About Me

I am Rajya Viswanadha.

A seasoned Engineering Leader in the security domain, wearing multiple hats — an IC, a team lead, an architect, and at times, simply a person who is there to listen without judging.

But I’m also more than my work.

I’m a mom, a math teacher, a wife, a daughter, a friend… and so many more personas that make up who I am.

Welcome to Layoff2LevelUp — my space to share my journey through one of the most unexpected turns in my career: getting laid off… and how I’m choosing to rebuild with intention.

Not just to get back to where I was —
but to level up in every way that matters:
my health, my mindset, my skills, and my next step.

Why I Started This Blog

A layoff doesn’t just change your job status.

It changes your routine.
It challenges your confidence.
And sometimes, it makes you question parts of yourself you didn’t expect to question.

This blog is my way of taking that uncertainty and turning it into something meaningful.

Layoff2LevelUp is not just about the job search.

It’s about how I stay grounded while I search.
How I keep moving forward when the path feels unclear.
And how I continue growing — even in a season that feels like a pause.

What This Season Looks Like for Me

Right now, my days are built around a few simple commitments:

1) Health comes first

I’m focusing on movement, strength, and consistency — through functional training, yoga, and building habits that support my body and mind.

Because when I feel strong physically, I show up stronger everywhere else.

2) Upskilling with purpose

I’m deepening my knowledge in areas that matter for my next chapter — like security fundamentals, system design, architecture, and technical concepts that I want to truly understand (not just “memorize”).

Some days it’s SSO.
Some days it’s networking.
Some days it’s design tradeoffs.

But the goal is always the same:
learn deeply and build confidence through clarity.

3) Practicing problem solving

I’m sharpening my coding skills one problem at a time.

LeetCode has become part of my routine — especially dynamic programming, which can be challenging but incredibly rewarding.

There are days it clicks instantly.
And days I stare at a DP grid and wonder if it’s written in another language.

But I keep going.
Because growth is not always fast — it’s consistent.

4) Job searching with intention

I’m applying thoughtfully, leveraging referrals where I have them, and refining my resume to match roles where I can truly add value.

I’m not here to chase “any job.”

I’m here to find the right fit — where my experience, leadership, and technical depth can make a real impact.

What You’ll Find Here

This blog will include:

personal reflections from the job search journey
lessons learned while navigating uncertainty
upskilling deep dives (in simple, practical language)
coding practice progress and breakthroughs
routines and habits that help me stay consistent
reminders that rebuilding is not a weakness — it’s a strength

Some posts will be short updates.
Some will be longer reflections.

But all of them will be real.

What I Believe

This chapter is teaching me that:

progress is built quietly
discipline builds confidence
momentum matters more than motivation
setbacks don’t define you — your response does
your identity should be bigger than your job title

I don’t know exactly how this chapter ends yet.

But I do know this:

I’m showing up every day.
And I’m becoming stronger in the process.

If You’re Reading This and You’re Going Through It Too…

If you’re navigating a layoff, a career transition, a job search, burnout, or simply a season of uncertainty…

I hope this blog helps you feel a little less alone.

You don’t need to have it all figured out today.

You just need to keep moving forward — one small win at a time.

Thank You for Being Here

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for supporting this journey.