Monalisa Singh,
Founder, Hashtag Counselling
Could you
introduce yourself to our audience?
I’m Monalisa Singh – a full-time mother, a passionate writer, and the founder of Hashtag Counselling, a venture that’s close to my heart. With over two decades of experience in education and guidance, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and counseling more than 2500 students across various stages of their academic and personal journeys. I consider myself a listener first – someone who believes in empathy, rational thought, and the power of the right guidance at the right time.
Could you provide a brief overview of your venture Hashtag Counselling, their services, and what was the driving force behind it?
HashtagCounselling is a psychological and career counselling initiative designed to help students, parents, and professionals make informed, mindful choices. We offer scientific career fitment analysis, psychometric assessments, emotional well-being support, and individualized career mapping. The idea was born out of a personal realization — that many bright, capable individuals lose direction due to a lack of proper guidance. I wanted to create a safe, scientific, and empathetic space that bridges that gap.
Could you share your educational background, professional journey, and current role, including your key responsibilities?
I hold a Master’s in Psychology from IGNOU, a PG Diploma in HRM from Symbiosis Pune, and a Master’s in Commerce from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University. I’m also internationally certified in Career Counselling by the NCDA and trained in psychological counselling, emotional intelligence, and digital content writing.
I’m Monalisa Singh – a full-time mother, a passionate writer, and the founder of Hashtag Counselling, a venture that’s close to my heart. With over two decades of experience in education and guidance, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and counseling more than 2500 students across various stages of their academic and personal journeys. I consider myself a listener first – someone who believes in empathy, rational thought, and the power of the right guidance at the right time.
Could you provide a brief overview of your venture Hashtag Counselling, their services, and what was the driving force behind it?
HashtagCounselling is a psychological and career counselling initiative designed to help students, parents, and professionals make informed, mindful choices. We offer scientific career fitment analysis, psychometric assessments, emotional well-being support, and individualized career mapping. The idea was born out of a personal realization — that many bright, capable individuals lose direction due to a lack of proper guidance. I wanted to create a safe, scientific, and empathetic space that bridges that gap.
Could you share your educational background, professional journey, and current role, including your key responsibilities?
I hold a Master’s in Psychology from IGNOU, a PG Diploma in HRM from Symbiosis Pune, and a Master’s in Commerce from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla University. I’m also internationally certified in Career Counselling by the NCDA and trained in psychological counselling, emotional intelligence, and digital content writing.
Professionally, I began my journey in teaching and transitioned into full-time counselling. I’ve worked with educational institutions, NGOs, and government projects, including a UNICEF-supported initiative in Haryana. Today, as the founder of Hashtag Counselling, I design personalised counselling programs, lead workshops, and manage partnerships with schools and community groups. My role is a blend of psychologist, mentor, strategist, and lifelong learner.
What are your key areas of expertise, and what essential skills do you believe are crucial for effectiveness in your role as a psychologist and counsellor?
My core expertise lies in career counselling, psychological guidance, and emotional intelligence coaching. I specialize in helping students align their personalities and aspirations with the right educational and career choices and in supporting individuals struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, or lack of direction.
Crucial skills in this field include empathy, deep listening, non-judgmental thinking, and the ability to decode both spoken and unspoken concerns. Strong research capabilities, emotional resilience, and communication skills are essential to offer meaningful, practical guidance.
What are your future goals for Hashtag Counselling, and are there any new projects or initiatives that you're excited about?
Our next goal is to scale Hashtag Counselling beyond metro cities and reach underrepresented communities through partnerships with schools, NGOs, and digital platforms. We’re working on launching a student wellness platform that blends AI-assisted assessments with human counselling, making quality guidance accessible to more children.
I'm also in the early stages of developing a podcast series and video content on parenting, student mental health, and decision-making during academic transitions. These initiatives aim to make career and psychological counselling more mainstream and approachable.
As the founder of Hashtag Counselling, you’ve undoubtedly achieved a lot in your career. What would you consider to be your most significant achievement so far?
While there have been milestones, my proudest achievement is seeing students who once struggled with confidence now thrive in careers, they’re passionate about. One moment that stays with me is when a student from a financially challenged background, who once doubted their future, secured a scholarship to study in the Europe after following a path we mapped together.
Also, the recognition of my book Step Up Your Career Journey as a handbook among schools and parents reassures me that our approach is creating long-term value.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs to help them cope with the pressures of building a business and maintain their emotional well-being while pursuing their career goals?
Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster of emotions. My advice? Prioritize your mental health as much as your pitch decks. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. Practice mindfulness and be kind to yourself on the bad days — because there will be plenty.
Most importantly, build a purpose-driven business. When your work aligns with your values, it fuels resilience. Success isn’t just about growth charts – it’s about how fulfilled and balanced you feel at the end of each day.
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