Industry leaders introduce students to research-driven consulting, career pathways, and the evolving science of persuasion

Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication (AIMC) hosted Astrum, India’s first research-based strategic communications consulting firm, for a campus interaction and hiring initiative. The session was led by Mr. Ashwani Singla, Founding Managing Partner of Astrum, who engaged students in an in-depth discussion on how strategic communications help organisations navigate the complex landscape of reputation, risk, regulation, and ESG. 

The interaction was part of Astrum’s campus hiring visit, aimed at introducing students to career opportunities in research-driven consulting. Drawing from his extensive experience advising leading corporate and political leaders, Mr. Singla spoke about the evolution of public relations into a more insight-led, scientific discipline. He highlighted Astrum’s proprietary Science of Persuasion approach, which integrates data science, social science, and neuroscience to ethically understand and influence public opinion.

Mr. Singla also shared insights into Astrum’s workplace culture, emphasising ownership, accountability, and rigorous thinking as core values.

He outlined how careers at Astrum typically evolve, with young professionals gaining early responsibility, continuous learning, and exposure to high-impact assignments across corporate reputation management, public affairs, ESG consulting, and political strategy. 

Additionally, Ms. Sharada Adhikari Sharma, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Astrum, and Ms. Shruti Bangia, Specialist HR at Astrum were also present during the interaction session. Their presence underscored Astrum’s strong focus on research excellence and people-centric talent development as part of its recruitment process. 

The session provided AIMC students with valuable exposure to the realities of research-based strategic communications and a clearer understanding of career pathways in consulting, making it a meaningful engagement for aspiring communication professionals.