PAKISTAN: I Failed the Medical School Exam, Then Built a Thriving Digital Agency

After failing to pass the medical entrance exam, Adeeba struggled with self-doubt but found a new passion in business, ultimately launching her own successful digital agency.

My mission is to create jobs for others because, in Pakistan, the inflation rate is high, and employment opportunities are scarce. Many people are struggling to find work.

My family wanted me to become a doctor, which was my dream. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass the medical entrance exam in 2020 and spent a year at home. I felt like I wasn’t capable or gifted.

But deep down, I knew I was the smartest child in my family. I had won two awards back in school. I was a hard worker, but I wasn’t given enough time to practice for the test. Still, what had happened had happened.

I felt isolated, like my world had ended, and no one supported me. That one year felt like a blur. I became socially withdrawn, hated meeting people, and skipped every family function.

Then, one day, my mother said something that changed everything: "The day ends, and there will be a new day with new opportunities and new hopes."

That line shook me to my core. My adrenaline kicked in, and suddenly, I felt like the old, pre-2020 Adeeba. 

I started learning new skills. My brother introduced me to digital marketing freelancing, and I began my journey as a beginner. I made mistakes, lost clients, and got scammed multiple times. Eventually, I thought freelancing wasn’t for me.

My English wasn’t good back then, and I didn’t know how to write well. But now I do.

I enrolled in university and changed my major from medicine to business. It was a huge shift for me. Imagine switching from your dream career to something entirely different. The thought always haunted me: Did I make a mistake by choosing business?

But deep down, I wanted to be someone people knew and admired. I wanted to help others, and to do that, I knew I had to help myself first. So, I decided to stick with business as my major.

In university, I made new friends and realized how vibrant life was. People were happy, living their lives, pursuing their dreams. And here I was, isolated when the world outside was full of life and joy. I thought, Adeeba, it’s time to step out of the shadows.

In my first year of university, I learned a lot. I grew, made connections, and met kind and supportive mentors. But the story didn’t end there.

One day, my father said, "Child, the medical exam is coming up again. If you want to give it another shot, we’ll support you."

Honestly, I didn’t want to try again, but out of respect for my father, I enrolled in the medical exam again during my first year of university.

I didn’t tell anyone at university, not even my friends. Only my family knew.

Here comes the twist: I scored 190/210 on the medical exam. I was shocked! I couldn’t believe it. I thought, how do I tell my parents that I’ve succeeded on my second try with excellent marks?

But here’s the second twist: I wasn’t interested in medicine anymore. I had only taken the test to honor my parents, but the passion I once had was gone. My heart was now in business. I had made friends, formed connections, and embraced my university life.

I told my father I didn’t want to pursue medicine anymore. He was shocked. With my marks, I could have easily gotten into the top medical universities in Pakistan.

It was a tough decision. My entire future depended on this moment: medicine or business?

I spent time alone, thinking deeply. In the end, I decided not to pursue medicine.

I knew many people would think I was foolish for making that choice. But I stood by it.

My parents were upset. They thought I should pursue my childhood dream of becoming a doctor. In their eyes, pursuing a business career was too uncertain and unconventional.

But I told them, "I’ll find my way. Please support me. And if you can’t, at least don’t discourage me," as politely as possible.

The next day, I went to university and shared my story with my friends. I told them I had retaken the medical test and scored top marks. They were proud of me and urged me to pursue medicine.

"That was your dream," they said. "Why give up now?"

"It was my dream," I replied, "but not anymore."

They couldn’t understand. "Then why did you take the test? Why didn’t you tell us?"

I explained it all happened suddenly, and I wasn’t sure I’d succeed.

They worried I was making a mistake, choosing business over medicine. They asked, "Do you even have a goal in business?"

Their words made me think. Why had I chosen business in the first place? I didn’t have a clear goal in mind either. It felt like my life was a mess. I was confused, torn between two worlds. But in the end, I made my choice.

I decided to stick with business. I had no interest in medicine anymore.

But what would I do now? I didn’t have a clear goal in business either.

I spent the next year learning new skills, actively participating in university, attending lectures, and slowly finding my way back to a normal life.

My family still thinks I made the wrong decision. My father has always said, "Choose any university, and I’ll pay for it." But I knew it would be a burden on him, and medicine was no longer my dream.

Fast forward to 2024, and I’ve applied my skills in the real world. I am now an SEO content writer, helping businesses grow their visibility on Google. Many clients appreciate my work, and they encourage me to keep going.

I’ve even founded my own digital agency. My mission is to create jobs for others because, in Pakistan, the inflation rate is high, and employment opportunities are scarce. Many people are struggling to find work. It’s my goal to land a big project for my agency by the end of this year. 

Your support made my dream a reality, and your initiative could change many lives. If any of you want to grow your business on Google or need help with social media management or anything else, feel free to private message me on World Pulse. Let's grow together, women, and let the world know the major impact we have on it! 

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