Richa Sharma Interview
From winning state shooting medals and spending four intense years in UPSC preparation to qualifying UGC-NET and mentoring thousands of students online, Richa Sharma has transformed her personal setbacks into a powerful roadmap for youth. In this candid conversation, she reveals how sports built her resilience under pressure, why failure is never the end of a journey, and how practical guidance can demystify academic uncertainty.
Q. You have explored several different paths, from being a state-level sportsperson to UPSC preparation, academics, and eventually career guidance. Could you take us through the journey and the experiences that shaped the person you are today?
My journey might seem unconventional to many because it does not follow a straight path. But when I look back, I realize that every phase of my life taught me something distinct about discipline, resilience, and, most importantly, about myself.
When I was pursuing my graduation at the University of Delhi, I wanted to become a sportsperson. I explored different sports, including karate, taekwondo, and shooting, before finding my passion in 10-meter air pistol shooting. I trained seriously, competed across various levels, and was fortunate to win a silver medal at the Uttar Pradesh State Shooting Championship. Sports introduced me to discipline and taught me how to handle pressure. Competing at the state level also showed me that consistency matters just as much as talent.
Then COVID happened. I returned home, and with shooting ranges closed, I could no longer train. At the same time, I completed my graduation and had to think about what to pursue next from home. My academic background and a desire to contribute to the country motivated me to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
I spent around four years preparing for UPSC and made three attempts. Although I could not clear the examination, those years were far from wasted. The preparation gave me a solid foundation in understanding society, governance, international affairs, and current issues. More importantly, it taught me how to deal with uncertainty, accept setbacks, and keep moving forward when things do not go according to plan.
After almost four years away from formal academics, returning to university for my Master's in International Relations and Peace Studies at Nalanda University became a major turning point. It helped me reconnect with research and gave me the confidence to see myself beyond a single examination or career path. I entered the program with a clear vision: I did not want to leave after two years feeling that I had simply completed another degree. I wanted to make those two years count. I set out to build myself academically, explore research, qualify UGC-NET, and create opportunities beyond what I had previously imagined.
With consistency and grace, I completed my Master's in two years, qualified UGC-NET in Political Science, and built my content creation journey simultaneously. I see qualifying NET not as a random success, but as something I consciously visualised and worked towards. During this phase, I also explored research through internships, academic writing, and my dissertation, which deepened my interest in international relations, geopolitics, and public policy.
Today, through career guidance and content creation, I help students navigate the uncertainty I once experienced myself. I understand what it feels like to be unsure about the next step, to face setbacks, and to question whether you are on the right path. That personal background is why I share practical guidance rather than just superficial success stories. Looking back, I do not see my journey as a series of unrelated choices, sports, UPSC preparation, academics, research, and career guidance have all shaped who I am. Success is not always about following a straight path; sometimes, it is about having the courage to redefine your path when circumstances change.
Q. Having experienced competitive shooting yourself, what lessons from sports have stayed with you and continue to influence the way you approach challenges today?
Competitive shooting taught me lessons that continue to influence every challenge I take on today. The first and most important is consistency. In shooting, you cannot expect one perfect shot to make up for poor preparation. Your performance depends on showing up, practicing regularly, and repeating the process under pressure. I have carried that mindset into academics, research, and content creation, focusing less on a single result and more on whether I am consistently doing the work.
The second lesson is managing pressure. In shooting, even a minor loss of concentration affects your performance. You learn that while you cannot control everything around you, you can control your preparation, your focus, and your response. That perspective has anchored me through competitive exams, interviews, and uncertain situations.
Sports also taught me to separate performance from identity. Winning a medal feels great, but losing a competition does not make you incapable. Similarly, not clearing an examination or facing a setback does not define your potential. It is vital to objectively evaluate what went wrong, learn from it, and return to the process.
Finally, shooting taught me patience. You cannot rush the process; you must trust your training and stay composed even when results are not immediately visible. Whether I am preparing for an exam, conducting research, building my career, or creating content, I rely on these same principles: prepare well, stay consistent, manage what is within control, and never let a single outcome define the journey.
Q. UPSC preparation is a demanding journey that requires long-term consistency and patience. What did that experience teach you about handling uncertainty and making decisions about your future?
UPSC preparation taught me that uncertainty is not always something you can eliminate; sometimes, you must learn how to make decisions despite it.
When I started preparing, I lacked proper direction. After two or three years, I realized I had started with incorrect guidance, focusing on details that were not exam-relevant and trying to become a subject expert rather than focusing on clearing the exam. Simultaneously, there was the pressure of seeing peers move ahead, financial dependence on my parents, and the worry of a four-year gap on my resume.
After my third attempt, I was exhausted and deeply confused. Having given four years of my life to UPSC, I had to accept that this path was not working. I chose not to keep repeating the cycle simply because of the sunk-cost fallacy. That realization pushed me to pursue my Master's at Nalanda University with clear intent. I planned to prepare for UGC-NET alongside my studies, engage in research, gain practical experience, and build something of my own.
The first six months at Nalanda were tough because UPSC still felt like a personal failure. However, as I performed well academically, ranked among the top students, completed internships, presented research papers, and began creating content, I realized that not clearing UPSC did not mean I had failed in life. It was simply one path that did not work out.
That experience changed how I make decisions today. I no longer choose options just to impress others or because I have already invested time in them. I focus on what genuinely fits me, plan thoughtfully, take calculated risks, and keep moving forward rather than staying stuck in one definition of success. The preparation also gave me a foundational understanding of our country, Constitution, history, geography, politics, and society. When I face uncertainty now, I view it as an opportunity to learn, reassess, and consciously choose my next direction.
Q. After exploring different academic and professional paths, you found your space in education and career guidance. What made you realize that helping students was something you wanted to pursue?
It was not a single moment, but a gradual transition deeply connected to my own journey. When I started creating content, my goal was simple: having made mistakes during my UPSC preparation due to a lack of proper guidance, I wanted to save other students from the same confusion. When I prepared for and qualified UGC-NET, I began sharing my strategies, resources, mistakes, and insights.
Initially, I thought I was just sharing information, but students soon began reaching out with detailed questions about UGC-NET preparation, career gaps, PhD admissions, research proposals, and subject choices. Many of these questions mirrored my past struggles. I also recognized that not every student can afford expensive coaching or private mentorship; many simply need practical guidance grounded in genuine experience.
A defining moment occurred during the June 2026 UGC-NET examination cycle. I shared concise revision notes with students prior to the exam. After the results, I received numerous messages from students saying they cleared JRF or NET using those resources. Knowing that something created from my personal experience made a tangible impact on someone else's life was incredibly motivating.
I found my place in career guidance because my own journey showed me the value of right direction, and my students showed me I could provide it. I genuinely enjoy making someone else's path a little clearer than mine was.
Q. Through your platform, you create content around UPSC, UGC NET, research, and higher education. How do you find what students genuinely need to know, and what do you hope they take away from your content?
I stay closely connected to student struggles by actively listening to their questions. The daily messages I receive highlight recurring challenges, whether about exam prep, PhD admissions, course selection, or handling gap years. When a specific query comes up repeatedly, I address it publicly through my content to reach a wider audience.
My goal is to provide practical, realistic takeaways rather than short-lived motivation. I want students to gain actionable strategies, resources, or decision-making frameworks they can implement immediately.
I consistently emphasize that competitive examinations have two possible outcomes: you either clear them, or you do not. You must be prepared for both. Students should not put their lives on hold for a single exam or let one result dictate their future. I encourage keeping options open, pursuing a degree, an internship, research, or a new skill alongside exam preparation. This creates a healthier environment and builds long-term security. Whether applying for PhDs or exploring job opportunities, expanding your options ensures you keep learning and moving forward regardless of the outcome.
Q. To end on a lighter note, when you step away from academics, career guidance, and content creation, what is something you genuinely enjoy doing? And is there a book, film, series, or story you would recommend to our readers?
When I step away from work, I naturally return to sports. Playing badminton, going for a run, or attending a yoga session helps me recharge. Running is especially effective for clearing my head after an overwhelming day. I also enjoy exploring new places in Delhi, whether a new cafe, a different neighborhood, or a quiet spot. Exploration and learning remain constants in my life.
For a reading recommendation, I suggest a short but impactful book: Fear Not, Be Strong: Vivekananda's Message of Strength and Fearlessness by Swami Tathagatananda. At around 60 pages, it is an accessible read that I revisit whenever I feel stressed or uncertain. It grounds me in the simple idea that fear should never stop us from moving forward.
Bio
Richa Sharma is a digital creator, career mentor, and academic professional dedicated to helping students navigate critical education and career decisions. A former state-level shooter and UGC-NET qualified scholar in Political Science, she simplifies complex topics surrounding UGC-NET preparation, UPSC insights, research methodologies, and higher education roadmaps. Through her platform, Richa provides practical resources and honest guidance to empower young graduates to build resilient, multi-dimensional career paths.
Interviewed By Ritika Tawar
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