Innovative teaching methods make us keen to attend lectures, and be involved and attentive, says Ankita Kulkarni

I had a clear mindset as to what I want to become back when I was a 15-year-old girl. I was keen on learning more and explore the world with the books I read. So when I completed my Class 10 exams, I opted for Science and started preparing myself for the BHMS programme. After working for a while, I realised that I am interested in the corporate world and with the help of the IES Management College and Research Centre, a pioneering institute in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Management. But, it was not a cakewalk as it looks like now. I was quite conspicuous about the fact whether it is was the right choice or not. In order to bring clarity in my mind, I then asked my fellow colleagues and relatives and various other people who have adequate knowledge about this industry. I then looked online forums to understand how I can develop myself in this structure and based on that I took a thorough decision of joining this programme. In the end, my out-of-the-box approach excited me about this astounding management career rather than a clinical practice to excel in the future.

I am now convinced that I can put myself to best use for the upcoming challenges in the world.

I started my preparations to get admission into this college through ATMA 2019 and MHT-CET 2019 and I wanted to get here because I have read a lot of positive reviews about this place and I was convinced that here I can facilitate myself with some quality education as well as opportunities. I had to get along with Mathematics as I lost all connection with it after my Class 10 and because of that, the preparation phase was a contest of its own and I am glad that I came out with flying colours. While preparing for the entrance tests, I started reading and exploring the Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. Besides the pharma and healthcare domain, I started making myself aware of current affairs, social-political-economic issues through newspapers, and social media platforms. After the results were declared, I applied for IES MCRC. I got a call for GDPI round and aptitude test. I managed to clear all the rounds. After some days, I got a call from the college informing me that I was selected for the course.

After getting admitted to this college, I believe I have taken the right decision to transcend my career in the right direction.

It is not just about the study here, we are being made accustomed to meet the industry expectations standards and work ethics, which is pursued all the time and helps us get better with every coming step

The lectures in IES are interactive and the teaching faculty tries to surprise us either by some innovative teaching method,  which has only made us keen to attend the lectures and be involved and attentive. It is not just about the study here, we are being made accustomed to meet the industry expectations standards and work ethics, which is pursued all the time and helps us get better with every coming step. We are being given a plethora of opportunities to explore more with the help of Industrial Visits, Self-Learning Courses, and interactive seminars with industry giants which have helped us in innumerable ways to understand the clear concept and practices and the work culture. Our experienced faculty members have always tried to make us understand from the corporate angle so that we hone our skill sets accordingly. This naturally enhances the employability and confidence of an individual.

Along with all of this, we also have competitions to participate like debates and paper presentations, and events to manage. Students entirely on their own organise the mega event, INSIGHT which actually brings 300-400 budding, aspiring under-graduates, corporate guests, industry experts for day-long interactive sessions and intense competitions. INSIGHT provides learning in organizing, managing, executing and delivering the event. My moment of reckoning came when I compeered event which its the most important opening talk and later conducted the competition part which was carried out with great fun, excitement and energy to everybody's joy.

We also have mentors assigned to individual students, who guide us through the stumbles we face in the course and also broaden our horizons and enable us to meet challenges.

Future wise, I have now been made aware of so many new and intriguing things and being able to explore just a vast domain has made me keep my options open. Areas such as Market Research, Medico-marketing, Brand Management, and Advertising are something I wish to work in, before I assume a leadership position in the pharma and healthcare industry. I would certainly like to pursue PhD sometime later.

About the author:

Ankita Satish Kulkarni is a student of PGDM in Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Management at IES Management College and Research Centre. She has a holistic approach towards her life and dreams have motivated her to do things that are inexplicable, to begin with, and she feels great when she has achieved it at the end defying everything. Ankita also has a keen interest in dancing and painting.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha