Beyond Degrees: How Indian Colleges Can Prepare Students for Diverse Careers

As India’s higher education ecosystem undergoes rapid transformation, institutions are rethinking how to equip students for a future driven by creativity, adaptability, ethics, and innovation. In this conversation, Ms. Bini Philips, Director of the Development Office at BMU, shares insights into how universities can develop responsible leaders prepared for cross-industry careers spanning technology, sustainability, public policy, communications, and more.

EDUCATION ACROSS CULTURES

My journey has been deeply shaped by higher education. Studying at globally reputed institutions-where my imagination was encouraged and my aspirations nurtured-helped me think critically, stay curious, and most importantly, believe that my voice carries weight. Collaborations between the Fletcher School, Tufts University, Harvard, and MIT gave me the opportunity to learn across academic boundaries. These cross-institutional and industry-academia exchanges broadened my worldview.

Today, I work at a leading Indian higher education institute barely a decade old. Yet, it demonstrates how transformative higher education can be-reshaping not only individual lives, but the lives of families and communities. The ability to remain unafraid of not knowing, but deeply afraid of not wanting to know, has become one of my greatest personal learnings.

CONVERGENCE OF CAREERS

Education is most effective when it pushes students to analyse issues from every stakeholder’s perspective. Whether it’s an engineer understanding the ecological consequences of her work, or a management student who views a neighbourhood tailor shop and a top consulting firm with the same analytical lens-lateral thinking naturally leads to ethical decision-making.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 strongly emphasizes multidisciplinary learning and international exposure, crucial for thriving in an age of Artificial Intelligence. Today, India needs lawyers who understand AI and tech professionals who grasp public policy. Institutions like BMU are prioritising this interdisciplinary approach, showcased during their Founder’s Day celebration, SAAR, held on November 14.

India has made remarkable progress in universal access to education, but the real leap forward lies in dissolving traditional academic boundaries and equipping students with a blend of domain expertise and broad-based understanding.

PRACTICE MEETS THEORY

The development sector sits at the intersection of government, industry, academia, and society-acting as a bridge, a mediator, and often the glue binding these worlds. As a young graduate from Delhi University, I worked in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, with Dalit women, tribal communities, and in one instance, even a reformed dacoit. These experiences were invaluable.

Later, at Medford in Massachusetts, classroom discussions helped contextualize my grassroots experiences within broader socio-political frameworks. Higher education gave shape, structure, and vision to my fieldwork. Students today no longer need to choose between exposure and education-well-designed undergraduate programs now offer both, integrating field experience with rigorous academic training.

CHANGING EDUCATION

I recently had the privilege of meeting Ms. Arundhati Bhattacharya, a literature graduate who went on to become the first woman chairperson of SBI. She is a testament to what higher education can achieve when it breaks academic silos and encourages interdisciplinary thinking.

I have learned the most when I stepped out of my comfort zone-exploring subjects I thought I had no connection with. While specializations matter, they should never narrow a student’s worldview. Holistic education builds confidence, eliminates imposter syndrome, and empowers students to take risks, learn from failure, and try again.

In many ways, resilience is as crucial a skill as engineering, law, or psychology. The true power of higher education lies in its ability to help young people believe in themselves, find belonging, and pursue purposeful futures.

EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE

Early global exposure can completely transform a student’s trajectory, especially through a study-abroad semester or short-term summer program. To truly gain from such opportunities, students should prioritize courses, mentors, and curriculum over the country of study.

An exceptional teacher can change your life by awakening passions you never knew existed. To maximize learning, students must familiarize themselves with course expectations, seek intellectually stimulating professors, and remain open to new ideas. Adapting to a new culture may feel intimidating initially, but the experience teaches as much as the classroom.

Exploring campus life, joining clubs, and participating in local events help students integrate into the community. Group projects, in particular, can be powerful learning experiences-shaping communication skills, collaboration, and self-expression.

SOCIAL IMPACT

Concepts such as social impact, gender equity, and sustainability are now globally relevant and increasingly demanded in professional spaces. Integrating these ideas seamlessly into mainstream curricula has been challenging-not just in academia, but across industries.

However, as young people grow more conscious and purpose-driven, every sector must adapt. Academia has long been a pioneer in promoting subjects like equality, political ecology, and social development-though primarily within the humanities and arts. But today, disciplines such as engineering, management, economics, psychology, and law must also incorporate these perspectives.

A strong approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and socially relevant education is no longer optional-it is essential for preparing students to lead ethically and responsibly in a rapidly changing world.