during college, I would notice things like where the electricity plugs were in a venue. These may seem like tiny details, but during a crisis, they can become extremely important. That mindset has stayed with me. In production, you have to be observant about everything around you because those small details can help you solve problems quickly. And ultimately, our job is to make sure the artist can focus on performing rather than worrying about everything happening backstage.
What’s one of the most intense situations you’ve had to handle?
Rain. It happened during both IPL-related work and during a college festival I was organising. Rain can completely stop an event because of electrical and safety concerns. During my college festival, we had already built the show for six months. Suddenly, it started raining, and we had to vacate the entire area. For a moment, I thought the show was over. But because I was observing the surroundings, I noticed there was a covered lobby area. We moved the crowd there, put a speaker in the space and used a flash mob that we already had prepared. Around 500 people ended up watching the flash mob in the lobby while we waited for the rain to stop. Eventually, the rain cleared and we moved everyone back to the main venue. That experience taught me that in this field, “I can’t do anything” isn’t really an option. You have to think on your feet and use whatever resources you have.
“That’s not the answer in this field. I have to do something or think something.”
For someone interested in performing arts, live music or event management, is there a clear career path?
Not really—and that’s both the challenge and the opportunity. For performers, the most important thing is your network. People need to know who you are before they can call you for opportunities. So you need to be visible. Attend workshops, join dance academies, perform at shows, meet people and keep showing up in the ecosystem. It’s a relatively high-risk, high-reward field. Initially, you may not know whether an opportunity will come. But as you build your network and consistently produce good work, people start remembering you. For production and event management, the path can be slightly more structured. You can volunteer at festivals, look for internships with event management companies and get practical experience on the ground. From there, you can build your portfolio and eventually move into production or operations roles.
“When it comes to performing, the most important thing is the network that you have.”
What is one thing you wish someone had told you before making your career transition?
You don’t need to figure out your entire life in one day. Take time to understand what energises you and what aligns with your thought process. Life doesn’t end at 25. You can experiment, fail, learn and come back. You don’t need to have everything figured out at 24, 25 or 26. I wish that mindset had been given to me earlier because the pressure at that age can be enormous.
“Life doesn’t end at twenty-five. You can experiment and fail and then again come back.”
What would you tell someone stuck between a stable job and something that genuinely excites them?
I would recommend making the transition slowly. Keep your job if you can and start exploring what genuinely interests you on the side. Research the field. Build your network. Start showing up in that ecosystem. Over time, you’ll understand whether you’re genuinely interested in that career and whether there are realistic opportunities available. Once you have some certainty, you can make the transition. I left my job completely, and while it was courageous, it wasn’t a foolproof plan. Not everyone has the financial stability or support that I had. So for most people, I would recommend a more gradual career change. Explore while you’re still working. Build your skills and network. Understand the industry. Then transition.
What final message would you like to leave with someone considering a career change?
Career transitions are messy. They aren’t usually a simple, step-by-step process. A lot of the transition is a mental game before it becomes a physical one. For me, I had to leave behind the identity of being a computer engineer before I could fully embrace entertainment and live events. There is a Hindi thought that captures what I went through: “Pinjare se parinde ko nikalna hi nahi, parinde ke dil se pinjra nikalna bhi zaroori hai.” For me, the cage wasn’t only the job. It was the identity I had built around that job. So my message is simple: the transition is supposed to be messy. But if something genuinely energises you, it can be worth taking that shot.
“It is supposed to be messy, but if it energises you, it is worth a shot to take in your life.”
Key Learnings
Your first career choice doesn’t define your entire life
A degree or first job can be a starting point—not a permanent identity.
Explore before you commit
You don’t need to know exactly what comes next. Give yourself permission to experiment.
Transferable skills travel across industries
Logical thinking, communication, structure and client management can remain valuable even after a complete career change.
Network matters in creative careers
In performing arts, visibility, relationships and consistently showing up can create opportunities that traditional applications may not.
Get practical experience
Volunteering, internships and working on live projects can help you understand an industry before committing to it.
Don’t underestimate financial sustainability
Passion matters, but a successful career transition also requires realistic planning around savings, income and long-term stability.
Don’t compare your beginning with someone else’s success
A career pivot can feel slow when peers appear settled. Your timeline doesn’t have to match theirs.
You don’t have to figure out life at 25
Careers can evolve through experimentation, setbacks and new discoveries at any age.
A gradual transition can reduce risk
Keeping your existing job while building skills, relationships and experience in a new field can make a career change more sustainable.
Conclusion
Siddesh Sonawane’s journey from computer engineering and cloud consulting to live events and entertainment is a reminder that career paths don’t always follow the plan we create at 17 or 18. His initial career choice was shaped by a familiar Indian narrative: study science, choose engineering or medicine and pursue a stable profession. But while his corporate career offered security, Siddesh gradually realised that the work itself wasn’t giving him the energy he found in music, dance, events, performance and working with people. Instead of waiting for a perfectly defined answer, he chose to experiment. That experimentation eventually led him to entertainment production, while also showing him that his engineering background wasn’t wasted—his logical thinking, professional structure, client experience and ability to manage complex situations all became transferable skills. His story also doesn’t romanticise career change: leaving a stable salary brought financial anxiety, comparison and self-doubt, and he recognises that having savings and family support gave him flexibility that not everyone has. That’s why his advice is particularly relevant: you don’t necessarily have to quit everything to discover what’s next. For someone considering a career change, exploring a new field while maintaining financial stability, building a network, gaining practical experience and gradually testing the waters can be a much safer approach. Most importantly, Siddesh reminds us that we don’t need to have our entire lives figured out at 25. Sometimes, career clarity doesn’t arrive before exploration. It comes because of exploration.
Siddesh Sonawane is an operations and production professional working in the live entertainment and performing arts industry. With a background in computer engineering and experience in technology, cloud consulting, events, performance and production, he has built a career that brings together his strengths in management, creativity, problem-solving and working with people. Today, he works with Aaron Fernandez Entertainment, managing live show production, artist tours, operations and backstage execution across India.
