I Found Confidence Through My Specialized MBA Degree & Got A Job

Divya took up Healthcare Management as her preferred choice, when it came to taking a decision on which course she would like to take up from WeSchool. A decision that a lot of aspirants can’t take easily. Whether to opt for a specialized MBA or go for a general one! For Divya, the decision was a bit easier, as she followed her interest and passion. Joining Glenmark, a leading pharmaceutical company in August, Divya spilled the beans of her success and the role of her B-school to make her a confident individual who is ready to take on challenges head on. This is the excerpt of the interview:

How did a Microbiology student decide on doing an MBA? What was the thought that you had put behind this decision and why WeSchool?
Studying Microbiology was fun but when it came to questioning whether I would be happy doing a lab job, I felt the need to gather my thoughts and get into a field where I get to make decisions. While talking to my friends and cousins, I leaned towards management studies. But, before roping myself in, I did a couple of internships and dug further into an MBA. When I came across a course in Healthcare Management by Welingkar Institute, I was intrigued, as healthcare has always fascinated me. Some research about the institute and faculty sealed the deal for me.

Healthcare has lately been a priority and is on top of the minds of every individual. How do you think your degree at such a crucial time will help you get into the desired fields?
A crucial period like this has shown to the masses that healthcare should have been a priority for the betterment of everybody in all aspects. I did not really understand this industry enough until I did my MBA focused on this field. A degree like this at such a crucial time has helped me move beyond classroom knowledge. At WeSchool, when we chose to do MBA in healthcare management, we have two specialisations- Hospital Management and Pharmaceutical & Life Science Management. I picked the latter with the help of my mentors at the college and my exposure to working on projects in both segments. I later aligned my activities and research to be a fit to enter the Pharmaceutical industry that is looking at a boom currently.

Tell us a bit about the academic pedagogy at WeSchool and what are some of the major learning from the b-school that you feel would be of utmost importance in your career going forward?
From school to graduating college, we’ve been taught in a very theoretical method. Being a science student, I have spent my days hiding in the library and finding answers - the nature’s way. Everything can’t be explained in a laboratory, can it!
When I entered Welingkar Institute, we were being taught new concepts every day and regular assignments pushed us to connect with the market, instead just relying on books. So I’d say the pedagogy at WeSchool could be defined as ‘If you learned it in the classroom, make real-world evidence out of it.’

The healthcare marketing experience came for the first time for you while you worked as an intern with Dr. Vaidya’s New Age Ayurveda, as part of your summer internship experience. Did your perception of influencer and content marketing change during this time?
It did not change my perspective towards marketing since my college had already done that part in the first year through umpteen projects and assignments. But it did bring a shift in me. I’ve always leaned towards reading and writing and getting to know people through stories. But I have never been confident of my skills. During this internship period, I realised that I could make an impact in an organisation with my skills. I even ended up with the ‘Best Intern’ Award. So this internship definitely helped fix a missing part in me: confidence.

Tell us a bit about the final placement at WeSchool? What kind of companies hired this year and how was your overall experience?
In our final placements, the college provides us with brilliant profiles and companies that can harness the growth that WeSchool has seeded in us. Before the placement period kicks in, we are asked about our interest and the kind of companies and profiles we would like to get into. They pool in our interests before bringing in the companies on board.
So this year, despite it being a challenging year, our batch of 2021 saw excellent placement numbers. We had some of the top consulting firms with excellent profiles and brilliant start-ups as well picking up students.

How does the institute help in preparing students for the placement process, so that you put your best foot forward?
In our first trimester itself, there is a subject that is taught by our Group Director, which I think played a crucial part in ensuring that we become ethical business women and men. In our first year, we had a subject focusing on technology and its use cases that was taught by leaders who specialised in those particular technical aspects.
We even have a Global Leadership Project, where we work in a group as consultants for a particular company that is facing a particular business problem. So when you sum up all this, you will emerge as a person who is ready to face the VUCA world.

You are going to join Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, one of the pharma majors in the country. What are the day to day roles and responsibilities you are expecting to handle?
I would be first going through my training period. Being a marketer, it is important to study and know your customer. So during this phase, I would be on the field to know the ground reality. This discovery along with research will lead me to pain points of the present and future. I will be expected to come up with business plans that would further harness the product’s P&L. I would also be expected to guide and coordinate with the sales team.

Looking back, how would you describe your decision to opt for a B-school degree from WeSchool? How do you think these specialized MBA degrees can help professionals interested in a specific field to find their desired career choices?
On my day of GD and PI for admissions at WeSchool, I interacted with a few senior students. They asked me about my first course preference. They were surprised to hear my first choice being Healthcare Management instead of PGDM Core.
I think a lot of students take their career choices based on trends and follow the herd. I am in no way saying a core management program is not suitable for you. But every individual is unique. So before choosing higher education there are two things we must all check- your passion and your experience.
This will land you on the course that is best suited to you. Once you follow your passion, you will get the opportunity to make a desired career choice. Being a part of WeSchool has definitely been a game changer for me.

What next for Divya? Any message for healthcare enthusiasts like you, looking to pursue a management career?
There is just so much to learn. A career in business management is so much more than just looking at the return on investment. The global market has just started to realise the significance of the healthcare industry. A career in healthcare management through a specialised degree is a ship that you should sail if you’re a healthcare enthusiast, especially now.
If nothing, one must always rely on intuition rather than trends, before making a big move.

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