We are Vishi and Paul, the founders of smartstep – a platform born from our belief that sharing experiences can help everyone find their own career path. We met at RWTH through a student initiative, and despite coming from different fields, we quickly bonded over our passion for exploring new ideas—whether it was in politics, music, education, or technology. During this time, we realized that people often have to invest a lot of time and money when navigating their academic or professional journey on their own. That’s when the idea hit us: a network of experienced graduates and professionals could provide the kind of guidance that saves you from taking unnecessary detours. After all, only those who have made it through a degree or training program truly know what challenges, obstacles, and alternative paths exist.

This realization inspired us to create smartstep—a platform for anyone who feels overwhelmed or frustrated by traditional academic counseling. Here, you can connect directly with people who’ve already walked the path you're about to take. With Smartstep, you can join as a big stepper to share your knowledge and help others, or as a Small Stepper to seek advice and support for your own journey. We’ve already established strong connections with top universities and training centers. The first introductory call is free—so why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose!