Bhuvi Sharma
Growing up as a single child in a warm and protective family, despite the cocoon of care, my parents have let me to fly instead of confining me in a cage. They believed in giving me the freedom to choose my own path. They stood by my decision to take up commerce after my 10th boards, a bold shift from the family norm. The real turning point came, when I insisted on moving to Chandigarh for my undergraduate studies, the first step out of my comfort zone.Living alone, managing responsibilities, and facing challenges taught me more than any textbook ever could. Soon I discovered my interestin marketing, did a few internships, explored the field further, and decided to pursue an MBA. Ours is a family of engineers, and government employees, the corporate world was an unfamiliar, often misunderstood place. In my hometown, government jobs are regarded as the most stable, respectable, and desirable career path. An MBA is often seen as a backup option, something to fall back on while preparing for government examinations.
There is not the same sense of security or respect associated with working in the private sector. Infact marketing is frequently misinterpreted. Many associate it with door-to-door sales, overlooking the depth and diversity it offers. I always challenged this perception. For me, marketing is about understanding people, building brands, solving problems, and driving growth through creativity and strategy. During COVID, while the world slowed down, I started researching the field, understanding MBA programs, and preparing for the exams. I faced my share of failures, but my parents never stopped believing in me. Their support gave me the strength to keep going and eventually, I made it to a good business school in Mumbai. From the quiet lanes of Udhampur, to the fast-paced life of Mumbai, it was more than just a change in city; it was a shift in mindset, lifestyle, and perspective. The city taught me to keep moving, no matter what. I saw people juggling two or even three jobs just to survive. It taught me that success doesn’t come easy, you have to show up even when you’re tired. No job is small, and no dream is too big, if you’re willing to put in the work. Mumbai taught me patience, when you’re stuck in traffic. It taught me kindness, in the way strangers help you find your way or share an umbrella in the rain. It taught me courage to start fresh, to fail and still try again, to live far from home and in the middle of it all, you learn to adapt, stay sharp, and keep going, no matter what. Then came a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, an exchange semester in Milan, Italy. Studying at a global university, interacting with peers from different countries, and traveling across cities was unreal. For someone who once hesitated to step out of her home without her parents, I look back today and see how this journey made me independent, confident, and content.
Italy and India may seem worlds apart, but both taught me valuable lessons in their own unique ways. In India, life moves quickly, it’s lively and full of people, traditions, and the comfort of community. In contrast, Italy is quieter, the life is slow and people take time with things, their meals and conversations. What struck me was how independent people were, especially the old, they do their own thing. The classrooms were different too, the focus was more on open discussions than just lectures. The learning isn’t just about competing, it’s about thinking, listening, and growing at your own pace.My MBA journey has taught me a lot both in and outside the classroom. It taught me the importance of building connections, asking the right questions, challenging yourself and constantly thriving to be better. It taught me to lead, adapt and collaborate. Most importantly, I learned that there’s no single “right” path in life. I switched from wanting to be a Chartered Accountant to pursing MBA in Digital marketingand that one decision changed my life.To anyone reading this, I want to say: pursue what you love, even if it feels scary at the moment. Don’t let societal pressure or family expectations hold you back. Step out of your comfort zone, exploration is the key, it helps you grow. Pave your own way and trust that you will figure it out even if you fail. As my dad always says, “You have 100 options, one will definitely work out.” And he’s right. Sometimes, all it takes is faith, effort, and a little courage to find the life waiting for you on the other side.
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