Beyond Consulting: Career Pathways After Ashoka University

Whenever one envisions a rewarding life after graduation, one instantly conjures up images of management consulting, investment banking, or corporate roles. While many Ashoka University graduates do choose consulting, careers after Ashoka are incredibly diverse, ranging from footprints in technology, public policy research, innovative startups, social impact, creative industries, and more. Aided by Ashoka’s liberal arts philosophy – which emphasises interdisciplinary thinking, problem-solving, and communication – Ashokans are trained to navigate this breadth with elan and confidence.

1. The Canvas of Career Opportunities

Once they graduate, Ashokans have an array of careers to choose from, reflecting the university’s holistic and interdisciplinary learning model.

1. Despite Ashoka not being a traditional engineering college, the intersections of humanities, data skills, and entrepreneurship embedded in their curriculum have opened doors for students in technology spaces. Graduates in Economics, Computer Science and Data Science have a fertile ground to apply their knowledge in the leading tech industry that values analytical and critical thinking. They are capable of landing a job in product, analytics or research roles. Not only this, some alumni have played their civic roles by blending their knowledge in public policy and computer science. A great example is Civinc, a civic engagement platform built by students and alumni to improve local governance through technology. The university offers and encourages students to take up internships and projects to cultivate their tech readiness even before they graduate.
2. Ashoka is known for its niche in policy and research. Graduates are known to play a significant role in research organisations, policy making, data design and evidence-based advocacy. Centres like the Ashoka Centre for a People-centric Energy Transition (ACPET) offer pathways where graduates apply econometrics, environmental modelling, and interdisciplinary research to real-world policy questions around energy transitions. Students can also work at entities like the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy (CSIP), which combines analytical research with strategic non-profit impact. Such exposure is lucrative for graduates interested in social impact who put their skills in critical thinking, writing and bigger picture understanding to their advantage.
3. The thriving spirit of entrepreneurship is sown in every Ashokan not only through their academics but also through their myriad student clubs, incubation support and alumni network. Many Ashokans have launched startups or joined early-stage ventures, especially in sectors like edtech, sustainability, policy platforms, and social impact enterprises. The university’s ecosystem allows uninhibited experimentation where students are encouraged to explore the untrodden path, thus promoting the entrepreneurial spirit.
4. Not all Ashokans pursue the most sought-after tech or research roles. Many consciously pursue creative and non-profit careers, again inculcated by the university’s tilt towards creating conscious and conscientious citizens. Hence, some graduates have joined NGOs to make a change in their micro and macro worlds. The emphasis and innumerable opportunities to hone their communication skill helps Ashokans thrive in roles that require narrative sophistication and critical insight. Thus, careers in media, journalism, publishing, writing, and cultural industries are common.

2. The Role of the Career Development Office

The Career Development Office (CDO) is the capstone of Ashoka’s career development. It helps students with placements and internships, guides them to navigate options they might not have considered.

a. Structured Career Support

The CDO offers structured programmes to groom the students for various career paths:

• Internship Preparatory Programme – where students identify interests, build resumes, and secure meaningful early experiences.
• Placement Preparatory Programme – which includes mock interviews, sector-specific workshops, and one-on-one career counselling. 

The CDO gives individualistic sessions to students to help them connect their academic majors with sectors they might not intuitively think of – from research labs to policy consultancies.

b. Bridging Academia & Industry

The office closely works with recruiters and partners across sectors – including companies, NGOs, research institutes, and startups – to expand opportunities beyond the usual corporate routes. For example, Anitya – the Social Impact Club – runs development sector bootcamps in collaboration with the CDO, bringing in policy makers and sector leaders so students can explore impact careers firsthand. 

With 120+ academic and research collaborations and 85+ national and international interdisciplinary projects launched, Ashoka University has built a robust research ecosystem that encourages collaboration beyond traditional boundaries.

3. Alumni Journeys: Real Stories, Real Paths

The best way to assess Ashoka University is through the paths the alum has taken, especially those that defy the consulting stereotype.

a. Innovators & Founders

Aishwarya Sunaad has spearheaded ventures that combine technology, civic engagement, and social change. The Civinc civic engagement platform shows how interdisciplinary education can directly lead to impactful tech solutions. Samyak built Workverse, a platform that simulates real-world workplace environments to train graduates in critical skills like creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and communication. He’s also active in social entrepreneurship initiatives like Adopt One. 

b. Policy and Research Leaders

The curriculum is incredible for fostering analytical and research skills. Two students, Taif Altaf (Young India Fellow, 2026 Scholars) and Daksh Walia (M.A. Economics, 2023 Scholars), have won the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, showcasing Ashoka’s strong academic environment that fosters the qualities (excellence, character, leadership) needed for this prestigious Oxford award. As listed on LinkedIn, this commitment to scientific and interdisciplinary research has led to over 787+ research publications, 431 papers featured in top international journals such as Scopus, Web of Science, and GS. Each study, initiative, and partnership reflects Ashoka’s dedication to producing research that is both relevant and impactful.

4. Non-Obvious Careers Ashoka Students Pursue

A few popular yet non obvious career pathways Ashokans have taken up in the recent past are in the following fields-

• User Experience & Product Strategy in tech firms
• Impact Investing & Social Finance roles in VC or philanthropic funds
• Civic Tech & GovTech initiatives
• Policy Analytics & Data Journalism
• Creative Entrepreneurship (media houses, digital storytelling platforms)
• Climate and Sustainability Consulting
• Academic Research & PhD tracks leading to teaching and policy roles

These varied options only establish the university’s liberal arts background – rooted in curiosity and adaptability that appreciates the traditional and builds new domains. 

5. Career is a Journey, Not a Destination

Choosing a career after graduation today is not just about picking the most beaten or sought-after job. For youngsters today, a career is synonymous with their personality, a narrative that fits their skills, values, and evolving interests. The University’s liberal arts approach is extremely helpful in building critical reasoning, empathy, communication, and interdisciplinary insight – all skills that are essential across sectors. 

– Written by Soha Brahma, Economics and Finance Major at Ashoka University.