1. Please tell us about the work you’ve been doing after graduation.
I joined the Deshpande Foundation (DF) as an Innovation Associate immediately after graduating from IIT Madras. I worked there for three years, primarily with their flagship K-12 education
program, which provides after-school language and life skills lessons for primary and secondary students in government schools of Dharward and Hubballi. My role, like many others in the organization, evolved as the organization did. In my last year with DF, I was a Senior Associate responsible for the academic functions and quality assurance of the education program.
In 2021, I moved to Oxford to pursue a Master’s in Comparative and International Education at the University of Oxford. After graduation, I worked with an arts/education charity called Tender as their Research & Impact Manager. I currently live in Oxford with my husband, Kiran, and work with an organization called ImpactEd as an Impact Partnerships Manager, helping educational and social-purpose organizations in the UK measure their impact efficiently.
2. How was your time in insti and can you tell us about some memorable experiences you had here?
In retrospect, Insti feels like a dream. The department corridors, the many nights at Gurunath (a cafeteria space back then) where some of us were harmlessly ragged by the seniors, dedicated visits to the Andhra mess (Gopika and I basically became friends over food), the night when Lekshmy and I were chased by dogs and ran for our lives to a nearby restaurant, fun times in the hostel (where Zuha Moideen and I found a home away from Thrissur in our room filled with “wannabe” interior decor), the OAT and KKS movie nights (one of those nights was when I found a best friend in Aishu), my secret personal trips to the shopping complex, the rains, late-night walks, the impromptu chayas and coffees that solved our collective existential questions (Gouri, Aparna, and Aditya will surely relate)—all of it is too far away from my memory but so close to my heart.
That is not to deny that living it was not easy. I was first diagnosed with clinical depression when I was at Insti. Many of us went completely crazy at a certain point, not only because of the subject matter of our education (special thanks to Philosophy lessons) but also because it was an overwhelming and unsettling five years. Although there were many systemic issues we were grappling with, I also do not want to forget how we supported and appreciated each other—a casual compliment on a sari or jhumka, a thoughtful WhatsApp message or a post-it when you really needed it, or a box of food from the mess in front of your room on a bad day (Hasnathatha and Hennathatha, thinking of you both).
There was a whole lot to do and places to be, so it was natural that we were hard on ourselves for not meeting certain expectations (some of which were non-existent, but we were unforgiving to ourselves nevertheless). Weaving an identity for oneself within all that brilliance was a worthwhile but painful process.
Insti was also more than coursework and resume building. I made so many meaningful friendships, fell in and out of love, got my first tattoo, for the first time thought I was beautiful, travelled to new places, spent many hours at Bessie and learned to appreciate the little things in life. I am a total hopeless romantic, so it was not difficult to find beauty even in the worst of times. I survived Insti, thanks to my weekly chicken biryani and my ability to romanticize even the silliest thing.
I remember Insti with love and a lot of warmth, but I do not want to forget that it was a difficult, arduous journey both for myself and for the people around me.
3. Any course that you especially liked, or any course or prof that helped you pave your future path?
I would categorize the courses based on their intrinsic and extrinsic value. There were certainly some courses I completed primarily for the sake of grades. But there were also some courses and materials that truly resonated with me.
The development studies courses made the most difference—State and Development, Gender and Development, Contemporary Issues in Development, Development Theory and Practice (thinking of Kalpana ma’am, Binitha ma’am, Prof. Chella, Santhosh Sir, Solly). I was able to genuinely grasp and engage with the material, and I was confident that I would be able to apply these concepts in the future. I also truly enjoyed my dissertation work with Prof. Roland, who not only had a lighthearted approach throughout the MAP work but also pushed me to improve my thinking and scholarship.
I wish I had invested more time and effort into Economics and Statistics courses instead of getting too intimidated by the material. The IT lab was definitely useful—I cannot imagine a day without Excel or PowerPoint. I also enjoyed creative writing and literature courses on a personal level—they really helped me understand my voice and provided me with a channel to communicate, albeit imperfectly.
4. How did you balance academics, extracurriculars and hobbies while in insti and how did you deal with overwhelming situations?
I didn’t have to find much balance because I wasn’t doing as much, atleast compared to others in my cohort. I wasn’t a particularly bright student. I did what I could, as genuinely as possible. I was more interested in the learning process than the outcome, which wasn’t ideal because your self-esteem plummets if you have bad grades in a place where grades define your identity to some extent.
In terms of extracurriculars, I tried a few things in the first year, but nothing really worked out. NSS was perhaps the only activity I engaged in consistently. I started as a volunteer and then worked in a managerial capacity for a year. The work there resonated with me and likely influenced my professional choices later. I also developed a love for reading during my time at Insti. Until 2011, I had only read Malayalam texts, so reading and writing (for non-academic purposes) in English (for non-academic purposes) was life-changing for me. It opened a world beyond my small reality. Apart from that, I wasn’t consistent in any other activities.
In retrospect, I think I was very strategic in how I approached things, but that was it. Personal well-being and experiences were of prime importance to me. I was open to people, places and experiences, and went along with the flow. I was committed to some personal routines—I did yoga, found time to reflect and meditate, gave 100% to my friendships (most of the time), and explored Chennai in my own ways. I was, and still am, a foodie and ate to my heart’s content.
So yes, the bottom line is that I didn’t do much to balance in the first place, and whatever little I did, I didn’t think or care about balance after a point. That’s surely because I also had the privilege to be indifferent.
5. What made you pursue your studies again? How was the experience of being a working professional and then a student again?
I totally recommend it! I chose to pursue further studies partly because I was aware that I was in a field I knew very little about and partly because of a brief conversation I had with Santhosh sir about my next steps. Without that push, I might have stayed in my comfort zone and missed out on the growth I’ve experienced in the past few years. Although I enjoyed my time at DF, I recognized a knowledge and skill gap that impacted my work. So, I knew exactly what I was looking for, and I found it in the program at Oxford. It was a very rewarding experience, and I am proud of what I contributed to the program as much as what I gained from it.
My three years of working in India significantly influenced my experience at Oxford. Not only did it provide me with a new perspective, but it also equipped me with essential skills like time management and project management. These are important life skills that can be applied to any aspect of life. I was clear about my priorities and had a definite sense of what I wanted to achieve during my time at Oxford. I was able to reinvent myself as a student. While I felt insecure, underconfident, and intimidated by the intelligence that surrounded me at Insti, at Oxford, my approach was to collaborate and build with the surrounding brilliance and knowledge. I asked questions, shared my ideas and opinions, and engaged deeply with the learning material.
I was also fortunate to be part of a wonderful scholarship cohort. I could not give it my best due to various reasons, but it certainly added value to my Oxford experience. I made a few wonderful friends. Oxford was surreal, not just the university but also being in this beautiful city! By the time of graduation, I knew that I had gained something substantial—more than I had hoped for.
6. Quite a few HSS students aspire to go for higher education abroad after completing their Master’s here at IITM. What advice do you have for them based on your experience?
I’d be happy to chat in more detail because it’s difficult to condense this answer into a paragraph. I also want to caveat that I was a very last-minute and somewhat sloppy applicant. I could only apply to Oxford due to time and resource constraints and I was rushing through much of the application process. So, I speak from my limited experience and appreciate that this method and path will be different for everyone.
For starters, be clear about what you want to achieve through higher education. Direct your research towards universities and programs and be strategic in how you filter them out. It’s ideal if you have some work or field experience beforehand for all the reasons I discussed earlier. You acquire multiple soft skills as you live and work independently, especially outside of your family and comfort zone. These skills will be immensely helpful and transferable when you study again, particularly in a different context.
Also, be mindful of the costs involved in higher education and the risks that come with it. Conduct a clear cost-benefit analysis if time permits. This means doing additional research on the market and job opportunities in the country you are planning to study in. I’d also recommend that you choose disciplines and areas you are genuinely passionate about. This makes the journey smoother and the next steps (finding a job, applying for a PhD) much easier. I mention this because there is a tendency currently to pursue subjects that are popular in the market. Finally, consider higher education as a natural next step for your work so far. Pay attention to what interests you now and be committed to that field/subject – read related books, go to conferences, start a blog, find and connect with relevant voices in the field, try short- or long-term work opportunities. Everything eventually adds up!
7. How did the Integrated Master’s in IITM and MSc in Comparative and International Education from Oxford help you navigate the intersectionality between social research and social impact?
Good question! IITM served as more of an introduction, particularly in the first two years. It helped me grasp the landscape and broadly understand the fundamental theories, principles, and mechanisms of development. What I particularly appreciated was that we covered a wide range of topics in the limited time we had—gender, philosophy, culture, economics, politics, history, literature… almost all of it. Emphasizing intersectionality and interdisciplinarity proved immensely useful professionally as well. Regardless of the sector one decides to specialize in later, this understanding of how different sectors, disciplines, and actors, along with their interests, interact is foundational to our understanding of the world. Understanding different fields was crucial because it gave me a sense of direction and helped me assess my own competencies. However, it was mostly theoretical, and there wasn’t much encouragement to practice or apply it unless we undertook serious internships or chose such projects for MAP. In short, I believe Insti provided a good opportunity to learn the foundations broadly.
The program at Oxford, to me, was all about rigor. I also had more time, materials, and opportunities to engage with my areas of interest. With fewer courses per semester and fewer class hours per week, I had more autonomy over my time. This allowed for participation in reading groups, student societies, and other activities happening both within and outside the campus. I also valued how our program was largely designed around real-life cases and how much of the in-class discussion revolved around forming our own views on systems and practices worldwide. This active engagement with the content was truly enriching. Additionally, the diverse backgrounds of the cohort, spanning personal, professional, and disciplinary backgrounds, enriched our discussions and broadened our worldview.
I’m not suggesting that either experience was perfect or that one was a straightforward guidebook to social research or practice. But they both played crucial and complementary roles in helping me build a holistic view of the world. What is common, though, is that they were both equally humbling experiences. Being amidst such brilliance wasn’t easy, but I recognize that it made me more self-aware as an individual.
8. Please tell us about your time at the Deshpande Foundation.
It was my first job, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. I went there with an open mind and heart. While it was often challenging and frustrating, it was equally rewarding. DF, at that time, was at a crucial juncture in its journey, undergoing a structural and strategic overhaul. The organization, both in theory and practice, was open to experiments, innovation, and reimagination.
I had the wonderful fortune of working with an amazing team of teachers and education practitioners. We were all completely invested in the program, and I believe we achieved something significant with our collective efforts. I learned some Kannada while I was there, and field visits became my personal escapades. I’d go to our teacher Laxmi’s school early in the morning to teach English, and afterward, we’d have poha and tea together in her room. It was a fun and fulfilling time.
I also had the good fortune of working with the wider organization in different capacities—it was a space of learning both professionally and personally. Our team worked very closely with the leadership and the board on key projects such as research and curriculum development, assessments, and teacher training. We were given complete freedom to identify and deliver the best solutions for our program, which meant we could maximize our time and resources by partnering with brilliant organizations and people.
DF helped me realize what I want to do in life and how I want to do it, so I will be eternally grateful to that place and its people.
9. Some insights for the current students?
No grand insights or tips but hopefully the following will end up being useful:
● Save your course outlines, notes and reading materials on your personal drives so you can refer to them later. Do not underestimate the value of all these texts and resources for your professional/personal development.
● Aim for an individual style, in your work and play. It is easy to be tempted to follow someone else’s methods and templates (often, tried and tested templates), but have a thought process about what kind of a student/individual you want to be during your time at Insti.
● Be active participants of the community. Remember that you are part of a bigger whole – problem-solve, stand up for each other, and be critical and vocal as much as you possibly can. You do not have to ask the right questions or offer the perfect answers but especially when it comes to matters of well-being, step up! Make sure you also create a healthy space for the cohorts coming after you.
● Sure, we should respect everyone’s personal space and needs. But know when and how to intervene so you can support your friends and classmates effectively.
● Please don’t take that space or time for granted. It’s near impossible to have a similar experience later in life – I mean the beautiful physical space of the campus but also the life, people, places, and moments within it. Be open to new experiences, document them and do not take them for granted.
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