25+ Years Rooted in Higher Education.
Dr. Shikha Sharma founded Open Minds to give students space to question, explore and decide before commitments become permanent.
The Mind Behind Open Minds
An educational perspective honed through 25+ years in teaching, academic leadership, and admissions.
Teaching · Admissions · Leadership
Dr. Shikha Sharma
Founder & Principal Counsellor
Why I created Open Minds
For more than 25 years, my professional life has been rooted in higher education. I have taught students, worked in academic leadership and admissions, and spent years observing how education and career decisions are made.
Some students choose a course because it seems like the natural option. Some follow a path because it is expected of them. Others reach college without having had enough opportunity to think about what they actually want.
A question often emerges later: “Is this really the direction I want to take?”
— Dr. Shikha Sharma, Observations in Admissions & Campus LifeThat made me think about the stage before these decisions become commitments. Could students have more opportunity to understand themselves, explore possibilities and consider different routes while there is still room to question and reconsider?
That question led me towards career counselling. And that is why I created Open Minds.
Today, my work focuses on helping students and families navigate educational and career decisions with greater clarity. I do not see career counselling as a search for one perfect answer. I see it as a process of understanding, exploration and thoughtful choice. A career matters, but it is only one part of a joyful and fulfilling life.
What guides my work
Six principles that govern every conversation, assessment, and recommendation.
Start with the student.
The student’s experience, personal context, and unique perspective come first.
Look beyond marks.
Academic performance is important, but it is only one part of the picture.
Explore before deciding.
Good decisions need space for questions, research, and unbiased comparison.
Use assessment thoughtfully.
Assessment provides structured evidence; professional interpretation gives it context.
Make room for family.
Parents are essential participants in the educational journey and career dialogues.
Keep the future open.
Direction should provide clarity without unnecessarily closing future possibilities.
Professional Foundation
Rigorous academic leadership combined with accredited national and international certifications.
25+ years in higher education
Teaching, academic leadership, and undergraduate admissions.
Certified Career Counsellor
iDreamCareer
Standardized psychometric assessments and career guidance methodology.
International Career Training
Boston University
Global student development principles and academic pathways.
Convocation LegacyTeaching, Admissions & Leadership
Decades of direct observation of students navigating education choices revealed that genuine clarity comes from understanding the individual — not just listing colleges. Open Minds exists to provide that vital space for thoughtful exploration.