Jayaprakash Sundararaj has been a long-standing member of the Los Gatos Toastmasters Club for about 8 years taking up various roles as a part of this journey. He is currently the Area Director of Area 05, Division D, District 101. We discussed his motivations to become a Toastmaster and the various lessons that he learned during his journey as a Toastmaster. Sundararaj’s Toastmasters journey has been instrumental in his personal and professional growth. It has equipped him with enhanced communication and leadership skills, increased his self-confidence, and provided a supportive community. These positive impacts have translated into greater effectiveness and impact in both his personal and professional life.
Tell us briefly about yourself and what you do.
My name is Jayaprakash Sundararaj. I currently serve as the Area D5 Director for District 101 and am a proud Los Gatos Toastmasters Club member.
Professionally, I work as a Senior Engineer at Google, focusing on search ranking and recommendations. With over 12 years of experience in the tech industry, I’ve contributed to key projects in web search and Play Store search, utilizing AI, NLP, and machine learning.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I try to run or hike outdoors – Hiking trails in Mission Peak and Los Gatos are my favourite. I enjoy spending time with my family and watching sports.
When did you join Toastmasters?
I became a Toastmasters member in 2016 after my manager suggested that Toastmasters could help improve my articulation skills. That recommendation piqued my interest, and I soon began exploring the Toastmasters community to better understand its value.
Why did you decide to join Toastmasters?
I’m confident in my technical expertise, but I quickly recognized that technical skills alone aren’t enough to create meaningful impact. Clear communication, the ability to inspire, and confident public speaking are crucial for driving change.
Despite being adventurous—I’ve cycled over 500 km from the Bay Area to Los Angeles and skydived multiple times from 18,000 ft—speaking in front of just 10 people was once the most nerve-wracking, heart-pounding experience for me.
Toastmasters offers a supportive, non-judgmental community and the ideal platform to practice and develop communications skills (pace, fillers, structure, delivery, etc.) in a structured and encouraging environment.
What is your advice to new members?
- Seize every opportunity to speak. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment or speech. Every time you step up, you discover something new about yourself and continue to improve. Don’t shy away from giving and receiving feedback—it’s the foundation of growth in Toastmasters. I remember using over 30 filler words in my first speech, and I’m still working on getting better.
- Consistency is key. Try to attend meetings regularly. Each meeting gives you the chance to speak and take on different roles.
- Explore different clubs to find the right fit for you. For me, Los Gatos Toastmasters was a perfect match in terms of timing and format. With the support of my mentor, Chirag, I was able to try new roles and grow within the club. I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a Judge and Toastmaster in Division Speech Contests, and now, I’m honored to serve as the Area D5 Director for District 101.