Sometimes, success doesn’t arrive under perfect conditions. You achieve success with relentless hard work. Eminent personalities have said that you can’t achieve the greatest dreams by peaceful, goodnight sleep. Our team interacted with Manogna, a young pharmacist from Telangana. She dreams of working in Australia as a registered pharmacist. The road to get there involved a grueling 12-hour night shift, full days of study, and the unwavering belief that she could turn ambition into achievement.
A Rewarding Career Transition From MBBS to Pharm.D
Like many Indian students, Manogna’s first ambition was to become a doctor. After finishing her Class 12, she set her sights on MBBS. But when a seat through NEET didn’t come her way, she weighed her other options.
“I had even considered BDS,” she says, “but then I discovered Pharm.D It felt almost like MBBS except for the surgeries and it had strong career opportunities abroad.”
Her family, too, believed in the potential of a pharmacy career overseas, and that reassurance sealed her decision. She enrolled in the MLR Institute of Pharmacy, Dundigal, Hyderabad, beginning a six-year academic journey that would change her life.
What made Manogna Pursue Pharm.D?
In the beginning, Manogna thought of pharmacy primarily as medicine management. But as her studies progressed, she realised it was far more dynamic.
“Our work pretty much intersects with doctors,” she explains. “We take care of patients by reviewing drug interactions, preventing medication errors, and even making recommendations based on hereditary diseases.”
During her internship, she put these skills to use daily, studying patient charts, spotting risks, and helping prevent complications before they occurred. “Knowing you’ve made a difference in a patient’s safety is incredibly satisfying,” she says.
The Turning Point: Guidance from Academically
By her final year, Manogna knew she wanted to take her skills abroad. What she didn’t know was the exact pathway. That clarity arrived when representatives from Academically visited her college.
“They spoke about international career options for Pharm.D graduates, including the OPRA exam,” she recalls. “That outreach session changed everything for me.”
It wasn’t just the information that inspired her; it was the connection. One of her faculty members had been a junior to Dr. Akram Ahmad, founder of Academically. “Seeing someone from a similar background achieve success made me believe I could do it too,” she says.
How was Manogna’s First Job?
In 2024, Manogna completed her Pharm.D. and stepped into the real world with a three-month internship at Sriara Hospital. That opportunity quickly turned into a permanent job, but it came with a catch.
Her shift ran from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM every day.
Her role was intense:
- Reviewing medication charts for accuracy
- Monitoring possible drug interactions
- Checking nursing activities
- Ensuring every prescription was clinically sound
The salary of ₹25k per month was generous for a fresh graduate. But, the working hours were demanding. Most people would have focused solely on the job. Manogna was about to do both work and prepare for one of the toughest pharmacy exams in the world.
Preparation of Life: Pharmacist by Night, Student by Day
While her colleagues went home to sleep after their shifts, Manogna’s day was only halfway over. She attended OPRA exam preparation classes in the morning, studied during the day, and reported for duty again at night.
“I didn’t waste time on multiple resources,” she says. “I followed Academically’s classes, cleared my doubts, and stayed consistent. If you listen carefully the first time, you don’t need to watch lectures over and over again.”
Her approach was simple: trust the process, show up every day, and never let exhaustion win.
Victory After the Grind: Passing the OPRA Exam
Months later, her results arrived, she had passed the OPRA exam.
“It was such a relief,” she says. “All those sleepless nights, all that effort, it was worth it.”
For Manogna, the achievement was more than a qualification. It was the key to the future she had envisioned years earlier. Her immediate plan is to secure her visa, head to Australia, complete her internship, and start her career as a registered pharmacist.
Her Message to Future Aspirants
Manogna is quick to credit her mentors and preparation strategy:
“Believe in the guidance you choose. For me, that was Academically. Follow what they say, don’t overcomplicate things, and success will follow.”
Her journey is proof that success is not about waiting for the perfect moment. It’s about making the most of the moment you have, no matter how challenging.
