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 Ria Jain for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Ria is a Career Counsellor, Founder and CEO of My Skill Counsellor. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Ria:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I grew up as the ‘good girl’ in a small town in Haryana — the one who followed the rules, stayed responsible, and held everyone together. But between the pages of Nandan, Champak, and Nancy Drew, I had begun my real journey into imagination, reflection, and voice.
Life unfolded — I studied English Literature and Mass Communication, got married young, paused many personal dreams, and lived through all the roles a woman carries silently. But something in me kept whispering — there’s more. Fifteen years later, I listened.
I returned to complete my MA in English. That one act of reclaiming myself reopened the doors I had once shut. From becoming a facilitator, storyteller, voice artist, to working with children at Teach For India, each step became a rediscovery of purpose.
Today, through My Skill Counsellor, I create spaces for young people to reflect, imagine, and choose their paths — something I wish someone had done for me when I was 17. This is not just my profession; it’s my reclamation.
How did you discover your passion?
It didn’t come in a lightning bolt. It came slowly, in whispers. In the quiet ache of unread books, in the joy of helping a child dream, in the courage of returning to a classroom after a 15-year pause.
I discovered my passion not in a corporate boardroom or a career aptitude test, but in story circles, school corridors, and one-on-one conversations where someone finally felt seen. Passion found me when I was ready to feel whole again.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What fuels me daily are the messages like, “Ria ma’am, your guidance made me believe I’m worthy of global education.” Knowing we’re building equity in learning, one soul at a time — that’s priceless.
I’m also rooted in my spiritual practices and community — moments of stillness, prayer, and solitude at home in Noida help me give my best every time. The little girl in me — who once found comfort in books — and the woman I’ve become — who chose to begin again — both keep me going.
What are the three most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
1) You can begin again. It’s never too late to come back to yourself.
2) Silences speak. Listen closely to your inner voice, to others’ hesitations, to what’s left unsaid.
3) Stories heal. Whether they’re told, written, or lived — stories have the power to bring us home to ourselves.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
To me, success is inner alignment — when who you are, what you do, and what you believe in all speak the same language. The keys?
a) Self-trust over self-doubt
b) Taking responsibility for your story — the beautiful and the broken parts
c) Patience, kindness, and an appetite for growth
d) And above all, the courage to live your truth — even when it’s messy or unpopular
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want a successful career?
Start with: What experience do you want to live?
Education is more than credentials — it’s transformation. Use tools like psychometric assessments and leadership bootcamps to understand yourself. Build a plan, yes, but stay open to detours — they often become the best parts of your journey.
Build your self-awareness before you build your résumé. Skills can be learned, but a grounded sense of self is your true foundation.
What about your journey makes it satisfying or exciting?
Every day, I step into my purpose: guiding a student from confusion to confidence, sometimes across continents. I get to witness breakthroughs in self-belief, watch interview prep turn into study-abroad offers, and celebrate scholarships unlocked. It’s not a job. It’s a movement — and I’m honoured to be one voice in that chorus.
What makes this journey exciting is the knowing that I get to walk with people at such a pivotal moment in their lives, when everything is open, uncertain, and possible. That’s where the magic is. And perhaps, the biggest joy? I now live a life I don’t need a vacation from. It’s not perfect — but it’s mine, fully.
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.
