IIMC Insider
"Unconventional Careers After a Journalism Degree"
Your degree taught you to tell stories. Now let it take you places the newsroom never could.
Transition Stories
Real journeys.
Real journeys.
Honest stories.
From classroom crossroads to career pivots — straight from those who lived it.
Edu → Career
Simranjeet Kaur
Simranjeet Kaur
B.Tech, IIT Bombay
→
Product Manager
"
Everyone thought Engineering Physics had limited opportunities. I had no idea what PMs did until my third year. One honest conversation changed everything.
I grew up in a small village and prepared for JEE during COVID without offline coaching. Getting into IIT Bombay felt like reaching the destination—but graduation raised an entirely new question: What comes next? I discovered Product Management almost by accident through internships and conversations with seniors. Looking back, I realize that the right guidance at the right time can completely change your direction. That's why I'm here.
Academia → Industry
Dr Aditya Narendra
Dr Aditya Narendra
PhD Physics (Poland)
→
AI Specialist
"
I didn't leave research because I failed. I transitioned because I wanted to build AI that people use every day.
I spent years researching the universe through Astronomy and Machine Learning, eventually earning my PhD in Poland. Along the way, I realized that the same analytical skills used in research could solve real-world AI problems. Today, I work in Generative AI as a Data Scientist, proving that academia and industry aren't opposite paths—they're connected by the right transition.
Career → Career
Piyush Anand
Piyush Anand
IIT Mandi
→
IIM Lucknow
"
I didn't have one perfect plan. I kept building skills, saying yes to opportunities, and each step opened the next one. That reframe saved me.
From being an academic scholar and cracking JEE to working at Bosch, pursuing an MBA at IIM Lucknow, and now leading global programs at Amazon, I've learned that careers aren't built by chasing titles—they're built by continuously expanding your skills and perspective. Every stage prepared me for the next, even when I couldn't see the full picture.
Career → Academia
Mohammad Muzzammil
Mohammad Muzzammil
Consulting
→
PhD Scholar, IIT BHU
"
I didn't return to academia because I wanted to leave industry. I came back because I wanted to ask bigger question, and create deeper impact.
My journey has taken me from IIT (BHU) to management consulting, where I advised global pharmaceutical companies and foreign governments on strategy, innovation, and emerging technologies. Today, I've returned to IIT (BHU) as a doctoral researcher, proving that moving between industry and academia isn't a step backward—it's another way to grow.
Career → Academia
Yamini Vadapalli
Yamini Vadapalli
B.Tech
→
Higher Studies in Germany
"
I didn't need a perfect roadmap to study abroad. I needed the right preparation, the right applications, and the confidence to take the first step.
My journey took me from a Biotechnology degree in India to a Master's in Cardiovascular Science at the University of Göttingen and now a PhD in Cell Biology. Along the way, I learned that studying abroad isn't just about grades—it's about building the right profile, preparing strategically, and believing that opportunities exist beyond borders.
Education → Career
Haraprasad Dhal
Haraprasad Dhal
Physics (NISER)
→
Data Science & AI
"
I didn't have a CS degree. I built the skills, the roadmap, and the confidence to transit into AI anyway.
Coming from an MSc in Physics at NISER, I realized that strong analytical thinking was one of my biggest advantages—not a limitation. By focusing on fundamentals, practical projects, and consistent learning, I successfully transitioned into Data Science and AI. My journey taught me that your background doesn't define your future; your learning approach does.
Mentor Insights
Straight from the people who've done it
Every article is written by a verified mentor — no generic advice, no AI-generated listicles.
