Career Counselor Jitin Chawla on How Career Decisions are Actually Made in India

Most career decisions in India are not made through structured guidance. They are shaped by family opinions, peer pressure, exam scores, and whatever option feels safest at that moment.

In a fireside conversation at Masters’ Union, Ankur Vohra, Head of Institutional Partnerships at Masters’ Union, sat down with Jitin Chawla, career counselor and study abroad mentor with over two decades of experience, to unpack how careers really take shape over time. The discussion focused on what students miss when they rush decisions, why early choices feel irreversible, and how long-term clarity is built through exposure rather than guesswork.

This chat is a grounded look at how careers evolve in the real world.

What students often get wrong at the decision stage

1. Career choices are treated as one-time decisions

2. Strengths are confused with marks

3. Guidance comes too late in the process

4. Exposure is replaced with assumptions

Why Early Academic Choices Should Not Lock Your Career

Jitin traced his own journey from science to management to counseling to highlight a critical insight. Most students believe their first academic choice defines their future. In reality, it only defines their starting point.

He explained how choosing physics after school was not driven by career clarity, but by performance in one subject. That decision later helped him develop analytical depth, which eventually supported his success in competitive exams and management education.

What this means for students today

1. Early degrees build skills, not destinies

2. Career pivots are normal and often necessary

3. Competitive strengths matter more than subject labels

4. Self-awareness develops with time and exposure

Why Coaching Alone Does Not Guarantee Career Success

One of the strongest points made during the conversation was about over-dependence on coaching. According to Jitin, coaching can support preparation, but it cannot replace sincerity and depth.

He shared how he prepared for competitive exams using old material and self-discipline rather than expensive coaching programs. The difference, he argued, is not access to resources but commitment to understanding fundamentals.

Lessons students should take from this

1. Coaching is optional, discipline is not

2. Depth of understanding beats surface preparation

3. Self-driven learning compounds over time

4. Outcomes improve with consistency, not shortcuts

Why Industry Experience Shapes Career Confidence

Jitin’s early corporate roles in sales and brand management played a major role in shaping his worldview. Managing territories, leading teams at a young age, and working across cities exposed him to operational realities that textbooks cannot teach.

These experiences also highlighted the importance of communication, adaptability, and cultural understanding. Skills that later became critical in his work as a career counselor.

What industry experience builds early

1. Decision-making under uncertainty

2. Communication across diverse stakeholders

3. Leadership before formal authority

4. Realistic expectations for careers

Study Abroad Is a Strategy, Not a Shortcut

When the conversation turned to study abroad pathways, Jitin was direct. International education is not a guarantee of success. It only works when aligned with long-term goals.

He stressed the importance of understanding why a student wants to study abroad, what skills they plan to build, and how that education fits into a larger career plan. Without this clarity, international degrees risk becoming expensive detours.

How to think about studying abroad

1. Define career outcomes before choosing geography

2. Evaluate return on learning, not just return on money

3. Understand industry relevance of the degree

4. Avoid herd-driven decisions

The Role of Exposure in Career Clarity

A recurring theme throughout the session was exposure. Jitin emphasized that most students do not lack ability. They lack visibility into what careers actually look like on the ground.

From internships to live market work to leadership roles in college, each experience helped shape clearer decisions later. His internship at Berger Paints, which involved market visits and dealer conversations, directly influenced his final placement and career confidence.

At Masters’ Union, this philosophy is embedded into the learning model. Immersion programmes, industry projects, and international exposure modules ensure that students engage with global business environments early in their journey. Rather than relying only on classroom theory, students interact with founders, investors, operators, and international ecosystems to test assumptions before making long-term career commitments.

How exposure changes decision-making

1. Converts assumptions into informed choices

2. Builds confidence through real feedback

3. Helps students test interests before committing

4. Reduces fear of experimentation

Careers are not built through perfect planning. They are built through exposure, reflection, and the courage to adapt. The conversation between Ankur Vohra and Jitin Chawla reinforced a simple truth. The earlier students engage with real-world insights, the better their long-term decisions become.

FAQs

How should students approach career decisions after school?

Students should treat early decisions as starting points, not final outcomes. Exposure and self-awareness matter more than immediate certainty.

Is choosing the wrong stream after Class 12 irreversible?

No. Skills developed in any stream can be transferred across careers. Most successful professionals pivot at least once.

Does coaching guarantee success in competitive exams?

No. Coaching can help, but discipline, depth, and consistency play a bigger role in long-term outcomes.

How important is industry exposure during college?

Industry exposure builds confidence, context, and decision-making ability. It helps students understand how careers work in reality.

Should students study abroad to improve career prospects?

International exposure can be valuable, but only when it aligns with long-term career goals. At Masters’ Union, students gain global immersion through curated international modules and industry-led exposure, ensuring that global learning is purposeful rather than aspirational.