Prabhatk

PRABHAT KUMAR

My Story: From School to PhD Candidate

Finding My Wings at JNV

My educational journey started with a bang! Landing a full scholarship to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) was huge. Living away from home from 6th grade to 12th was a game-changer. It taught me independence, resilience, and how to survive dodgeball games (seriously, those were intense!). JNV also unlocked my leadership skills and introduced me to a whole world of extracurricular activities, including judo and kabaddi (think Indian wrestling meets tag).

A Bump in the Road, But Not the End

In 2015, after acing 12th grade, I snagged a spot in the five-years integrated management program at the Indian Institute of Management, Indore. Super exciting! Unfortunately, life threw a curveball, and I had to leave after the first semester. But you know what? It didn't stop me. I was still determined to keep learning.

University Adventures and UPSC Dreams

Fast forward to 2016, and I'm diving headfirst into the world of humanities at the University of Lucknow. This was a blast! I got involved in student politics, campus elections, and even explored my inner poet at Kavi Shala (poetry club!). These experiences pushed me to think critically, speak my mind, and see the world from different angles. Inspired by some awesome mentors, I even considered prepping for the UPSC exams – I guess they saw the determination burning bright!

From Theory to Reality: Bridging the Gap

After undergrad, I pursued a Master's in Development from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad. This opened my eyes to the real world of development, not just the theoretical stuff you learn in textbooks. That's why I jumped at the chance to work with the Healing Fields Foundation, where I got stuck into data analysis and research projects. It was here that I saw the huge gap between what's taught in universities and what actually happens on the ground. This sparked a mission in me: to bridge that gap and make things work better for everyone.

Deep Dives and New Experiences

I started at the NGO part-time, but after I finished my Master's in 2021, I went all in! I landed a Research Associate position at the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. Talk about research bootcamp! This role was amazing for honing my research and writing skills – basically, I learned how to dig deep and tell a good story with data.

Always up for a challenge, I took a unique opportunity in 2022 with Inclusive Minds, a leading political consultancy firm. Here, I got to work alongside Mr. Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. It was an intense but incredibly rewarding experience. While it solidified my love for research and academia, it also gave me a taste of the dynamic world of political consulting.

Researcher at IIT Kanpur

2023 marked the official start of my research journey. As a Research Associate at IIT Kanpur on an ICSSR-funded project in the Dept of Industrial and Management Engineering, I was knee-deep in research writing, field visits, and data analysis. This immersive experience solidified my passion for research – I'm hooked!

The PhD Adventure Begins!

Here we are in 2024, and I'm starting a whole new chapter: my PhD! Every step of my education and every professional experience has led me to this moment. I'm excited to use all the knowledge and skills I've picked up along the way to make a real contribution to the world of research.

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