Here are some of our alumni who are now out there in the working world!
Advaith Suresh
Economics Honours undergraduate at the University of Warwick - graduated in 2020
Analyst at Deloitte India's Customer Strategy and Applied Division currently. Advaith trained with us for the World Scholar's Cup 2015 and they topped Regionals in Delhi, and did extremely well at Globals qualifying for Yale Tournament of Champions!
Advice to those heading to the University/work years, what would it be?
Have a clear plan with regard to what you want to do and achieve- not just from an academic and a professional perspective but also in terms of the things you'd like to do, places you'd like to visit, skills you'd want to pick up, relationships you want to build, etc.
Avanti Balachander
I'm currently working for a Justice Bamini in Delhi High Court. I think a lot of what I learned at A to Zee not only pushed me towards choosing Law as a career, but also in many ways prepared me for it. Working on debate, drama, elocution with Shaan aunty gave me a lot of confidence about my meager abilities- and that's a hard thing to find as a teenager. Initially we used to do everything under the sun-drama, debate, origami and even dance! But towards the end of my time with A to Zee, we started preparing for the Trinity Exams- I got my certification in Drama. It was possibly the most fun I ever had preparing for a test.
Advice to those heading to the University/work years, what would it be?
I think my advice, as counterintuitive as it may sound, is just to slow down a bit. It's not a moral failure to not know what you want to be for the rest of your life at the ripe age of 17. Enjoy your times in college, you don't have to participate in the rat race every single day!
Devanshi Agarwal
I did my undergrad in biochemistry at Ucla, and graduated earlier this year. I’m now working in biotech in San Francisco at a company called cytokinetics. Trained with A to Zee for World scholars Cup, as well as backstage for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2015 and Alice in wonderland 2016. My favorite part was definitely coming back as an intern to help with debate for WSC :)!
Advice to those heading to the University/work years, what would it be?
I would say that this is a transformative time both personality wise and work ethic wise. Be open and receptive to change. Also, it can be easy to get stuck to a certain track and expect to follow a plan but know that things rarely ever go to plan so don’t be afraid to try new things! Finally, try thinking about work-social life balance because in my experience, the balance you strike now determines your long term work ethic
Sameer Barretto
After school, I went to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (in the US) to study computer science. I graduated in April of 2021, and will be working at Hulu (Disney) as a software engineer! I was a part of the backstage crew for Charlie and the Chocolate factory and a couple other performances, I've participated in Debate classes, run MUN classes, was coached for the Trinity College Communications exam, and other things too!
Advice to those heading to the University/work years, what would it be?
(Generally US specific advice -->) You don't have to do all the crazy "world changing" things that people say you need to do to get into a good university. Be yourself, do things you're passionate about, and do them well. Keep your grades up, but everything else matters a lot more than you think. Don't do things only because you think (or someone tells you) you need to do this specific thing to get into college. It's far more effective to do something you're really passionate about, do it well, and do it for a long time. That shows commitment and helps you stand out from the people who're doing things for show.
Vidhan Bhaiya
Went to Northeastern to study Chemical Engineering as part of the University Scholars Program. Currently working on a startup called Dr. Brinsley which makes footwear for people with diabetes, and heading to Harvard for an MBA! Was with A to Zee Creativity for World Scholars Cup Training, did extremely well in Globals and went on to the Tournament of Champions at Yale. Has interned subsequently on the debate front.
Advice to those heading to the University/work years, what would it be?
Show up to stuff. God helps those who help themselves!