From Ashoka to the World

Ashokans have left an indelible footprint in various universities and corporate giants around the world. They gain this competency with their regular concept building exercises through learning that hones critical thinking, and a flexible curriculum that allows free flow of innovative ideas, emphasis on strong communication skills and collaboration with mandatory group presentations. Irrespective of subjects and interests, Ashokans are given a platter of exercises that sharpen the skills stalwart companies look for in their recruits.

Where Ashokans Go: India’s Top Recruiters

Ashoka’s proficient Career Development Office (CDO) has established a robust and diverse placement ecosystem on campus, making it undoubtedly the strongest in the Indian Liberal Arts education sphere. They not only groom students to prepare for jobs and the placement cycle, but also ensure that each student has the best shot to acquire the career they dream of. Every year, Ashoka hosts multiple globally respected organisations that seek to hire Ashoka graduates. 3rd year students have access to sought-after internship opportunities, many of which could potentially turn into full-time employment upon graduation. Similarly, our 4th-year students are encouraged to apply for prestigious roles in top companies that can act as the launchpad of their careers.

The range of industries that come to Ashoka to recruit students for both internships and placements comprises some of the top names in their fields. A few noteworthy recruiters include the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Deloitte, and Ernst & Young (EY) in the consulting sector. Financial powerhouses such as the World Bank Group, Axis Bank, and American Express, along with innovative companies like Amazon and Microsoft, are some reputable companies that recruit Ashokans as well.

A Global Launchpad: Alumni from Oxford, Cambridge, Yale and Beyond

While globally acclaimed industries present a lucrative offer for Ashokans, it is definitely not the only road taken by our graduates. Ashokans have received the prestigious Fulbright, Rhodes and Inlaks scholarships to study in esteemed universities around the globe, including Oxford University, Harvard, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Yale University and London School of Economics (LSE).
Ashoka’s partnerships with universities offer students the opportunity to pursue their higher studies in institutes known for niche areas. Such acceptances demonstrate the credibility of the university in establishing an ecosystem conducive to the holistic development of a student. Hence, it is no wonder that the academic year 2023-24 saw over 150 students of Ashoka opting to go for graduate studies in top-notch universities across the world in diverse fields.

One cannot deny the contribution of the exceptional mentorship by the trained faculty at Ashoka University, who mould the minds of the students to think like global citizens and create a trajectory to be envious of.

Choose Your Career Path: Multiple Roads to Your Success

At Ashoka, one has the freedom to carve their own career path and pursue opportunities that interest them. Some pathways that are favoured by most Ashokans are the following:

Public Policy & Development

Ashoka University boasts a vibrant community of thinkers and change-makers who actively contribute to governance, think tanks, social enterprises, and global development organisations. The University’s departments of Economics and Public Policy are some of the finest, offering students an enriching and dynamic educational experience.

Students who are pursuing a degree in these fields develop strong analytical skills and cultivate critical thinking, all while gaining a deep understanding of social, economic, and political institutions. These qualities not only enable students to grasp the complexities of existing systems but also equip them to shape and improve these institutions for the greater good.

Consulting

Consulting firms value rapid problem-solving, excellent communication, leadership potential, integrity and intellectual drive and look for these qualities in every candidate they wish to hire. These core strengths are not something that must be trained into students, but rather something that must be inculcated over time, through experience, observation, and how you approach situations in everyday life.

At Ashoka, these core strengths are cultivated through its intensive courses, which ensure that students use a combination of quantitative and qualitative skills, as well as critical and creative thinking, to approach each problem.

Research & Academia

Students have countless chances to dive into their academic passions here at Ashoka by participating in undergraduate research projects and faculty-led initiatives. They can even partake in Capstone projects, which are comprehensive academic assignments usually done at the end of a degree programme to demonstrate the skills they have acquired by working on a real-world programme. These opportunities provide students with the hands-on experience required to succeed in the realm of academic research. Most Ashokan alumni who are passionate about academia often thrive as PhD scholars, researchers in their chosen fields, and research analysts.

Corporate Leadership & Marketing

Many corporate giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Hindustan Unilever Limited actively seek to recruit Ashokans, drawn by their outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, leadership acuity, and strong interpersonal skills. The Centre for Entrepreneurship, alongside the Department of Entrepreneurship, is dedicated to nurturing students whose only passion is business, management, and marketing. They offer essential guidance and hands-on experience, enabling students to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

Through diverse entrepreneurial courses, engaging workshops, and insightful seminars featuring industry leaders, along with vibrant networking events, Ashokans are well-equipped to carve out their success in the business world.

Why Employers Value Ashoka Graduates

Theoretical knowledge and technical skills are undoubtedly deciding factors that each student must have if they want to secure a good job, but what truly sets some students apart from others is their first-hand experiences and the invaluable insights they have gained along their journey. These students find themselves at an advantage, with a significantly higher chance of being hired by a reputable company.

At Ashoka, students are actively encouraged to tackle real-time problems and use their theoretical knowledge and judgement in their courses. For instance, students pursuing Entrepreneurship engage in fieldwork, pairing up with Sales and Marketing Managers of different companies. They visit branches to observe the day-to-day work done and uncover some major obstacles these businesses face. Similarly, Economics students are presented with research papers on economics and public policy. They analyse the policy interventions implemented in the experiments and are required to brainstorm better policy interventions and strategies.

It is this hands-on experience and the soft skills that one learns from it, along with other technical and analytical abilities, that set a student apart in the eyes of employers. It is predominantly for this reason that employers value Ashoka graduates, acknowledging their competence and potential to thrive in any dynamic environment. This seamless integration of a solid theoretical base with practical knowledge not only makes them competent students but also innovators capable of making an impact.

Redefining the Meaning of Success

As one moves through life and tries to find a path meant for them, they often question what success is and what it means to them. Does being successful simply mean landing a high-paying job in one of the Big Four consulting firms, or does it mean collaborating on a research project with a professor you look up to? The truth is, there is no one right answer, just like there is no one right path that leads to success. It is your idea of what success means to you that will lead you down the best path, one meant for you. We are well aware that finding this path, let alone making your journey through it, can be daunting. You might second-guess yourself and doubt your abilities. It is in these moments that having the right guidance from people who have been through this journey is not only valuable but essential.

Ashoka University, an institution that stands for the fundamentals of liberal education, allows its students to explore various subjects, paths and opportunities without the fear of failure. It not only ensures that each student can discover their own definition of success, and make a path leading them to that definition, but also provides them guidance, advice and support every step of the way.

Success is defined by your aspirations, the path to success is the route you take to reach your success, and to be a successful person is to be someone who has accomplished their dream through hard work, dedication and proper guidance.

Written by – Soha Brahma, Economics and Finance Major