Deepa Krishnan believes that in today’s world, classroom learning alone is not enough. Experiential learning is becoming increasingly important, and travel is one of its most effective mediums. Travel exposes us to different cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, broadening our outlook and providing valuable insights.
She spoke to us in an exclusive conversation. Here are some key excerpts:
Did you feel, while studying in college, that the subjects you chose would influence your future career?
At that time, my knowledge about career options was very limited. There was no internet and hardly any access to career counseling.
I had only heard of career options like Cost Accountancy and Chartered Accountancy, but I had little interest in accounting or other commerce-related subjects. I often felt as though I was in a place where I did not really belong—like a “fish out of water.”
Did any extracurricular activity, travel experience, or other exposure during college help you discover a new direction?
I participated in many extracurricular activities during college. Taking part in quizzes and competitions significantly boosted my confidence. During the admission process for IIM, this confidence helped me handle group discussions and interviews effectively.
Do you think your education changed the way you view and understand the world?
The greatest lessons I learned at IIM Calcutta came from my classmates. My class was filled with highly talented students. At times, I felt that everyone around me was smarter than I was. They came from different parts of the country and had diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Some were open-minded, while others had a more limited outlook. Some were intensely focused on their careers, while others spent most of their time enjoying campus life. The college campus was like a school of life, where it was up to me to decide what truly mattered and what did not.
This environment helped me understand what was important to me and the kind of people I wanted to connect with.
How did you decide on your initial career steps after completing your studies?
After completing my MBA, I joined Lakmé Limited. However, I soon left my job to start my own business.
As an entrepreneur, how do you think education prepares a person to start a business?
I completed my MBA with a specialization in Marketing. While an MBA can make you a good manager, it does not necessarily make you an entrepreneur.
Today, there are specialized entrepreneurship courses available that can be far more useful for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Your organization, Magic Tours, conducts educational tours for schools and colleges. What kind of learning do students gain through these tours?
For students from urban schools, we organize tours to rural India, where they interact with farmers, weavers, artisans, and NGOs. We conduct discussions and workshops to help them understand the rural economy, ecology, income patterns, and various social aspects of rural life.
Students often meet individuals who are creating change at the grassroots level and hear their inspiring stories. These experiences introduce them to new ways of thinking. I strongly believe that such exposure is a very important part of education.
If you had not entered the tourism and travel industry, what field do you think you would have been working in?
Most likely, I would have been working in the field of social service.
What skills should students focus on if they want to build a career in tourism, culture, or travel-related fields?
The tourism and hospitality sector offers a wide range of career opportunities. Some roles are customer-facing, while others involve backend operations. Therefore, it is important to first understand the kind of work that interests you.
Communication skills are extremely important because you need to connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Along with that, you should have a genuine passion for culture, food, and travel.
If you wish to enter hotel management, catering, or the food industry, pursuing relevant professional courses can be beneficial. Within tourism, there are also specialized fields such as adventure tourism, wildlife tourism, and educational tourism, which require specific knowledge and skills.
In today’s world, social media and marketing skills are equally valuable. If you are good at content creation, promotion, or branding, you can build a successful career in tourism marketing.
For those aspiring to enter tourism and hospitality, my advice is to go beyond formal education. Actively participate in school and college events, especially as part of organizing or marketing teams. This helps develop planning, coordination, and people-management skills, which are highly valuable in this industry.
What is the most important career advice you would give to students today?
Do not limit yourself to academics alone. Identify your interests and skills and work on developing them. Choose a career that aligns with your passions and strengths.