Heena thought she’d end up in a white coat.
“I was studying for the MCAT, shadowing doctors, doing research. Medicine felt like the obvious path—until it didn’t.”
Here’s how she pivoted to a dual Master’s in Business (MBA) and Healthcare Administration (MHA)—and why she’s so glad she did.
Med School or… Something Else?
After two years of undergrad research and a job in a hospital, Heena hit pause.
“I loved healthcare but realized I didn’t want to be on the clinical side. I wanted to understand how systems work, how to lead teams, how to fix broken processes.”
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How She Figured It Out
✅ She took a gap year to explore.
✅ Shadowed healthcare professionals in admin and policy roles.
✅ Spoke with professors across MBA, MHA, and MPH (public health) programs.
“All those conversations helped me see where I fit. I didn’t have to give up healthcare—I just needed a different angle.”
Why Dual Degrees?
MBA = Leadership + Business strategy
MHA = Healthcare systems + Operations
“I realized combining the two gives me flexibility. I could work in hospitals, startups, or even public health organizations.”
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Hina’s Tips for Students Unsure About Grad School
🌟 Explore before you commit. Intern, shadow, or volunteer in different roles.
🌟 Talk to people in those careers. Ask what their day-to-day looks like.
🌟 Remember: you’re not locked in. Changing paths isn’t failure—it’s growth.
Her Takeaway?
“Don’t pick a career just because it’s ‘expected.’ Pick what makes you excited to wake up every day.”