For many college students, the biggest challenge isn’t getting a degree, it’s figuring out what comes after. The path from classroom to career often feels unclear, especially for those outside top colleges or big cities.

In this conversation, Rakhi Pal, Co-Founder and COO of EventBeep, talks about how that gap pushed her to build a platform that goes beyond advice and focuses on outcomes. From starting as a student discussion space to becoming a career and hiring ecosystem, she explains what students are missing, how hiring is changing, and why starting early matters more than anything else.

Many college students feel confused about careers after graduation. What made you start EventBeep and focus on solving this problem?
When we started EventBeep, we were very close to the student ecosystem and could clearly see one recurring problem—confusion. Students were doing everything “right” on paper—getting degrees, attending classes—but still felt directionless when it came to careers. There was a huge gap between education and employability. That’s what pushed us to build something that doesn’t just inform students, but actively guides them and opens up real opportunities.

EventBeep began as a discussion platform for students. How did the idea evolve into a career and hiring ecosystem?
Yes, EventBeep started as a space for students to connect and share experiences. But as we grew, we realized conversations alone weren’t enough. Students didn’t just want to talk—they wanted outcomes. That’s when we evolved into a full-fledged career ecosystem—integrating mentorship, internships, hiring opportunities, and now AI-powered tools—so students can move from discussion to action.

Students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities often struggle to find the same opportunities as those in big cities. What are the biggest gaps you noticed, and how is Beep trying to fix them?
The biggest gaps are access, exposure, and networks. Students in smaller cities are equally talented but lack visibility and connections. At Beep, we’re solving this by creating a level playing field—bringing verified opportunities, mentors, and companies directly onto one platform. We ensure that where you come from doesn’t define where you can go.

You talk a lot about AI powered career acceleration. In simple terms, how does AI actually help a student find the right job or internship?
AI helps simplify and personalize the journey. Instead of students blindly applying everywhere, AI analyzes their profile, skills, and interests, and then recommends the most relevant opportunities. It also helps with resume building, interview prep, and identifying skill gaps—so students are not just applying more, but applying smarter.

Freshers often say getting the first job is the hardest step. From your experience, what mistakes do most students make while preparing for placements?
The biggest mistake is last-minute preparation. Many students wait until final year to get serious. Another common mistake is focusing only on theory and marks, while ignoring practical exposure like internships, projects, or communication skills. Placement preparation is not a 3-month sprint—it’s a 2-3 year journey.

Many students focus only on marks and degrees. What skills do companies actually look for today when hiring fresh graduates?
Today, companies value skills over scores. They look for problem-solving ability, communication, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Even basic professional skills—like how you present yourself, how you think, and how you approach challenges—matter a lot more than just academic performance.

How does EventBeep connect students with mentors, internships and real job opportunities?
We have built an integrated ecosystem where students can discover opportunities, connect with industry mentors, and directly apply for internships and jobs—all in one place. Our platform bridges the gap between students and companies by making hiring more accessible, transparent, and skill-focused.

Mental health and career pressure are big issues on campuses. Since Beep earlier focused on open student conversations, how important is emotional support while building a career?
It’s extremely important. Career pressure can be overwhelming, especially when students feel lost or left behind. One of our core beliefs is that no student should feel alone in their journey. That’s why we’ve always encouraged open conversations, peer support, and mentorship—because clarity and confidence often come from feeling understood.

If a second year college student joins EventBeep today, what kind of journey or support can they expect on the platform?
A second-year student can expect a very structured journey—starting from self-discovery, exploring career paths, building skills, getting mentorship, and gradually moving towards internships and job opportunities. The idea is to start early and build consistently, rather than rushing at the end.

From a hiring point of view, how are companies changing the way they recruit freshers today?
Companies are moving away from traditional resume-based hiring to skill-based and project-based evaluations. They’re using AI, assessments, and real-world tasks to identify talent. There’s also a growing focus on hiring from beyond Tier 1 colleges, which is a very positive shift.

What advice would you give to students from small towns who feel they are already behind compared to students from top colleges?
You are not behind—you just have a different starting point. Today, access to knowledge and opportunities is more democratized than ever. If you stay consistent, build skills, and use the right platforms, you can compete with anyone. Your college does not define your capability—your effort does.

Looking ahead, how do you see AI changing campus placements and fresher hiring in the next five years?
AI will make hiring more efficient, fair, and personalized. It will reduce biases, match candidates to roles more accurately, and help students prepare better. We’ll see fewer mass applications and more precise hiring—where the right candidate meets the right opportunity faster.

Finally, if you could give one simple career advice to every college student in India, what would it be?
Start early and stay consistent. Don’t wait for your final year to figure things out. Explore, experiment, and build skills alongside your degree—because your career is built over time, not decided in one placement season.