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 Ramkumar Rajagopal for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Ramkumar is a Career Counselor, Life & Relationship Coach and Founder of Guiding Light Mentors. Let’s learn more about his background, his inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Ramkumar:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I have over 20 years of experience working in different areas like operations, project management and client servicing. My career started with roles at two of the largest banks in the world where I led teams, improved processes, and handled customer concerns effectively.
After I joined one of the biggest IT firms in India I got an opportunity to travel to the US where I lived for a couple of years at the same time, I got promoted and started handling large portfolios for pharmaceutical clients, managing resources, and helping improve business performance. Later, I helped my father by working with my family’s consultancy business, helping clients set up petrol pumps by coordinating with oil companies and government departments.
After that, I joined an organization specializing in providing testing and assessment for various industries including education, professional certification, licencing and workforce development as a Centre Head managing two centres.
Currently, I run my own venture called Guiding Light Mentors as a Career Counsellor, Study Abroad Counsellor and Life & Relationship Coach. I guide people in choosing the right career, help them move abroad as students and also counsel clients using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy by improving relationships, and achieving personal growth.
In short, I’ve always focused on improving processes, building strong teams, and helping people achieve their goals.
How did you discover your passion?
I discovered my passion during a Eureka moment while speaking to a student and their parents about the student’s career choices. What started as a routine discussion about academics evolved into a deeper conversation about the student’s aspirations, challenges, and potential. As I guided them through their doubts and helped them gain clarity, I felt, after many years of struggle, a sense of fulfilment and purpose.
That moment made me realize how much I enjoyed helping people uncover their strengths, set goals, and overcome obstacles. It wasn’t just something I was capable of doing, it was something I truly loved and found fulfilling.
Since then, I’ve pursued certifications in career counselling, Study Abroad Counseling, life coaching, and relationship coaching to enhance my skills and turn this passion into my profession. Helping individuals navigate their lives and achieve their dreams is not just my work; it’s what brings me the most joy.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps me going during tough times is knowing that the work I do makes a real difference in people’s lives. Helping someone find clarity, overcome challenges, and make positive changes gives me a deep sense of purpose.
Seeing the progress they make, even small steps reminds me why I love what I do. Support from my family and my true friends helps me stay strong, and I take time to reflect on what’s important to me. Knowing that I’m helping others and making an impact keeps me motivated, no matter how hard things get.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1. Money doesn’t solve all of life’s problems. But it solves most. Still, all of the issues that give people the most heartache and grief cannot be resolved with money. The key is to find a balance between being financially stable and having a healthy circle of close family and friends for emotional guidance and support.
2. If you don’t take care of your body when you’re young, your body won’t cooperate with you when you’re old. I see people especially those working in the corporate sector go overboard with their work hours and think it will pay off somewhere down the line only to realize their loyalty and dedication didn’t count for much. It is extremely demotivating and disheartening. Not saying that people shouldn’t work hard. Surely giving 100% at work and justifying one’s salary should be of utmost importance and priority but so is taking care of one’s physical and mental health. Earning a seven-figure salary is pointless if it comes at the cost of one’s well-being.
3. Life is a constant journey of growth, and there’s always something new to learn. Whether it’s from books, experiences, or other people, being open to learning keeps life exciting and meaningful.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
> Self Discipline
> Accountability
> Strong communication and interpersonal skills
> Strong relationships
> Being flexible and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and situations
> Being empathetic
> Exceptional listening skills.
> Having an attitude of gratitude
> Having impeccable manners
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
In my stint as a Centre head I saw far too many young adults study to pursue careers they had no interest in. Maybe my response to this question comes across as self-serving, but with the psychological know-how and advancements in AI, career counsellors are in a much better position to align interests and personalities which is extremely important in matching the individual to a career.
Students and parents should actively utilize the services of experts when it comes to navigating the plethora of choices and often confusing world of education rather than relying on half-baked information or asking friends and relatives for advice.
Besides this, students should learn soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills which often take a back seat to those seeking to only become technically proficient. Failures are part of life. Learn to embrace and learn from them.
In the age of social media and the internet, it is easy to compare lifestyles and success. And all that one is shown online is often not the complete picture. It is important to have faith in one’s own abilities and strengths and not fall in this trap of comparison. Be true to your values and interests. Pursue a career path that aligns with who you are, not just what others expect of you.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
No two days are the same for me. I’ve talked test takers out of committing suicide and I’ve seen how people go through immense pressure and stress where their careers are at stake.
In fact, my last assignment was the first time I interacted with the general public on a daily basis and it was an eye-opener for me when I saw first-hand the family dynamics that comes into play where a student’s life decisions are concerned.
That said, after starting my own venture on the back of all the years of experience I’ve had with the scores of people I’ve met, it is exciting to see how the skills and knowledge I’ve gained come together to create meaningful change for my clients.
My journey is not just about helping other people but also nurturing my own potential and passion along the way.
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.
