Healthcare

Given your experience in healthcare, and a career goal of staying in the industry, what made you decide to pursue your MBA at HBS?

There were many reasons. I was impressed by the Healthcare Initiative, and the activities of the Healthcare Club, which acts as a forum for students interested in pursuing careers in the industry. The strength of the course material, particularly the breadth of cases drawn from healthcare, was important to me. The location of the School in Boston, a hub for the life sciences internationally, was another distinguishing factor, particularly compared to other schools with healthcare programs. Finally, the quality of the students and faculty members, both in terms of their research and their involvement with the industry, contributed to my decision to earn my MBA here.

Why do you want to work in healthcare?

Given my background in Biochemical Engineering, and my interest in the life sciences, I have always been interested in exploring a career in healthcare. I think it is one of very few industries where I can combine a passion for helping people with a desire to have a fulfilling career in business. Furthermore, unlike other industries like financial services that tend to be cyclical in nature, healthcare offers a stable career with tremendous opportunities for growth.

I remain committed to the industry, and look forward to helping businesses deliver better drugs, solutions, and services to enable people to live happier, healthier lives.

What kind of leverage will your MBA provide in the healthcare industry?

As with any industry, the ability to analyze business problems and think strategically is critical to success in healthcare. In today's interconnected world, having a strong network is a key success factor. Recent trends in the industry, like the opening up of healthcare services in the emerging world, and the increasing cost pressure on pharmaceutical companies, further necessitate a strong understanding of business economics for healthcare professionals.

Going forward, I think my MBA will help me to distinguish myself from peers with a pure science background, and also give me the skills needed to look at science and innovation through a business lens.