Dr. Sujana Catherine.S – Converting closed doors into windows of opportunities through a corporate Pharmacovigilance position where she is passionately pursuing excellence.

"If you can’t be the sun, be a star;

Be the best of whatever you are"

To be a dentist was the last option I wanted to choose. Having aspired to be a gynaecologist and losing medical seat by 0.5 marks, it was not easy to take the decision of joining dentistry.

Dusting off the dreams, I gradually tried to take interest in dentistry. Desiring to be an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, I begun MDS preparation, alongside working in clinic and later in a private dental college. However, constraints of personal life hampered my complete involvement in MDS preparation.

Failure in obtaining a PG seat, the dwindling interest in practicing dentistry and the need for stabilization forced me to look into other career options.

By chance, I got the opportunity as an analyst in pharmacovigilance. Never imagined a doctor could be an IT professional. The transition had its own challenges. With no idea about my job, I had to start from scratch and learn a lot in terms of domain, technology and corporate work culture. Client value creation, targets, dashboards were all new terminologies to me. Analysing drug side effects was interesting, but also demanding. I had to be meticulous and cognizant.

Apart from process, there were other battles to face. Awkward shift timings, the unknown corporate world, the thought of being one among the crowd, the stress, peer pressure, appraisals....

At times, I used to wonder if my choice of career was right. Nevertheless, I aspired and perspired to be the best wherever I was. It meant adaptation, resilience and perseverance.

8 years passed in a blink of the eye.

Reaping from the efforts sowed, here I am today as a successful team lead.

Dr. Sujana Catherine
Former Drug safety analyst
Team lead – Pharmacovigilance company