I first heard about her from a friend who casually mentioned, “She’s always the topper!” After chatting with her, it’s clear that she embodies that title. Honestly, I’d trust her with my treatment any day! The life of a doctor intrigues me; it seems both fascinating and a bit daunting—a job that keeps you on your toes for sure. Read our interview with her to know more about the motivation to become a doctor.
WORK
Role at the company
Doctor
Working at
Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata
Location
Kolkata, India
EDUCATION
Studied from
Medical College, Kolkata
Graduated with
MBBS
Subjects in 12th
Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Hi, Dr. Sharadeekha! Can you tell us what you’re up to these days?
Absolutely! I just graduated with my MBBS degree from Medical College, Kolkata. Right now, I’m preparing for NEET to pursue a postgraduate degree. I’m also working part-time—doing six 24-hour shifts a month—because I don’t want to lose my practice.
Wow, six shifts a month sounds intense! I know you interned for a year before this. Was that just as demanding?
Not really! This part-time work is voluntary. During my internship in the last year of MBBS, the shifts varied. We rotated through different units to get a feel for various medical fields. Some, like Gynecology and General Surgery, were more intense, while others, like ENT and Anesthesia, were a bit easier. My longest shift was 32 hours in Surgery, and my shortest was around 2-3 hours in ENT.
That’s interesting! Let’s rewind a bit. When did you decide you wanted to be a doctor?
It was in 8th standard. I enjoyed studying biology way more than subjects like history. Plus, I heard a lot about diseases in my family, which made me curious about learning more. I was fascinated by doctors and their ability to help people—it felt like magic to me. I wanted to have that power to save lives and bring happiness to patients and their families.
That’s a noble reason! So when it came to choosing subjects in 10th grade, you were set on PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)?
Yes! I liked Math, but I knew I was better at memorization than analysis, so becoming a doctor felt like a more realistic path for me than engineering.
Did you know any doctors at that time? Did you consult anyone before choosing this field?
Honestly, no. My family is full of engineers, so I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it. But they were more than happy to know they might get a free doctor for life! In 11th grade, I started preparing for NEET. Around that time, I had an acute asthma attack, which was surprising since there’s no family history. The doctors treated me well, and that experience motivated me even more to become a doctor. I also chatted with my doctor about MBBS life, which was nice.
Where did you study for NEET?
I took weekend coaching at Aakash Institute.
Smart choice! I know many people juggle school and coaching daily, which sounds exhausting. Was it tough to crack NEET?
Yes, it was challenging! I had to study hard to pass. At first, I didn’t do so well, which was discouraging, but I focused on my weak areas. Learning from my mistakes in mock tests really helped, and my marks gradually improved.
That’s a great strategy! I’ve noticed that those who perform well often do that. How hard was college for you?
Short answer—VERY! Long answer—it’s a lot to learn. In my first semester, I struggled to understand all the jargon the professors used. Medical terms were hard to remember, and I particularly hated Biochemistry. You have to study almost every day because there’s so much to learn, and final exams are pretty tough.
What kept you motivated?
It’s rewarding! Everything you learn has real-life applications, and reminding myself that the knowledge could save lives really helps. Plus, things do get better over time; the first and final years are the hardest, but the rest aren’t too bad.
So, you have to be super disciplined to be a doctor, right?
Honestly, once you start college, the curriculum and exams force you to be disciplined, no matter how you started out.
Were the professors helpful, and did you learn a lot from them?
Yes, definitely! I attended a government college and had zero complaints. The professors were great, and the practicals were super helpful—it's pretty much the same across all government colleges.
How does it feel to finally be a doctor?
It feels like all my hard work paid off! The gratitude I receive from patients for helping them get better is incredibly fulfilling. Plus, people treat you with so much respect.
Fun question: Is it like The Good Doctor?
I wish it were! It’s not quite like that. You only get the occasional patient with a rare disease, and figuring that out is really rewarding. That’s when you truly appreciate all those late-night study sessions.
Thank you for sharing — we'll post your story on our website and if anybody has more questions, they will schedule a call with you.
