Studying GIM's HCM course opened vast arenas for me within the healthcare sector, says Akshata Shenoy

I am Akshata Shenoy, currently pursuing PGDM HCM programme at GIM - Goa Institute of Management. Since middle school, I had the dream of pursuing Medicine as my career; however, I couldn't get an MBBS seat. I opted for a course in paramedical technology in Seth G S Medical College fearing a gap year in studies would not be good. However, after my graduation, I realised there were not many job opportunities available for me. But the passion that I had to work in the Healthcare field was still present. Therefore, I decided to pursue management in healthcare for higher studies.

After my graduation, I realised there were not many job opportunities available for me. But the passion that I had to work in the Healthcare field was still present. Therefore, I decided to pursue management in healthcare for higher studies.

I did all my research and came to know that PGDM HCM is a niche programme offered by GIM and one of the best in the country. What attracted me to GIM's HCM programme was a unique programme design and pedagogy. The extremely well-qualified faculty with experience from various strata of the healthcare sector was like a cherry on the cake. I did not stop at online research; I actually made a trip to Goa and visited the campus to make a more informed decision. I was welcomed at GIM, even though I wasn't a student at that time. The office staff directed me to the HCM programme chair Professor Arif Raza, who made time from his busy schedule to explain to me the uniqueness of the programme and answer all my questions. As I left his office convinced that the HCM programme is exactly what would shape my career in the right direction, I looked at the beautiful campus amidst the Sahyadri mountains and I just knew this was the right place to be.

What attracted me to GIM's HCM programme was a unique programme design and pedagogy. The extremely well-qualified faculty with experience from various strata of the healthcare sector was like a cherry on the cake.

I prepared for the CMAT exam to get into GIM - Goa Institute of Management, while simultaneously doing my internship in my UG College. The admission process at GIM was very smooth, the group discussion/ Interview process happened in a very hassle-free manner. After a month, I received a mail from GIM stating that I've been selected for the HCM program, and that is the happiest I have ever been. Being an introvert, I was a little nervous to start my new life at GIM. We were assigned a faculty mentor even before we actually joined the college. On the very first day on campus, the faculty introduced themselves to us. They made the conversation so easy, I never felt out of place.

The best thing about the HCM programme was that we were taught core management subjects with the addition of healthcare specialisation, and this is what I feel gives us an edge over the non-specialisation programmes. The second annual healthcare conference took place while I was in the first year-Industry experts were a part of the conference and the insights shared by each one of them were quite valuable. I believed it to be my honour to have attended talks by such big illustrious leaders. I had joined the programme with the idea of working in the hospital management sector but during the first term itself, I learned the vast arenas that opened up for me within the healthcare sector. I learned in-depth about Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Healthcare IT, Consulting, Public Health, Hospitals and Diagnostics as well. I realised that HCM did not restrict me to one sector but opened up many others for me. I learned how marketing and sales are much more challenging in healthcare as compared to other industries. I continue to learn new things everyday cause as they rightly say 'Learning Never Stops at GIM.'

I had joined the programme with the idea of working in the hospital management sector but during the first term itself, I learned the vast arenas that opened up for me within the healthcare sector. I learned in-depth about Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Healthcare IT, Consulting, Public Health, Hospitals and Diagnostics as well.

All my perspectives changed for the better. The one belief that did not change was that the HCM programme at GIM was the best decision of my life.

About the author

Akshata Shenoy is a graduate in Paramedical Technology with a specialisation in Cardiology. She is currently pursuing Healthcare Management at GIM - Goa Institute of Management. Earlier, She has interned with Medline Industry as a market research Intern, and look forward to contributing the most she can in the healthcare industry, with the best of her calibre. 

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