While Others Studied for Degrees, Shagun Built Campaigns, Companies and Change

 New Delhi : At an age when most students are focused solely on exams and degrees, Shagun Jain was already creating impact far beyond the classroom. From leading environmental campaigns in New Delhi to building successful ventures in Edinburgh, her journey has become an inspiring example of youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and social change.

Shagun’s story began while she was still in school in New Delhi. She co-founded “Stubble Trouble,” a campaign against stubble burning that gathered more than 3,500 signatures, reached the United Nations Youth Forum, and even supported a legal case in India’s Union Court. Long before stepping into university life, she had already stepped into activism and public leadership.

Her ambitions only grew stronger after moving to the University of Edinburgh. During an internship with a startup, she co-designed a report that helped secure the prestigious £30,000 Converge Award. Though she was an intern and not the founder, her contribution played a significant role in the victory.

Shagun also made a mark in the marketing world. At Mademoiselle Macaron, her campaigns resulted in an impressive 88 percent increase in sales and a 118 percent rise in revenue year-on-year. Over four years, she successfully worked across seven professional roles — from Creative Designer to Founder’s Associate and later Events and Marketing Officer at Enterprise Educators UK.

Beyond her professional achievements, she remained deeply involved in student leadership and social causes. As an executive committee member in more than five societies, she helped raise over £5,943 for charitable initiatives, organised campaigns and events, and earned recognition twice from the Student Association. She also received the Edinburgh Awards for Professional Development and Self Leadership.

Driven by her passion for sustainability and ethical living, Shagun launched “Unearth.ish,” a platform focused on fashion, veganism, and intersectional climate activism. She later founded “Conscious Collective Studio,” a branding course designed for photographers, freelancers, and creative professionals who want to communicate their values authentically. One participant described the course by saying, “I have taken six branding courses. This is the only one that made me feel like myself again.”

In 2025, Shagun graduated from the University of Edinburgh with First Class Honours. By then, however, her degree had become the quietest achievement in a long list of accomplishments that had already begun shaping lives and inspiring others.