My professional work hasn’t been confined to the investment banking world. I’ve been actively working on the ground with NGOs in India, but I wanted to go beyond just raising funds. I yearned to understand the macro-level issues that caused projects to falter so I could make lasting changes.
My passion for social impact pushed me to seek a programme that could empower me to create meaningful change. Hence why I enrolled on the Oxford MSc in Major Programme Management.
Choosing the right master’s degree
When I came across the MSc in Major Programme Management at Oxford, I was seeking more than just academic credentials. I first learned about the programme when I was exploring project management qualifications.
I wanted a programme that could help me move from a grassroots level to a position where I could influence broader systemic change. Oxford's programme stood out, not only because of its rich history of fostering social change, but also because of its emphasis on both foundational knowledge and the practical tools needed to make a difference in policy and governance.
I wanted to have the credibility to influence government projects and initiatives – to be the voice in the room that speaks for those who are often overlooked. The programme offered exactly what I needed: a path to understand how macro-level decisions impact lives on the ground.
I wanted to have the credibility to influence government projects and initiatives – to be the voice in the room that speaks for those who are often overlooked. The MMPM programme offered exactly what I needed.
My passion for creating social impact in India
My passion for social impact was ignited during my undergraduate university years in engineering when I had the opportunity to work on an entrepreneurship venture focused on domestic help. This project took me into the Indian slums, where I witnessed the harsh realities of life for millions of women who work as domestic helpers in India – women who often had little to no opportunity to shape their destinies. I saw first-hand the challenges of their lives: lack of opportunities, exploitation and the struggle for basic rights.
These women, often uneducated and coming from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, are exploited due to a lack of organisational support. It was a jarring realisation of my own privilege and the responsibility that came with it. I knew then that I wanted to dedicate myself to empowering these women and making a tangible difference in their lives.
Collaborating with NGOs to change lives
Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, I created a comprehensive database to link domestic workers to job opportunities based on their skills and experience. I documented details of hundreds of women across ten major slums in Bhopal, capturing their skill sets, work capabilities and family responsibilities to help match them with suitable jobs. Creating this database was not without its hurdles. It required extensive collaboration, and there were moments where progress seemed stagnant.
However, limited job opportunities for myself in my state forced me to move to other cities. I couldn’t ignore the necessity of financial stability, which meant I needed to develop a career in a stable sector, hence why I moved into investment banking.
As you can imagine, managing the project remotely became challenging. Recognising this, I partnered with a local NGO already supporting domestic workers, which allowed me to sustain the momentum of the initiative. The collaboration with NGOs proved pivotal, demonstrating the power of partnerships and keeping me connected to my mission, even as I pursued a demanding career in investment banking.
Recognising the need for digital empowerment
Since then I have worked extensively with NGOs such as Sangini, which supports over 25,000 domestic helpers. I’ve also contributed to initiatives by ANEW, focused on the digital empowerment of women from economically weaker areas by providing them with IT skills to improve their employment opportunities. The women I’ve worked with have shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity, and I’ve seen first-hand how digital empowerment initiatives are opening new doors for them. Lots of women are now getting jobs.
Over time, I began to see that digital empowerment held immense potential for these disadvantaged women. I strongly believe that access to digital tools and literacy could unlock new opportunities, and this belief drove me further. For my master’s thesis at Oxford, I partnered with the Ministry of IT to explore the digital transformation of public services. I got this opportunity because of my association with the University of Oxford.
Through this work, I focused on how digital solutions could bridge the gap between policy and the real challenges faced on the ground. I’m hopeful that this effort will eventually make a tangible difference for these women, providing them with the skills and resources they need to uplift themselves in a rapidly changing world.
Digital empowerment is the key to opening doors that have long been closed for these marginalised communities. My journey has been about striving to make a lasting impact, and I am more committed than ever to ensuring these women have the opportunities they deserve.
Digital empowerment is the key to opening doors for these marginalised communities. My journey has been about striving to make a lasting impact, and I am more committed than ever to ensuring these women have the opportunities they deserve.
The course was transformative
Studying the MSC in Major Programme Management has broadened my understanding of the complexities involved in policy development and governance. It has deepened my appreciation of the systemic challenges faced by marginalised communities, and has provided me with tools to address these issues effectively. I now feel confident in my ability to influence business and government policies and drive meaningful change. It has also equipped me to create meaningful impact in my career in investment banking.
My thesis has had a significant impact on both my personal and professional life. The frameworks I learned have been invaluable in my work, particularly in the social impact space. Understanding the gap between policy formulation and on-ground implementation is crucial, and I feel better equipped to address these challenges and make a lasting impact.
Also, the connections I’ve made at Oxford, particularly with professors who share my commitment to social impact, have been instrumental in helping me develop solutions. The diversity of the cohort, with representatives from various sectors and countries, has enriched my learning experience and continues to benefit me in all the work I do.
I now feel confident in my ability to influence business and government policies and drive meaningful change.
I’m feeling more empowered than ever
Despite professional challenges faced along the way, especially the struggles faced by NGOs in India and the difficulties of being a female in a leadership role, I feel more empowered than ever. India is changing, but the pace of change is slow, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. However, I firmly believe that with the right knowledge, skills and determination, it is possible for me to help create lasting change.
And finally…
In the end, my journey with the MSc in Major Programme Management has been about more than just acquiring skills – it’s been about using those skills to make a difference in the world. And that’s a journey I’m committed to for the long haul.
