Surbhi Dewra, founder and CEO of CareerGuide.com, has spent over a decade transforming the way India thinks about career choices. Since 2011, her platform has reached over five million students annually, bridging the gap between aspiration and informed decision-making. Recognized by BW’s 40 Under 40 and celebrated globally as an EdTech leader, Dewra’s work continues to push boundaries in personalized guidance, technological innovation, and inclusive education.

The Social Digest: You started CareerGuide.com back in 2011 to help young people make better career choices and now you connect with over 5 million students every year. Over the past decade, what major changes in what students need and in technology have shaped how your platform has grown?

When I launched CareerGuide.com in 2011, most families in India hadn’t even heard of career counseling. But I could already sense a quiet crisis: millions of students choosing their paths blindly, often out of fear, pressure, or simply not knowing their options. Over time, two big shifts stood out. First, what students aspire to has changed they’re now dreaming beyond just engineering or medicine; they want passion, purpose, and relevance on a global level.

Second, technology has become a huge help—things like mobile-friendly platforms, AI-driven psychological tests, and online counseling have allowed us to reach more students without losing the personal touch. But the biggest change is cultural: parents today are more likely to ask, “What’s the right path for my child?” instead of “What’s the safest job?” That shift in mindset is where the real revolution is happening.

The Social Digest: How did these awards shape your sense of responsibility and strengthen your mission?

Every award is a reminder not just of what I’ve achieved, but of what I still need to do. Being named in BW’s 40 Under 40 and the Global EdTech list wasn’t just a badge of honor; it felt like a call to action. It showed me that people are paying attention. And if you have a platform, you need to use it mindfully. These recognitions have made me more committed to building an education system that’s fair, accessible, and caring where anyone, no matter where they come from, can have a real shot at success.

The Social Digest: When did you realize that your true calling was in career counseling?

I was working on the chipset, a pretty exciting role, no doubt. But I started feeling something was missing. I was helping shape the future of technology but wasn’t really helping people make their own futures.

The moment that changed everything was when I saw smart, talented students around me unsure about which path to take not because they lack intelligence, but because they lacked guidance. That stayed with me. I understood then that my real purpose wasn’t in making devices it was in helping people make smarter life choices.

The Social Digest: What gaps have you noticed in the education system, and what change do you hope to see across schools nationwide?

Our education system has always focused on what students should learn, but rarely on why they’re learning it. Through my work with the Ministry of Education, I’ve identified three urgent issues: 1. Career guidance isn’t built into the system it’s usually seen as optional. 2. Teachers are trained in academics but aren’t prepared to guide students about life choices. 3. Success is judged mainly on grades, not on whether students are happy or fulfilled.

What I want to see is every school having a proper, structured career guidance program. My dream is a future where no student says, “I didn’t know my options.” We need scalable, certified guidance programs embedded into the curriculum this should be standard, not a luxury.

The Social Digest: CareerGuide reaches millions how do you keep personal touch and maximize impact?

We’ve built our approach to balance technology and human connection. AI helps us analyze data quickly, but it’s empathy that guides the real advice. Our psychometric tools help decode abilities, but it’s the counselor who understands what those scores really mean emotionally.

Every student is seen as an individual story, not just a number. We’re not trying to replace humans with machines; we want to ask better questions even if they’re complicated. That’s where true personalization happens.

The Social Digest: How did COVID change your organization’s approach for good?

COVID made us realize that guidance shouldn’t be limited by geography. We quickly shifted to online platforms within two days and expanded our workshops digitally. During the pandemic, we reached over 25,000 new learners. More importantly, it taught us to act fast. Since then, we’ve adopted a digital-first, local-first approach. Career guidance needs to be accessible anytime, anywhere, directly on students’ devices.

The Social Digest: What are the biggest challenges women face in EdTech, and how 

Women in education tech and entrepreneurship still face bias sometimes subtle, sometimes widespread. Whether it’s less representation, fewer funding options, or lack of mentors, the path is tougher. At CareerGuide, we practice what we preach: over 40% of our team are women no quotas, just merit.

We’ve built a culture that encourages flexibility, openness, and psychological safety. My hope is that women don’t have to choose between being ambitious and staying true to themselves they should be able to chase both at once.

The Social Digest: When you speak at events with teachers, parents, and students, what themes keep coming up?

Some ideas are timeless: Clarity, Anxiety, Aspiration. Educators want relevance, parents seek reassurance, and students look for purpose. I often tell audiences, “Your career isn’t just a job it’s a journey of discovering who you are.”

Most systems focus on what students should become; I prefer asking, “Who do you want to be?” The answers surprise even the students sometimes, and that’s where deep learning begins.

The Social Digest: How do you find the right balance between technology and human connection?

Tech gives us the ability to reach many students quickly and provide insights. But empathy, that’s something only humans can do. Our AI helps us understand students’ preferences, but only a human counselor can pick up on their doubts or hesitations. The key is blending AI with mindful listening. Think of data as a helpful map, but the direction always comes from a person.

The Social Digest: What innovations do you think will help expand CareerGuide’s impact by 2030?

By then, I see CareerGuide as the go-to mentor for students everywhere India and beyond. Some ideas we’re working on: 1. AI-guides available in all major languages, 24/7. 2. Virtual reality career simulations, so students can experience professions firsthand. 3. Blockchain-based portfolios to display skills lifelong. 4. Connecting students directly with international universities from a young age

But more than gadgets and tools, I hope the culture shifts so every child feels seen, heard, and supported.Because when young people find careers that truly match who they are, we’re not just creating workers we’re creating peace, progress, and a better future.

This interview was conducted by Manav Vala from The Social Digest on 30/06/2025. If you have any interview recommendations or have a story that you want to share with our readers, get in touch with our editor Vedant Bhrambhatt, at editor@thesocialdigest.com