My name is Tazmeen Fatima Khan and I’m currently a Fulbright Scholar pursuing my master’s degree in marketing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, United States. Securing a Fulbright Scholarship is a significant milestone, particularly given its highly competitive nature. With a low acceptance rate from Pakistan, the Fulbright represents one of the most coveted opportunities for international students. The selection process is rigorous, reflecting the scholarship’s prestige and the high caliber of its recipients. I am incredibly grateful to have achieved this distinction, as it not only provided me with an invaluable educational experience but also offered substantial financial relief, easing the burden of pursuing higher education abroad.

However, my journey to this day has been quite a rollercoaster. I joined Commecs College in 2015 as a pre-medical student and was confident that my future was set in the medical field. But the interactive environment at Commecs exposed me to a variety of different professions. By the time I entered my second year of college, I realized my interest was in the world of business, and I started preparing for business schools in Karachi.

I remember a lot of my peers in college from commerce and engineering backgrounds were skeptical of my ambition to go to IBA. However, a few teachers supported my goals, and I got in by the second round, having failed my first round by just one mark. Pivoting from medicine to business was tough, and my first two years at IBA were spent learning foundational skills to catch up with my peers while ensuring I got corporate internships and other extracurricular experiences. While doing so, I was also helping my parents with their small business initiatives and discovered my passion for marketing. By the time I graduated in 2021, I was certain that marketing was my calling. I joined Daraz (Alibaba) as a management trainee and went on to become a campaign specialist in their marketing function. My three years at Daraz were the most formative years of my career and helped shape who I am today.

However, I realized that I needed more to truly specialize in this field that I love so much and is growing exponentially worldwide. So, I took a leap of faith and started preparing for the Fulbright Scholarship. It took a lot of effort, persistence, and patience! I couldn’t believe my luck when I got accepted from a pool of more than 3,000 applicants. My life has never been the same! The experience of higher education in the United States is unparalleled and does wonders for career and personal growth. I hope to graduate and return to Pakistan to help young people, such as the brilliant minds at Commecs, tap into their potential and do wonders! I am always ready to help and always available, just a LinkedIn message away.