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Your professional journey
I transitioned into international student recruitment after building a strong foundation in client service and operations at JP Morgan Chase, where I developed skills in stakeholder management and problem-solving. Driven by my passion for education and global exposure, I moved into a Regional Recruitment Manager role, where I now lead student outreach, partnerships, and recruitment strategy across international markets, particularly in India and South Asia.
Your local market expertise
The market is becoming increasingly value-driven and outcome-focused, with students prioritising return on investment, employability, and career outcomes over rankings alone. While the US continues to attract strong interest, particularly from India, rising competition from other destinations and changes in visa trends are influencing student decision-making.
India remains a high-potential growth market, with increasing demand for quality international education. Institutions that invest in localised engagement, strong partnerships, and clearly communicate career pathways and employability outcomes are better positioned to succeed.
However, visa uncertainty, evolving immigration policies, rising costs, and changing student preferences continue to create challenges, making students more cautious and selective in their choices.
Understanding students
Students typically begin their research through university websites, rankings, and platforms such as QS and US News, before seeking validation through peer reviews, alumni feedback, social media, education fairs, counsellors, and recruitment partners.
Their final decisions are usually influenced by programme fit, university reputation, location, affordability, scholarship availability, and long-term career outcomes such as internships, OPT opportunities, and graduate employment prospects.
The biggest concerns students face include cost, return on investment, visa uncertainty, and post-graduation job opportunities.
Personal strengths
Success in this role comes from a combination of relationship management, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Building trusted relationships with students, counsellors, and partners is essential to achieving long-term recruitment success.
Being data-driven and market-aware also helps identify trends, optimise strategies, and improve conversions, while strong communication skills and cultural awareness support effective engagement with diverse audiences.
Purpose and motivation
What I enjoy most is guiding students from uncertainty to clarity as they make one of the most important decisions of their lives. Helping them identify the right fit for their academic goals, career aspirations, and global exposure is incredibly rewarding.
I also value the opportunity to positively impact not only students, but also their families, by providing the guidance and confidence needed to make informed decisions.
Staying current and credible
I stay informed through a combination of industry resources, market engagement, and real-time insights. I regularly follow platforms such as ICEF Monitor, QS Insights, and NAFSA, alongside updates from university partners, to stay current on policy developments, visa trends, and student mobility patterns.
Ongoing engagement with students, counsellors, and agents, as well as participation in education fairs, webinars, and institutional meetings, also helps me stay closely aligned with evolving student expectations and market dynamics.
Personal dimension
Outside of work, I enjoy painting and engaging in creative activities with my seven-year-old daughter. It is a meaningful way for us to spend time together while exploring creativity, and it also helps me stay inspired and balanced outside of my professional life.