5 Questions with Aastha Chakrapani
Aastha is currently in her penultimate year at the University of Toronto’s Rotman Commerce program, specializing in Finance and Economics with a focus on Data Science and minoring in Environmental Economics.
She oversees the social media marketing team at Project Access, focusing on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok as the Social Media Marketing Manager. Driven by PA’s mission to break down barriers in higher education, Aastha first joined as a Growth Officer in May 2023.
1. How did you get into your current role at Project Access?
I started out in the Growth team as a Growth Officer back in 2023. However, just a couple of months later, the organization underwent some restructuring and the Growth team was dissolved. I really wanted to stay involved because Project Access’s mission resonated with me, so I reached out to Aakansha to discuss what might come next. We chatted about my studies and interests beyond school to figure out a role where I’d feel genuinely engaged.
Around that time, Project Access was ramping up its social media presence and starting a new team to manage its social media profiles, which immediately sparked my interest. I’d been creating art for over a decade before university, and this felt like a great chance to lean into my creative side, offering a refreshing break from numbers. I pitched the idea of joining the social media team to Aakansha, and she was fully supportive, letting me dive right in and roll with it.
2. What is your favourite part of PA?
My favourite part of Project Access has to be hearing about the success stories of our mentees! Even though I'm not directly involved in the mentoring process, knowing that the work we're doing is making a tangible impact on students’ lives is incredibly fulfilling. It’s a constant reminder that all of our collective efforts, whether it’s behind the scenes with marketing, outreach, or recruitment, all of it is leading to meaningful outcomes for these students.
“Knowing that the work we're doing is making a tangible impact on students’ lives is incredibly fulfilling.”
It's the kind of success that makes all the work worthwhile, and it fuels my drive to continue contributing to the organization’s mission of breaking down barriers to higher education.
3. What’s your favourite beverage?
“Well, back home in India, it’s got to be chai - nothing beats the magic of a perfectly brewed cup, served with a side of gossip (kidding, or not…).
But here? I’ve turned to iced vanilla lattes to keep me up and get me going (yes, I’ve become even more basic).”
4. Best study tip?
Treat studying like it’s a reality TV show: 25 minutes of intense focus, followed by a dramatic 5-minute break where you’re “not sure if you’ll come back.” Use those breaks to make questionable snack choices or do something fun (don’t scroll through memes, we all know that’s the point of no return).
The key is to convince yourself that every 25-minute session is a “final challenge” that could win you the grand prize: completion of your to-do list (and possibly a pop tart?). The breaks and treats are crucial, otherwise, how else can you justify your superhuman focus in those 25 minutes?
5. What are some core messages or values that motivate you to communicate Project Access’ story using social media?
One of the core messages that drives me is the idea that quality education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background. I love that Project Access works to break down barriers and open doors for students who might not otherwise have the resources or support to navigate the admissions process. Using social media, my team aims to put across this key message to show students from all over that higher education doesn’t have to be an exclusive path and that with a little bit of extra support, great things can be done. And what’s more inspiring than seeing students, who were once in their shoes, start at their dream universities? We lean on content and messaging we receive from past mentees and mentors to encourage students to take that first step to help create a world where passion & potential define a young person’s future.
Another value that fuels me (and I’m sure everyone at PA) is community - hundreds of people working toward a common goal, all for free. Through social media, I aim to make this community feel tangible and inviting, creating a space where students feel supported and encouraged. For me, it’s about creating relatable, inspiring content that shows that they’re not alone in this journey.
And when we design content, access is central to us (yes we are all about access, in more ways than one)! We focus on making it inclusive and easy to engage with for everyone, regardless of abilities or access to certain tools. This means using high-contrast colors and legible fonts so our visuals are clear to individuals with visual impairments, and simple language so it connects with anyone and everyone viewing it!