Cardiology to Business in Healthcare

I've always been taught that experience beats knowledge and though I understood this, I never believed it truly. I felt that if one is determined to do something and puts in all their effort to achieve there goal, then there is nothing that can stop them. With this mentality, I had been convincing myself that if I ever work a day of my life, I would only work as a cardiology Physician's Assistant. It was the only career I thought I would ever love, but after stepping into the shoes of a PA for a few months, I realized the importance of experience. Even though I am passionate and still dream of potentially working alongside a cardiac surgeon one day, the reality of this field holds me back.

I get the question "Why are you in Mays Business School when your passion is cardiology?" Yes, I dream about the day where I walk up to patients' families and inform them that the surgery was successful and their family member is no longer in danger. Having a scalpel in my hands, blood stains on my latex gloves, and walking with my Doctor's coat in light blue scrubs are the typical dreams I have. But sometimes, what we dream of and imagine ourselves loving isn't always ideal for our personality.

After dreaming about my passion since 4th grade, 10 years later I received the opportunity to shadow a physician's assistant. Within a week, my decade long passion was diverted into uncertainty. What I imagined doing was completely different from what the PA was doing. A major reason I wanted to pursue the medical field was the interactions I would make with patients. I live for the joys and smiles I can see on my loved one's faces, but this job consisted of 10 minutes of patient time and 2 hours of research and preparation behind a computer screen. I understand that data recording and notes are important part of a doctor's work, but did not realize that it was the main part.

I continued to shadow, but my heart didn't have the same excitement as it used to. I would love stepping into my scrubs and observing the doctor duties, but the glow on my face gradually fading was noticed by my father. How could I back away from the career I had longed to pursue for years and the hopes I had given to my family members. My daddy calls me his dream child and was I giving up on my passion because I did not like an aspect of it? For months, I was in a state of confusion. Maybe the doctor that I shadowed was like this and others would be different. I researched and asked around about the daily duties of a doctor and was surprised to see and hear that this field was not like anything I expected.

I continued to shadow and motivating myself by thinking how proud my family will be when my grandpa's dream would come true. My grandparents had always wanted a medical professional in our family and I promised my parents I would be the family doctor. I continued to question myself: how could I be a successful PA when I did not love the career anymore? Was it worth it to drown myself in anatomy textbooks and overwhelming stress only to receive the title, "PA Khan?" I could do anything for my parents' happiness, but I knew that if they noticed my depressing attitude towards PA school, it would hurt them more down the line.

3 months later, I decided to make a decision and relieve myself from this uncertainty. That night when I prayed to God, I only asked for one thing; "God, when I wake up the next day, guide my steps towards the decision that will be best for all." Goosebumps crawled up my arms accompanied by shivers as my lips began to soak in my tears. I was not the strong-minded, confident Duaa who planned every second of her life anymore. After crying to God and asking for direction, I slept a very peaceful sleep. I woke up the next morning with my friend's words echoing in my mind: "the key to success is pivot." I was somehow certain that I did not want to go to PA school anymore and HR was my path. Now, it was time to spread the news.

For the first time in my life, I was guilty to speak to my father . The father who would call me "Dr. Duaa", prayed for the day he would see me cross the stage in my white coat, and proudly tell his friends and family that his dream daughter is becoming a doctor, would now have to see his daughter give up and pivot with her path. Due to the fear of breaking my parents' dreams, I cried and told my uncle first. When I bent my head down and spoke the shaky words, "I don't want to be a PA anymore," just a few seconds later, an arm went around my shoulder and my uncle hugged me. He laughed and smiled, so I looked up to see his glistening eyes that shimmered with pride. He said," I am very proud to know that you made the decision that was guided by your heart and not your mind." This statement of just a few words was the most powerful statement to me at the time. I cried a river as I hugged him and my tears of sorrow were soon followed by tears of joy.

My uncle decided it was time to tell my parents. My heart was racing, but there was an innerpeace knowing my role model uncle supported me in my decision. Uncle Farooq called my dad up to my room, with my mom walking behind. As soon as my dad saw my tears, he became worried. All I said was '" I no longer want to work as a PA" and was interrupted before I finished my sentence with my Daddy's reply of, "No problem my daughter Do what you love, no one can force you to do anything. I just want to see you happy and successful in whatever you do!" Seeing my dad's assuring eyes speak his mind to me and react extremely understandingly made me cry. My mom and my dad gave me a tight, warm hug that removed all my worries away. I was so lucky to have parents who supported what I did, even if it was not what they originally intended.

It was this day that made me realize 2 things: there is nothing and no one more valuable in this world than your parents and changing one's initial plans for one's more satisfying is the beginning to success. My dad made me realize that people are only successful when they love to wake up and are excited about going to work. Why? Because they have a passion for their career. He made me realize that he was just as happy to see me cross the stage in my black graduation gown as an HR major as he would be in my white coat. He just wanted to see his daughter get a degree because he wanted my hustle to be worth it. He has taught me to hustle, so I never have to depend on anyone . I pray that every child receives parents like mine. My dream is to make my father's dreams come true and now I pray for the day that I walk across the stage with the degree I'm certain I want to obtain. I hope that God gives me the strength, intelligence, and creativity to work hard and persistently in all I do, so I can see my loved ones happy and help others in any way I can!