The Talking Bug That Bit Me: The Mic Is Yours, Now Earn the Room | Reena D'Souza | TEDxBMSITM

Reena D'Souza, a computer science engineering graduate who worked at IBM and Amazon, describes how she found her calling in front of an audience instead of behind a computer screen. Her professor recognised her talent at a college MC audition and encouraged her to anchor for a local television network, followed by live shows and a dance reality show. The talk, given at a TEDx event, covers six lessons drawn from more than 15 years and 1,000+ live shows, including communication, adaptability, handling criticism, staying authentic and connecting with people.

• Path from IT jobs at IBM and Amazon to hosting live shows
• Early support from a professor and a local TV network
• Six lessons on communication, adaptability and authenticity
• Speaking is a skill, connecting is an art

What happens when a little girl who can’t stop talking turns her passion into her profession? From tech support at IBM and Amazon to commanding global stages, sports stadiums, and television screens, Reena D’Souza shares how the “talking bug” changed her life. Drawing from 15+ years and 1,000+ live shows, she reveals six powerful lessons about communication, adaptability, embracing criticism, staying authentic, and connecting with people. Her biggest discovery? Speaking is a skill. Connecting is an art. And earning the room is a responsibility. An inspiring reminder to believe in your dreams, find your own “bug,” and turn your passion into purpose. A computer science engineering graduate who worked at IBM and Amazon, Reena discovered that her real calling was not behind a computer screen, but in front of an audience. Her professor, Gerard D’Souza of MITE, Moodbidri, recognised her talent during a college annual-day MC audition and encouraged her to anchor for the local television network Namma TV. Live and recorded shows, followed by a dance reality show, helped her find her voice and her purpose. A defining breakthrough came when she hosted an Amazon event in the presence of Jeff Bezos. Today, she has hosted 1,000+ shows across a 15+ year career. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx