Her journey has been for a Noble Cause while it remains to be Entrepreneurial to sustain in Business. And started volunteering towards Education and Career Counselling in the Schools and economically backward areas of our society from the year 1996, and when was already serving various assignments impacting over a few thousands of students in a decade. As a passionate Academician, it came very naturally to reach out to the students & youth to make them aware of up-skilling themselves and making better Life-Choices through Career Counselling. With this vision, Dr. Malika Nanda set up Destination Careers in 2009 as an Offline venture, and in 2020 it metamorphosed to Online Portal, as the Pandemic created the need for it.

Dr. Malika Nanda has completed her Bachelors in Science (B.Sc.) Honours and Bachelors in Education (B.Ed.) from a reputed University. She has a Masters in Business Administration and has done a Leadership Program from IIM Kolkatta. Dr. Malika Nanda has been awarded Honorary Doctorate under Model United Nations, Geneva for her contributions to the domestic and international youth at large through her Education and Training initiatives. Apart from this, she holds a Certification in Global Career Counselling from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Extension) and a Green Belt Certification from Global Career Counselling from University, Singapore. She was awarded as Global Ambassador- Education & Training, by Golden Tower Foundation, UAE, 2017 also, Teacher Innovation Certificate (ZIIEI), Sri Aurobindo Society, 2019.

“Destination careers online portal is a start-up and is one of the leaders in the tier two strata of the career counselling industry”

What Inspired You To Take-Up Entrepreneurship, Especially In A Niche Segment Like Career Counselling? And What Were The Initial Challenges That Taught You The Basic Lessons Of Entrepreneurship And Helped You Achieve The Success That You Had In The Later Phase?

The gap between the Education System and every Household aspirations triggered the need for this platform to help Students, Parents and Teachers using scientific tools (to bring in more credibility in the Counselling). This venture had to be taken Pan India bringing in awareness and Implementation with the help of Social many bodies working in this space. So, what was already happening in an unstructured manner got a form and branding.

Initially, though I already was a known figure, however, the transformation from a free Social Cause to Paid Counselling impacted the revenue generation. So, we went slow on our Revenue Targets by tweaking our pricing for various TGs and built upon the credibility of the Counsellors. It remains a cause in principle!

As A Woman Leader, How Are You Influencing And Inspiring Others In And Around Your Professional And Personal Stratum? Also, How Do You Manage To Maintain A Balance Between Your Personal And Professional Life?

Students from Colleges, retired academicians, Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheel Clubs, CSI Dioceses and a few NGOs are very inspired by our vision to help the youth and they offer their free services as volunteers to take it forward in the Schools and Colleges. It is growing as a community service and the fees charged is humble.

Work-life Balance- this is so amazing that all my life I wore so many hats simultaneously and was happily successful in all avenues from home to work and my passionate Hobbies of Wildlife as then Consultant to Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, and an Ambassador – InterNations Women Only, Chennai Chapter. Was invited by CGI (5th Largest IT Company in the World), Chennai, on Women’s Day to be a Speaker in a Panel Discussion on ‘Successful Woman at Work-Life Balance’. At the home front, I have won the hearts of my family through their stomachs as I love cooking and have also joined the Cloud Kitchen on demand for my Mughlai Dishes! So, I would say, it’s all about Time management and good Teamwork.

Where Is Destination Career Positioned In The Current Career Consultants Industry Of India? What Is The Unique Proposition Your Company Offers That Other Companies In The Same Segment Fail To Deliver?

Destination Careers Online Portal is a Start-up and is one of the Leaders in the Tier two strata of the Career Counselling Industry. It already has a few Companies in this space wanting to partner with us. Our USP is the quality of Counsellors that we have in India and Abroad coupled with our intent of service to society at large. Destination Careers is seen as the most reliable and pocket- friendly company for Career Counselling and Development.

Some of the services offered by us include development of students, schools/colleges through annual tie-ups, parents mentoring, and faculty development workshops. We take care of students (9- 12 grades) through hand-holding and regular followups for ensuring a desirable destination to their Career.

Me, alongside my team, regularly search and participate in the webinars and talks regarding education and latest avenues of Career development.

Recently, we came in collaboration with Rotary India Literacy Mission for contributing to the education.

What Advice/Suggestions Do You Have On Mind For The Budding Entrepreneurs In The Field Of Career?

Being in Business of Career Counselling should be done to genuinely help the Students and Parents and not just to generate revenue. The underlying objective should be to help by giving the best options according to skills and personalities.

Dr. Malika Nanda, Founder, Destination Careers

Being a career counselling expert, Dr. Malika Nanda holds an experience of more than two decades. Her innovative style of career counselling and comprehensive understanding of the student's requirements have resulted in making her the Leading Woman Consultant in the country. Dr. Malika Nanda’s contributions towards the society were recognized nationally and internationally and was felicitated with various awards.