Vidhya Founder Aparna Kolagatla Transforms Career Counselling in India

For decades, career counselling in India has measured student potential primarily through grades and conventional career paths. Aparna Kolagatla, founder of Vidhya, is changing that. Her personalised mentorship model prioritises self-discovery, long-term growth, and aligning education with a student’s true potential.

“Most counselling stops at aptitude tests or predefined career options,” Aparna says. “We focus on subject selection, interview preparation, and balancing academics with sports or the arts.” At the heart of Vidhya’s approach are shadowing experiences and mentorship. Aparna recalls guiding a 15-year-old student torn between fine arts and applied design. By connecting the student with a UI/UX and product designer, the student explored creative technology and industrial design, ultimately earning a scholarship at a top design school.

Today, Vidhya mentors students across India, offering services such as profile building, interview preparation, gap year guidance, and summer school programmes. Since joining the Women Startup Programme at IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL in 2020, Vidhya has faced challenges in establishing credibility. Parents often compare independent mentoring with large coaching institutes, while schools tend to favour broad-based counselling.

“Families who value holistic development see the benefit of our approach, especially for global opportunities like Ivy League admissions or entrepreneurship,” Aparna says. “But resistance remains from those focused solely on traditional careers.”

Aparna’s vision for Vidhya is deliberate: she prioritises quality over rapid expansion. She is building structured programmes and a network of trained mentors to ensure every student receives guidance designed not just for immediate success, but for a lifelong journey of self-evolution.

“Education should develop self-awareness, adaptability, and real-world competencies,” Aparna emphasizes. “It should bridge the gap between learning and employability, inspire entrepreneurship, and help shape future leaders and change-makers.”