Mystory@Shivani Sharma: How I made my career- the challenges and successes

As a girl child, I was never encouraged to think independently. I was always dominated by my parents though not in a negative way. I was hardly independent despite the fact that I was born on 15th August – the Indian Independence Day! My school was chosen by my parents on the basis of whatever suited their pockets. When I was in the 11th standard, I had to choose my subjects but was not allowed to do so as my father chose them for me. Naturally, I could never flourish in my studies as I was not doing something which I wanted to do. Later, I completed my Master’s programme but I wasn’t satisfied still. I felt as if something, somewhere was missing and I continued to feel this.

Then, my dad insisted that I take up IAS coaching and I started to do that too, again, against my wishes. Somewhere, I was trying to fulfill my father’s dreams instead of my own. Then in 2012, miraculously, my mother insisted me to pursue further studies as she was not appreciative of the fact that I was just sitting at home attending tuitions. She believed that I had the drive to achieve much more. She encouraged me to take the law entrance at PU Chandigarh and I took it up. I studied only for a week and cleared the exam! At first, I was reluctant to take admission but then I was backed by both my parents and eventually took it up.  

Deep in my heart, I always had this desire of studying Law but never shared it with anyone for the fear of how people would react, particularly people with a narrow mindset. "Ladki law karegi to shaadi nahi hogi!" Sometimes I wonder why getting married holds such importance, especially in India! Anyway, I took admission in a law course and felt my life changing. I started enjoying my books, classes and studies. I got to learn a lot from my teachers and eventually stood as the topper in the LLB course at my college. That was when I realized that life becomes a cakewalk when we do things that interest us.

Now, I am pursuing LLM at PU and I know I have a bright future waiting for me. I admit that it all happened when I started taking my own decisions and realized the importance of independent thinking. Here, I sincerely want to thank my department and teachers who always stood by me and encouraged me in whatever I wanted to undertake. Today, my dad is proud of me. I am not being dominated like before and my thoughts are given equal importance. In the end, I would say that where there is a will, there is a way. Will is the most important aspect lacking which, you will never be able to achieve what you want to.

I was quite lost when I was in my 11th class and had to choose subjects my parents wanted me to and not the ones I wanted to study. Like everyone else’s, my family played a major role in deciding the subjects I took up. Compelled, I had to take up the non-medical stream but found myself the least interested in the subjects and naturally, couldn’t flourish in the field. Later, I changed my stream to Arts but I always knew that I wanted to pursue Law. I started believing in miracles when my mother told me that I had a long way to go and encouraged me to pursue (LLB) Law even after I had completed my Master’s degree. She made me realize that there is no end to learning and education and that is how I could choose my path of success. Today, I am the happiest person as I have multiple options of taking ahead my career. I can opt to join a multinational organization, pursue PhD, appear for judicial service or any other competitive exam or even become a researcher. Well, for now, I am pursuing LLM and plan to take up PhD in future.

About the Author

Shivani Sharma has completed her LLB from PU Chandigarh and is presently pursing LLM. She loves to read and write. She has worked for magazines and as a freelance writer too.