Ashish Thapliyal: It’s amazing how small interactions can shape your career in unexpected ways

Why did you choose Aalto for your education? 

I come from India, where I earned my undergraduate degree in computer science. After that, I worked for Nokia in Bangalore. At some point, I felt the need for a change and considered pursuing further studies. I applied to several universities abroad, particularly in Europe, because I was also looking for a cost-effective option.

Aalto University’s Radio Communication program in Communication Engineering program caught my attention, and I was excited to explore Finland. Just as I was preparing to move with my wife, Nokia gave me the opportunity to continue working while studying. I decided to take this challenge and relocated to Finland, balancing my work and studies. 

After completing my first master's, I was promoted to Product Management role and hence wanted to dive deeper into the world of management. I felt the need to understand leadership from an academic perspective, so I pursued a second master’s degree in Strategy at Aalto’s Department of Industrial Engineering and Management (DIEM). During my courses and particularly during my MSc thesis, what fascinated me the most was the contrast between what leaders were saying and what they were actually doing. This discrepancy sparked my interest in exploring human behavior, happiness, and well-being in my studies, ultimately leading me to pursue a third Master's degree in Behavioral Science at the London School of Economics, where I studied human behavior, happiness and well-being. Now, as a doctoral researcher at Aalto University, I am focused on further investigating these areas. 

How did IEM prepare you for your career and professional life? 

I am a Computer Science engineer working as a Product Manager. Before coming to Aalto, I didn’t know much about industrial engineering and management. But once I joined, I realized it was the perfect fit for me—a combination of technical and business knowledge. The program broadened my views on how to approach different problems from different perspectives and gave me new lenses to solve them. 

What really helped me was being able to apply what I learned directly at work. I was working full-time while studying, and the ability to immediately use the concepts from the classroom in real-life situations was invaluable. The professors were always available for discussions and guidance whenever I needed help, making my learning experience even richer.

When you think about the Prodeko guild, what comes to mind first? 

Since I was working full-time during my studies, I didn’t have the chance to get deeply involved with Prodeko, the guild of Industrial Engineering and Management, in the same way as many full-time students do. However, I’ve stayed connected with the Prodeko alumni community, which has been incredibly helpful. The alumni network is vast and rich, offering a great platform for networking and learning from others who have gone down similar paths. The regular newsletters and events have kept me informed and connected with what’s happening in the field. 

Can you share a memorable experience you had with a professor or course that had a significant impact on you? 

One course that really left an impact on me was a strategy process course taught by Professor Timo Vuori. During the course, we had in-depth discussions about decision-making and people strategy in multinational organizations. A particular paper which was a mandatory reading for the course by Professor Daniel Kahneman and Professor Gary Klein on human decision making was remarkable enough to push me further in studying human behavior and decision making. Years later, when I was considering pursuing a PhD, I reached out to Professor Vuori, referencing the paper from his class that had stuck with me. That connection ultimately led to my PhD opportunity at Aalto. It’s amazing how small interactions like that can shape your career in unexpected ways. 

What advice would you give to current and potential students? 

One thing that has helped me a lot is understanding that there is no one path that everyone has to follow for success. The world is complex, and there are countless opportunities you can take to make your life meaningful. Aalto offers a supportive environment where you can shape your career in countless ways. 

So, don’t get boxed into a narrow mindset—explore different possibilities, stay curious, and follow what interests you. Whether it’s in your studies, career, or life in general, remember that there’s always more than one way to achieve what you want. Embrace the complexity and be open to the different paths available to you.