We often hear that life is a straight path: study, get a job and build a career. But what happens when you’re halfway down that road and realize you're heading the wrong way? For most, the thought of starting over is too scary. But for Aakriti Goel, it was the only choice that made sense.
This is the story of how she traded her corporate laptop for a medical stethoscope, proving it's never too late to follow your heart.
For nearly a decade, Aakriti was a successful engineer in the fast-paced world of startups. She climbed the ladder, led teams and had a salary many would envy. On the outside, she had it all. On the inside, she felt drained and unfulfilled.
The constant stress took a toll, and her health began to suffer. In early 2020, her body literally said 'stop.' It was a wake-up call.
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She made the brave decision to quit her job, right as the world went into lockdown. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to truly rest. She slept, explored hobbies and simply paused. This break wasn't a gap in her resume; it was a space for her to rediscover herself.
With a clear mind, Aakriti began asking the big question: "What's next?" She explored becoming a yoga instructor, a lawyer, or even an HR consultant. Nothing felt quite right.
During a career coaching session, a surprising idea popped into her head—almost as a joke. What about becoming a doctor? It was a childhood dream she had set aside years ago.
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"I thought, isn't it too late? Aren't there age limits?" she wondered. But when she looked it up, she discovered a life-changing fact: the Supreme Court had removed the upper age limit for medical entrance exams. It felt like a sign.
She decided to test the waters, watching free online biology classes. To her surprise, it felt like revisiting an old, beloved hobby. The spark was still there. She gave herself an ultimatum: if she could study for 10 hours a day for 13 days, she would go for it.
She did. And she never looked back.
Returning to the classroom after ten years wasn't easy. The woman who had managed multi-million dollar projects found herself fumbling with a pen, trying to remember how to hold it comfortably. In class, teachers moved quickly, and she wasn’t afraid to ask the "basic" questions others were too shy to voice.
Some dismissed her, asking why she was wasting her time. But the same determination that made her a successful engineer now fueled her medical dreams. The criticism didn't break her; it made her stronger.
For over a year, she dedicated herself completely. She took over 100 mock tests, studied relentlessly, and leaned on a supportive family who stood by her, even when they were initially worried about her age and the long road ahead.
All her hard work paid off in one nerve-wracking moment: opening her NEET UG exam results. Her hands trembled as she saw her score—676—and her All India Rank of 1,118. She had done it. She was going to be a doctor.
When she told her family, they were stunned. Her journey from a corporate leader to a future medical student was complete.
Aakriti’s story isn’t just about switching from engineering to medicine. It’s a powerful lesson in listening to yourself. She had everything society tells us to want, but she chose personal fulfillment over a paycheck.
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