Beyond The
Usual Path
"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore"
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- André Gide, French Author
Our Story.
Beyond The Usual Path began as a student-led initiative driven by an issue: many South Asian students grow up believing success can only be found through medicine, engineering, or technology pathways. This belief often limits students from discovering careers that truly match their skills and interests. Through extensive research it was understood what causes this challenge: institutional bias, cultural fears, and lack of career awareness.
To combat this third, most changeable factor limiting career exposure, a solution was launched: workshops that introduce students to diverse, fulfilling career options outside the usual pathways. By combining interaction, surveys, and real-world examples, each session helps students make informed decisions about their futures, and helps them see that success from passion can be feasible. This initiative has so far empowered hundreds of students in rural South Asia to explore their own paths.
Ankit Arun
​Founder & Workshop Leader
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Ankit Arun is an aspiring business major aiming to utilize technology and ideas to create real-world impact. A senior in high school, his interests follow a mix of long-term commitments, like karate and music, and creative projects from nonprofits to product-building.
Beyond The Usual Path is perhaps his most meaningful venture — a student-led initiative that challenges the overemphasis on medical and engineering careers through interactive workshops, surveys, and discussions. He finds passion in connecting with others, learning in the process, and turning ideas into positive action on a global-change.
Ankit Arun
ankit_arun1
Milestones & Journey
The idea for Beyond the Usual Path began with a deep dive into educational barriers in South Asia. During this phase, the focus was on understanding systemic issues and defining the research questions that would guide the project.
Concept Phase
December 2024
Data was collected through interviews with students, teachers, and parents, and additional research. These insights were drafted into a paper, highlighting the issue of limited career opportunities for South Asian students.
Research & Insights
January 2025
Based on research findings, an actionable solution was developed to address career awareness gaps: in-person workshops to spread career awareness and encourage independent exploration.
Solution Proposal
March 2025
Partnerships were established with schools, educators, and local organizations, ensuring logistical readiness for workshops. This phase focused on schedule planning and material preparation.
Networks & Preparation
April 2025
10 career awareness workshops were conducted across multiple rural South Asian schools, reaching 800+ students. Activities focused on introducing non-traditional careers and encouraging skill exploration, and surveys were conducted to test effectiveness.
BTUP Workshops
June 2025
500+ Physical surveys were transcribed into digital data, which was compiled, analyzed, and visualized to track workshop effectiveness and student context. Insights from this phase were documented in the research paper, with ideas for scaling and sustaining the initiative.
Documentation & Analysis
August 2025
The findings and materials were published online and shared with the broader educational community. This phase includes website development, public outreach, and digitally assisting workshop students with individual challenges.