At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Anjali Uppal for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Anjali is an Independent Education Consultant, College Mentor Entrepreneur and Founder & Mentor at Astria Education. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Anjali:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My journey into education counselling was deeply personal. When my elder daughter applied for college overseas, we struggled to find well-informed, personalized guidance that truly addressed her needs.
This experience made me realize how many families face similar challenges, navigating the complex admissions process with uncertainty. Determined to bridge this gap, I transitioned into counseling to provide students and parents with clear, expert-backed, and student-first support.
Over the past 9+ years, I have worked extensively in both school-based counseling and independent practice. At The Shriram Millennium Schools (Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad), I lead the College Application Department (CAD), where I provide one-on-one counseling, mentor students and colleagues, and help build structured systems that enable institutions to offer sustainable, long-term support to students.
I later established Astria Education, transitioning from a previous partnership to an independent venture. Through Astria Education, I now work with students and institutions to streamline the college application process, ensuring that guidance is personalized, well-informed, and strategic.
My journey has been about bridging gaps in access to quality counseling and empowering students, parents, and educators with the right tools and information to make confident decisions.
Along the way, I have actively contributed to collaborative communities that promote knowledge-sharing in the counseling field. As a founding AGB member of The Outreach Collective (TOC), an IC3 Leader and a member of the IC3 Content & Research Committee, and an active member of IACAC and AIIEC, I have worked to create networks where counselors, schools, and universities can exchange insights and resources.
Starting in July 2025, I will be serving as a volunteer member of the IACAC Membership Committee, furthering my commitment to strengthening the global counseling community.
‘Astria Education’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving.
The name Astria Education represents guidance—much like the stars (Astra) that illuminate the path forward. Astria was founded with the vision of bridging gaps in access to quality, ethical counseling, ensuring that students receive well-informed, unbiased support when making crucial academic decisions.
One of the biggest challenges in the college admissions space is misinformation and lack of transparency. Many students and parents struggle to find reliable, personalized guidance, often relying on fragmented advice. Astria Education solves this by offering:
a) Personalized Strategy – Crafting application plans that align with students’ strengths and aspirations.
b) Transparency & Clarity – Simplifying the complex admission process with accurate, expert-backed information.
c) Institutional Support – Helping schools establish structured counseling departments that provide long-term student benefits.
At its core, Astria Education is about empowering students, parents, and institutions with the right tools to make confident decisions.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
The most rewarding part of my work is seeing students achieve their goals with clarity and confidence. Knowing that the right guidance can completely transform a student’s academic journey and unlock opportunities they never thought possible keeps me motivated.
Another driving force is collaboration and community. I initiated the Education Collaboration Squad (ECS)—a WhatsApp group of 800+ counselors, school leaders, and university representatives—to bring everyone under one umbrella for accurate information dissemination. Creating spaces where student-first counseling is prioritized reinforces why I do what I do.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) Integrity is everything. Trust is the foundation of good counseling. Providing ethical, student-first advice should always come before short-term gains.
2) Continuous learning is key. The education landscape is constantly evolving, and staying updated ensures students receive the best guidance.
3) Collaboration leads to greater impact. The best results happen when counselors, educators, and institutions work together to empower students.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success, especially in education counselling, is built on:
Empathy – Truly understanding a student’s aspirations and challenges.
Consistency – Staying committed to research, learning, and delivering high-quality support.
Authenticity – Providing honest, unbiased guidance that prioritizes students’ best interests over prestige or rankings.
Success is not about numbers or brand names—it’s about creating long-term, meaningful impact in students’ lives.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
For students, my advice is simple: explore, learn, and stay open to opportunities. Careers today aren’t linear, and the best opportunities often come when you step outside your comfort zone. Develop skills, seek mentorship, and focus on genuine interests rather than trends.
For young professionals in education counseling, I emphasize continuous learning and ethical practice. Certifications like UCLA’s College Counseling program and THE CAP provide credible knowledge, while organizations like IACAC, TOC, AIIEC, and IC3 offer valuable networking and professional development. My own journey has been enriched by these communities, as they provide global insights, collaboration opportunities, and access to best practices.
Above all, work with integrity. Families place immense trust in counselors, and it’s our responsibility to provide accurate, expert-backed, and student-first guidance. When you focus on impact rather than just results, success follows naturally.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
The most fulfilling part of my journey is witnessing students grow in confidence—not just getting into top universities, but discovering who they are and what they truly want. Education should be about exploration, and helping students navigate that path is incredibly rewarding.
Beyond individual success stories, the excitement also comes from building frameworks that create long-term change. Through Astria Education, my work with TSMS, and initiatives like ECS, I have been able to establish systems that outlast individual interactions—ensuring that structured, ethical guidance reaches more students year after year.
This ability to make a lasting impact—whether by mentoring students, training counselors, or fostering collaboration—is what makes this journey truly meaningful.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
