Management students explore alternative career paths at CII Delhi Education Summit 2026

A delegation of 15 PGDM students from Apeejay School of Management (ASM), Dwarka, accompanied by two faculty members, attended the 9th CII Delhi Education Summit 2026, held at Hotel Le Méridien, New Delhi. Invited by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Delhi, the students participated in an insightful Masterclass that encouraged them to rethink conventional definitions of career success and explore opportunities beyond traditional professional pathways.

The summit, themed “Delhi 2030: Building the Global Knowledge Capital”, brought together prominent leaders from the education, industry and government sectors. It was inaugurated by Shri Ashish Sood, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi.

A key highlight for the ASM delegation was the Masterclass titled “The Road Not Taken – Redefining Success Beyond Conventional Career Paths”, held from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The session was addressed by Mr Neeraj Narang, Senior Director, Global HCM Product Strategy & APAC Lead, Oracle, along with other distinguished speakers.

The discussion explored three distinct career pathways available to management graduates. The first, the corporate path, highlighted the opportunities offered by established organisations through structured career progression, stability and continuous learning. The second, the startup path, focused on entrepreneurship, where individuals embrace higher risks, learn through failures and take on responsibilities at an early stage. The third, the exploring path, introduced students to alternative career options such as social entrepreneurship, freelancing and other non-traditional professions, where impact and independence are as important as financial rewards.

One of the strongest messages emerging from the session was the importance of becoming job creators rather than merely job seekers. Speakers emphasised that entrepreneurship is not restricted to establishing a company; it is fundamentally a mindset that involves identifying problems, taking ownership and developing solutions. They also highlighted that this approach is equally valuable within established corporate organisations.

The session further examined changing global business dynamics, evolving industries and the rapid pace of technological disruption. Speakers discussed how fear of risk, societal expectations and the attraction of secure career choices often prevent talented individuals from realising their full potential. Students were encouraged to challenge their comfort zones and recognise that choosing familiarity over growth can limit long-term opportunities.

The ASM delegation also had a notable presence during the interaction, with student Daksh Agarwal actively contributing to the discussion. He shared thoughtful perspectives on addressing real-world business challenges and demonstrated confidence, clarity and effective communication while engaging alongside the speakers.

The Masterclass offered several valuable takeaways for the participating students: success is not defined by a single career trajectory but should align with individual strengths, values and risk appetite. Developing a creator’s mindset, embracing adaptability and building confidence were identified as essential attributes for professional growth, irrespective of the career path chosen.

Upon completing the Masterclass, the participants received Certificates of Participation. ASM expressed its gratitude to CII Delhi for extending the invitation and providing its students with direct exposure to industry leaders and contemporary perspectives on the future of education and employment.

The experience reinforced the importance of experiential learning and encouraged future managers to approach their careers with an open mind, entrepreneurial thinking and the confidence to explore opportunities beyond conventional boundaries.