This week’s spotlight features Mansi Gandhi. In her final year of physiotherapy, Mansi realized that clinical physiotherapy is not a career choice for her and she decided to pursue a management degree after physiotherapy. Fast-forward 7 years, she now has an MBA degree and a job at one of the big 4 consulting firms. In this spotlight, Mansi shares what she learned when transitioning to a non-clinical role and also about her work in simple language. So if you are questioning your career choice, go ahead and read this spotlight to get an idea about this non-clinical career path.
What is your name, job title, and workplace?
Mansi Gandhi, I’m currently a senior consultant working with PwC India.
What is your educational background?
I completed my BPTh in 2015, post which I completed my MBA in Human Resources from Narsee Monjee Institute of management studies, Mumbai (NMIMS, Mumbai) in 2018
What did you do soon after graduation?
After physiotherapy, I worked at a private clinic for 6 months and practiced privately for the next 6 months.
When and why did you decide to pursue a management degree after physiotherapy?
I decided to pursue a non-clinical career in the final year of physiotherapy itself when I realized that clinical practice did not excite me as much. Also, research/ academics either wouldn’t be a sustainable career choice, the only way out for me was a management degree after physiotherapy.
How did people react to you leaving patient care?
It is difficult at first, I was questioned time and again on not just the decision but even my ability to treat patients and my capability as a physiotherapist in the previous stint. However, that couldn’t deter me as I knew it wasn’t the right career for me.
What programs did you consider? Why did you choose to pursue your MBA from NMIMS?
I had started my quest for management with just hospital management in my mind, however, as I delved deeper, I realized that:
A. There is a lack of colleges providing high-quality management education for hospital management. TISS was the only college that had a good degree with sound placements on offer and the chances to get in were meager for me due to the reservations. However, the preparation required to crack any of the competitive entrance exams largely remains uniform irrespective of the course you choose.
B. Management education is the only degree that can open your chances for a wider career array and keep it open even after working in a field for multiple years. I realized that I can still move back to hospital administration after getting a regular MBA degree from a better, premier institute.
C. As I explored the subjects of a typical MBA course, HR interested me the most, since it had a strong link to human psychology, NMIMS being among one of the premier institutes of India, I chose to join the course
What was the admission process like?
The process typically involves a written test (MCQ based) which includes language, logical reasoning, and mathematics as major subjects. Post scoring a qualifying score on the same, group discussions and personal interviews are conducted. The aggregate for all these scores is considered for the final admission to the shortlist.
Tell us more about your coursework
The coursework includes all the typical management subjects from economics to finance and marketing. The first year is more or less common for all faculties. The course majorly focuses on having students resolve real-life case studies, work on live projects and improve not just their management but also their communication and persuasion skills.
What are you doing currently?
I currently work as a management consultant in PwC India in its people and organization practice.
Will you please describe your role in the words physiotherapy new graduates would understand?
I advise companies on all aspects relating to HR. This includes
- structure to compensation practices
- culture building
- performance management
- recruitment practices, etc
What is a typical day of work for you?
The days differ highly as each project is very different from the others. Client requirements, industry, and problems vary widely and each day is a new challenge. It is one of the most unstructured and challenging jobs available, however, it helps me learn at a pace like no other.
What are your work hours?
Officially 8 per day, but a typical day can range anywhere from 11 to 14 hours depending on the stage of the project.
Do you work remotely or onsite?
It is a hybrid model, I do travel intermittently to client locations.
How are you applying skills learned in physiotherapy school in your career now?
Starting with diagnosis is something that is hard coded in our brains as physios. This obvious habit comes naturally to me now and helps me think even during high-pressure situations. Additionally, the skill to talk patiently and empathetically with patients is something that can be used very well with clients. It is highly appreciated and difficult to hone in with people from other professions.
How is the pay, compared to a clinical physiotherapist?
The pay in terms of purely monetary returns is much higher as compared to a clinical physiotherapist. A typical Graduate from a premier MBA college would be able to fetch anywhere between 14 to 20 LPA packages, which is significantly higher. The key word here is a premier institute!
Do you treat any patients?
No, I am unable to do so for the last 5 years.
What do you like about your job?
I think it’s one of the best decisions that I have taken to date.
What are the challenges you face?
A management job comes with its own set of challenges including very heavy work hours and a complete desk job so a plethora of health challenges.
What type of person would do well when pursuing a management degree after physiotherapy and what type of person wouldn’t?
Someone who is excited about a corporate career and loves to solve problems takes ownership of the tasks and wishes to grow their career in a structured fashion would do well here. However, anyone who wishes for freedom of work and has an entrepreneurial spirit may not like this job.
What is next for you?
I plan to take up new challenges as a manager and work in different industries and verticals of HR. I may want to move to marketing later if I get the chance.
What is your advice for someone who wants to pursue a non-clinical career?
If you are sure that clinical practice is not for you, do not waste your time trying to like it. You can pursue a management degree after physiotherapy. There’s an entire sea of options open for you after management.
Where can people reach you?
They can reach out to me on LinkedIn
Hello, My name is Tejashree Limaye. I am a physiotherapist with 10+ years of experience. I help you go from being stuck in your career to finding a job you love! I provide career guidance about clinical and non clinical PT career in India. I also help you with US PT licensing process. Welcome to my blog, I hope you find the exact guidance you have been looking for!