Pharmacy to management
I am in my last year of the BPharm degree. After studying for four years in this programme, I have come to realise that I'm not interested in pursuing this field further. I realised that last year itself, but I thought it would be better to complete the degree before thinking of anything further. Now I don't know how to break the news to my parents. I want to go for an MBA with a marketing specialisation, a regular MBA, nothing related to pharmacy. What should I do? – Milan Shinde
Dear Milan, I'm glad that you realised it in time that you want to opt for a different career stream than what you have chosen to study for your bachelor's. I must tell you an interesting fact. Recently, the principal of an engineering college told me that increasingly, these bachelor's degrees like engineering are looked upon as general bachelor's degrees which prepare students with the basics and build skills which will enable them to study whatever they want in future. I would say that you would look at your BPharm degree in a similar manner. I'm sure you are already thinking on those lines since you opted to study and finish the degree.
A commendable decision on your part is also that you have figured what you are interested in doing further, so you already know (I'm hoping) the steps you need to take to pursue your admission for MBA. I think you should just sit with your parents and explain really calmly to them your decision to study MBA after your graduation. If you are calm, explain your reasons to them logically, and also show them the prospects that you might have after completing your MBA, they will try and understand your view point and back you with your decision.
At the same time, I would suggest that even if they get a little agitated, you keep calm. You must understand that you are breaking this decision on them suddenly without any preamble, so they are allowed to have their reaction if necessary. Perhaps they would have thought that you'll be placed from campus and start working soon, instead of which you are looking at two years of extra study at least. You need to give them time and space to accept your decision, and adjust to it. You should offer them the consolation that they are your parents, and you need them to be on your side, so that you are able to pursue a career of your choice. It shouldn't get to a situation of you against them.