Name: VJ Nagender Rao | Company: DMG Events | Country: Dubai
(April 25, 2023) When he isn’t working sales as a senior exhibition manager, V.J. Nagender Rao is climbing mountains. An avid mountaineer, this Hyderabadi lad has already scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and attempted Mt Aconcagua in Argentina. “I was almost at the summit, but a treacherous storm forced us to turn back,” he says. “Incidentally, Mt Aconcagua is one of the most challenging peaks to summit owing to its height and weather conditions,” says Nagender, who now aims to scale all the seven summits.
Currently settled in Dubai, Nagender’s love for mountains began when he was looking for something to channel his energies during a tough personal phase. However, he decided to do better than just adopt mountaineering as a hobby. He decided to use the avenue as a way to raise funds for causes he felt deeply about. With his first climb, he raised money to help an Indian NGO address human trafficking, while with the second, he helped raise funds to build a school for a Hyderabad-based children’s NGO. “Making a difference in someone’s life makes the journey worth it,” he says.
Born and raised in Hyderabad, Nagender began his professional journey with 24/7 before he moved to Scotland to do his MS in Accounting & Finance from University of Dundee. Thereafter he got a job with Fairfax International where he made his first inroads into sales. He eventually moved base to Dubai where he began working with DMG events as a salesperson. “To be honest, I’d never worked in the events space before. But I decided to take the plunge with DMG when the opportunity arose. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever taken and it’s been a great ride so far,” says the NRI, who now works on ADIPEC, one of the largest energy events in the world. “I am responsible for bringing in sales and providing assistance right from the time of booking until the end of the exhibition. When I began this job, I was sure of one thing: I can sell. So despite having no events background I went ahead,” he says, adding Dubai is a land of opportunities. “To land a job here all you need to do is persevere. Networking on LinkedIn and keeping a tab on various job portals definitely helps. You just have to give yourself sufficient time to land that dream role.”
Working in Dubai also affords one a truly global exposure. “At my workplace for instance, employee wellbeing is genuinely cared for and there is a culture of diversity. As a result, there is a sense of belonging and various perspectives are recognised,” he says.
But it isn’t all work and no play for this sales executive. Balance is key. “A typical work day can sometimes stretch well beyond the set hours. But it’s up to us to know when to shut off. I usually begin my day with a session at the gym, put in eight hours at work and then head home to spend time with my family and my dog,” he says. When he isn’t training to climb mountains, Nagender uses his time to go on hikes and play cricket on the corporate level.
Nagender, who’s seen his fair share of failures, believes it’s the unconditional support he has received from his family that has kept him afloat. “They’ve played a huge role in helping me achieve all that I have today. Even my failures have taught me to stay positive even during hard times and to keep the faith,” he says, adding that he’s fortunate to be able to visit his homeland more than a couple of times a year. “But I’d love to be able to move back some day and settling down in my homeland,” he smiles.
Takeaways:
- Channeling personal challenges into passion: Nagender discovered his love for mountaineering during a difficult personal phase, demonstrating the transformative potential of pursuing new hobbies and interests.
- Making a difference through personal passions: Nagender used mountaineering as a platform to raise funds for various causes, showcasing how individuals can combine personal interests with philanthropy to make a positive impact.
- Embracing new opportunities: Despite having no prior experience in the events space, Nagender took a chance with a new career path in Dubai, highlighting the importance of being open to new experiences and opportunities while working abroad.
- Learning from Dubai’s international exposure: Nagender’s workplace in Dubai values employee wellbeing and diversity, emphasizing the benefits of working in an inclusive, global setting for personal and professional growth.
- Balancing work and personal life: Nagender maintains a healthy work-life balance by prioritizing self-care, family time, and personal hobbies, demonstrating the importance of creating harmony between one’s professional and personal lives.