Sunstone’s Educational Model is Based Around Students Getting their Dream Job, says Sunstone CBO

Ankur Jain has more than 12 years of demonstrated expertise in Sales, Marketing and Business Development. He has previously worked with Amazon, Airtel and YourStory and is the founder of HostelFund. Ankur’s exposure to the education industry makes him an ideal fit for taking charge of Sunstone’s growth and expansion as a Chief Business Officer. 

 

Q.1 How does Sunstone ensure that its curriculum is aligned with industry needs and trends?

The value and significance of education have evolved.  Relevant education goes beyond simply passing on information; it should also involve practical application and create better employment opportunities. In these fast-paced times, a college degree alone is insufficient. In a world that is changing quickly, leading businesses hire employees based on their skill sets rather than just their marks. They look for professionals who are prepared for new roles from their very first day.

We, at Sunstone, bring together the best of learning and industry practices to ensure that every student is transformed into a professional who is noticed by employers. We empower college students to meet the demands of the industry by complementing the traditional education model with a curriculum that is designed and delivered by recruiters. These modules also make use of the latest industry tools and techniques to help them acquire a well-honed set of skills that are tested on real projects and involve regular face-time with industry leaders. Additionally, to keep up with the changes taking place across the globe, we regularly update our curriculum and training modules. We ensure ample opportunities to practise what they learn and aid their holistic development by enhancing overall skills to help them stand out from the crowd and kickstart their dream career. We boost students’ chances of getting their dream job by helping them develop a professional portfolio which highlights their skills, experience and achievements. Sunstone is transforming India's future workforce, one student at a time, and we invite all students to take the first step towards their dream job with us!

Q.2 What support does Sunstone offer students and alumni in terms of networking and job placement?

Our Training & Placements Team helps students learn skills that are relevant to their desired careers through various soft skills training modules. We also offer training sessions before job placements, such as crash courses on professional skills, job interview training, and mock interviews, to help students succeed in their job interviews. Moreover, we provide opportunities for students to expand their network by exposing them to global platforms like the Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR) Asia Conference. In the 2022 edition of this event, we helped four students from small Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities initiate conversations with other international delegations.

Once students have acquired industry-oriented skills through our training, we connect them to our panel of over 1,200 recruiters located all over India. Our panel includes more than 250 MNCs and a large group of home-grown brands, which offer over 100 job roles in 50+ domains. We also offer a Placement Protection Plan, which ensures eligible students receive at least 50 job interviews to help them land their dream job. Finally, we have a pan-India alumni network that enables students to connect with their peers and alumni for guidance and job opportunities anytime.

Q.3 What is the success rate of Sunstone graduates in finding employment?

We are at 100% per cent, of course . Sunstone’s educational model is based around students getting their dream job, so we won’t compromise on anything less than 100% of our students getting placed.  As of now, the average salary obtained by our students is 5.1 LPA, while the highest salary earnt by a student across all of our offerings is 43 LPA. I hope that tells you a little about what we are doing here.

Q.4 How does Sunstone foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among its students?

In addition to providing customised training for budding entrepreneurs and focused guidance to groom new entrants to family businesses, Sunstone has also set up its very own incubation cell. Launchpad, our incubation cell, helps students with:

• Seed fund up to Rs. 10 Cr.
• Networking opportunities
• Investor Connect opportunities
• Shadow a startup CEO program
• Mentorship & industry immersion
• Business assistance and other services

Q.5 What unique features does Sunstone offer that may not be available at other institutions?

We offer:

• 70+ sessions by recruiters and industry experts
• Capstone projects every semester
• Professional Portfolio- making assistance to get noticed by recruiters
• Learning opportunities from expert guest faculty (ex-IIMs, IITs)
• 50+ guaranteed job interviews with Placement Protection Plan*
• 70% job opportunities in the top metros | 250+ job opportunities in MNCs
• Lifetime access to a pan-India student community
• Seed fund up to 10 Cr. with Incubation Cell for budding entrepreneurs

Q.6 How does Sunstone support its students in developing soft skills, such as communication and leadership, that are critical for success in the business world?

Ans. We understand the importance of developing skills that are relevant to the careers that our students aspire for. That's why we provide special training sessions to help students improve their soft skills, which are skills that are not directly related to a particular job but are important for success in any profession. These sessions include things like communication, teamwork, time management, and leadership skills.

Our training modules are customized according to the different programs we offer, and we provide more than 300 hours of training. The sessions are included in the curriculum, and we make sure that students have dedicated time slots for these sessions.

We believe that developing soft skills is crucial, and we also supplement our training modules with other activities that help students prepare for the professional world. We encourage students to take ownership, be accountable, and work with their peers through group projects and presentations. Additionally, we have student clubs such as Marketing, Coding, and Entrepreneurship clubs, which give students a taste of the professional world.

We also understand that many of our students come from small towns and cities, so we provide additional support to help them improve their communication skills. Speaking in English is mandatory during classes and other activities, which helps students build confidence in their ability to communicate effectively.

Q.7 Can you talk about any partnerships or collaborations Sunstone has with the industry, and how these partnerships benefit Sunstone students?

Ans. We incorporate input from industry leaders to ensure that students are taking actionable steps towards their dream careers. Through different Career Tracks, we partner with the industry to provide customised training to students, based on their aspirations. Some leading organisations that we work with are:

• NSDC and Wadhwani Foundation: Entrepreneurship training for budding startup founders and new entrants into family businesses
• YES Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank: Prepare for a career in leading MNCs and startups
• TCS iOn: Prepare for a bright career in the tech-led world
• Adda 247: Focussed guidance to ace government exams

Q.8 Finally, what advice would you give to students who are considering enrolling in a program with Sunstone?

Ans. To succeed, you need two important things. First, you need to have access to the right tools, and we're really good at providing those. Our success speaks for itself - we started with 150 students in 2019 and now we've helped over 5,000 students find their dream job. But there's another key factor that's just as important: your effort. Even with all the tools we provide, your hard work and dedication are what will make you successful. So, I encourage you to do your best always and stay on top of industry trends to stay ahead of the game.