“People Are More Often Willing to Connect and Have a Conversation Than You Might Think”

In our interview with Yashoda Gopi, she shares her journey from a PhD focused on memory rehabilitation after stroke to a lead research consultant at an executive search firm. Initially open-minded about career paths, through a process of elimination Yashoda realised academia was not the right fit long term. She advises starting the career exploration process early, attending relevant seminars, and connecting with people on LinkedIn. Yashoda values the variety of tasks and sectors she works with, though she notes the faster pace compared to academia. She continues to apply research skills like presenting information, taking feedback, and designing processes. Yashoda sees direct impact through placements, while staying connected to topics like education technology.