At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Monika Chauhan for an exclusive interview with us. Monika is an Educator, Career Counsellor, Parenting Coach and Co-Founder at Revanthem. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Monika:
What inspired you to co-founder RevAnthem, and what problem are you solving for students and parents today?
RevAnthem was not a sudden idea; it was a realisation that evolved over years of working closely with students and parents.
Along with Wing Commander Sonika, an Indian Air Force veteran, we shared a common concern and a vision to build something truly meaningful for today’s generation. Coming from different backgrounds but rooted in similar values, we both felt that something essential was missing in how children are being guided today.
We observed that students are not lacking intelligence—they are lacking clarity, confidence, and direction. At the same time, parents are deeply concerned, yet often unsure about how to guide their children in such a fast-changing world.
RevAnthem was born from this gap. Through our Warrior Mindset programs, we focus on building discipline, emotional strength, and self-awareness—because before choosing any path, a child needs to understand themselves.
We are not just solving academic challenges—we are addressing mindset, confidence, and decision-making, which are the real challenges today.
Because sometimes, the real gap is not in knowledge, but in clarity.
What is the biggest mistake students make when choosing their career paths?
The biggest mistake is choosing a career based on pressure, comparison, or limited awareness.
Many students follow what others are doing or what is considered “safe,” without truly understanding their own strengths or interests.
Decisions made in confusion often lead to dissatisfaction later. The focus needs to shift from:
“What is popular?” to “What is suitable for me?”
How do you help a student discover clarity when they feel completely confused or overwhelmed?
When a student feels confused, the first step is not giving answers; it is listening.
I help them slow down and reflect on three simple things:
> What they enjoy
> What they are good at
> What kind of life do they see for themselves
Through conversations and small reflections, clarity begins to build naturally.
I always tell them: You don’t need to have everything figured out—you just need the right direction to begin.
Because clarity is not found in one moment—it is built step by step.
How much do parents influence a child’s career decisions—and how should they ideally contribute?
Parents play a deeply influential role—often more than they realise.
Their words, expectations, and reactions shape a child’s thinking. The challenge arises when guidance turns into pressure.
Ideally, parents should be supporters, not decision-makers. They should guide, expose children to options, and most importantly, create a safe space where children feel heard and understood.
A child grows best when they feel understood, not judged.
What does “future-ready” really mean for students today?
Being future-ready is not about knowing everything—it is about being ready to learn, adapt, and grow.
In a constantly evolving world, students need more than marks. They need:
– Confidence
– Problem-solving ability
– Emotional strength
A future-ready student can handle uncertainty, learn new skills, and stay grounded through change. The future belongs not to those who know the most, but to those who can learn and adapt the fastest. We are not preparing students just for exams, but for life.
How do you balance passion and practicality in career guidance?
Career decisions should not be extreme, nor driven only by passion nor only by practicality.
Passion fuels motivation, while practicality provides direction. Both are essential.
I guide students to align their interests with real opportunities. Sometimes it’s about finding a middle path; sometimes it’s about building the right skills to make passion sustainable.
The goal is not just choosing a career, but choosing something they can grow with.
Can you share a transformation story that reflects your impact?
I worked with a student who had slowly stopped believing in himself.
He wasn’t failing academically, but constant comparison had led to self-doubt. He avoided participation and withdrew even from things he once enjoyed. His parents were concerned but unsure how to help.
I realised the issue wasn’t academics—it was confidence. So instead of focusing on performance, we worked on rebuilding belief through small, practical steps.
We began with simple actions—speaking a few lines, taking small responsibilities, and gradually facing situations he had avoided. Some days were difficult, but we kept progressing step by step.
Over time, something shifted. He started opening up, participating, and most importantly, trusting himself again.
One moment stayed with me—he raised his hand and shared his opinion on his own. It may seem small, but for him, it was a breakthrough.
Later, his parents said, “He has changed not just academically, but as a person.”
And that, to me, is real transformation—when a child starts believing in themselves again.
What are the top 3 skills every student must develop for the future?
Before skills, one mindset is critical:
Don’t fear failure—fear not trying again with the right direction.
Growth comes from trying, failing, learning, and trying again.
The three essential skills are:
a) Communication – expressing thoughts clearly and confidently
b) Critical thinking – understanding, questioning, and solving problems
c) Emotional strength – handling pressure and setbacks with resilience
These skills help students succeed not just in careers, but in life.
How can parents build trust and open communication with their children?
The key is listening—without judgment.
Many children stop sharing because they feel they will be corrected or compared. Parents must create a safe space for open conversations.
Regular communication—not just during results or decisions—builds trust.
When children feel heard, they become more open and responsible.
Sometimes, a listening parent guides more than a lecturing one.
One piece of advice for every student and parent?
For students: Don’t choose your path based on fear, pressure, or comparison. Take time to understand yourself—your strengths, interests, and what truly suits you. Clarity takes time, and that’s okay.
For parents: Your child needs your trust more than your expectations.
And one more important truth—Teenagers may not always ask for advice, and it may feel like they are not listening. But this is the phase when they need your patience, understanding, and presence the most.
Be someone they can come to without fear—not someone they feel judged by.
Because in the end, guidance works best when it comes with trust.
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.
