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With a degree in Finance, she established Metropolis Healthcare as a strong internationally recognized branch in the medical industry
Ameera Shah, Promoter and Executive Chairman, Metropolis Healthcare

Ameera Shah is the promoter and executive chairperson of Metropolis Healthcare Limited. Ameera has built Metropolis into the second-largest diagnostic chain across India and Africa. Metropolis Diagnostics today operates in over 700 cities in India. In recognition of Ameera’s exceptional skills and hard work, she received the Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in Healthcare for 2021, making her one of only three women to receive the award in the last 20 years, and the youngest. Furthermore, she was named one of “Asia’s Power Businesswomen” by Forbes Asia, and one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” by Business Today and Fortune India.

Ameera is a finance graduate from the University of Texas at Austin and an alumna of the Owner/President Management Program (OPM) at Harvard Business School.

Today, while discussing Ameera’s education and career journey, we uncovered some insights that can inspire students and their parents to make informed career decisions.

Tell us a little about your family. How did your family support your educational journey?

I had a wonderful childhood. Both my parents are doctors who believe in education and hard work. From childhood, I remember them waking up at 8 a.m. I have seen them working from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and they raised me with these ethics and values. From childhood, I was taught three values: education, hard work, and humility. Also, my parents never differentiated between girls and boys. They always said, “We do not think that girls should be protected and boys should be left alone, or that boys should be given more education because girls will get married and leave.” They said that both girls and boys have the same potential, and our job is to give them good values. I remember when I used to go on hikes for 7–8 days, my parents never said, “How will you manage? Something will happen to you; you need protection, or boys are also coming.” Rather, they gave me freedom and had faith in me.

Where did you do your schooling and when did you decide to pursue higher education?

I completed my 12th-grade commerce degree from HR College in Mumbai and then applied for further studies in the United States. Through my own hard work, I secured admission. My parents paid my first year’s fees, and then I received a scholarship and a job there, which allowed me to become self-reliant and support myself for the next three years, even though my parents had the money to pay my entire fees. But the feeling of independence inspired me to take care of myself, and feeling independent is very important for any girl because daughters are always taught that their father will take care of them, then their brother, then their husband. But we are never taught how to stand on our own two feet. However, when we develop the confidence to be independent, it helps immensely. It’s not that you don’t need anyone else in life, but what you need is love and trust. So, becoming self-dependent has been a great way to complete my schooling and college.

What should management students focus on the most during their studies?

I think focusing on the student is more important than having a prestigious college. If I were to delve into my past, would I be able to find out who the toppers in my school were and are they the best in life? The answer is no. Neither are college toppers the best today, because the education we receive in school and college provides a foundation. But our success comes from many other factors: our wisdom, decision-making, and skills, as well as our values, interpersonal skills, team management, people relationships, and relationships with family. While academic scores may make someone an engineer, becoming a chief engineer requires not only academics but also team management skills, relationships, wisdom, and discipline—all of which are not taught in college. Therefore, students should focus on their skills and personality, gain life experience, and, while strengthening their academics, also pay close attention to practicing their skills and interpersonal skills.

What things should be kept in mind while choosing a career after management studies?

While deciding on a career, students should pay attention to their capability along with their desire. For example, if a student wants to do engineering, they should first think whether they have the qualities for engineering or not. Along with this, you should also think whether you will be able to enjoy that career, because if you have to do the same work for 50 or 60 years, then you need to enjoy it; otherwise, as soon as boredom sets in, you will get bored of your work, which can become a big problem in your career.

Therefore, choose a career that you can enjoy while also devoting your full focus and hard work to it. Secondly, when you go to college, don’t limit yourself to academics. Work on your other skills and gain experience. Make friends, learn to build relationships, and communicate. Otherwise, how will you learn to do the work you want to do? Therefore, along with academics, gain life experience and relationships.

Note: Women’s colleges, Oxford, and IIMs are highly educated, but I don’t think they represent the entire education system. They represent only one part. Only when education is combined with women’s awareness and exposure can it truly equate to proper women’s education and empowerment. Even today, girls are sent to good colleges to be married to well-paid men. They are forced into marriage and told that it’s their husband’s job to earn money, and they should stay at home. Or else, it’s considered okay for girls whose husbands don’t work to work. This notion is inherently wrong. If girls don’t receive education, along with the exposure, experience, and awareness to work outside, they will never be fully educated and empowered.

How do you view gender equality?

Equality should first be in your own mind. I know many girls who say, “Earning is my husband’s job. He should work, he should make money, and whether I want to do it or not is my choice.” But why is that? First, you should understand whether you are in a traditional or a modern relationship. In a traditional relationship, you might say you want to stay home. But in a modern one, you are both equal; both work and share equal responsibility at home. Therefore, girls should start the pursuit of gender equality within their own minds.

Career-oriented women have to juggle their work with their families. What tips would you give them?

Only 18% of women in India are in the organized workforce. But when you count women who sell vegetables, milk, or farm, 60% of women are involved in the workforce. 60–70% of women have jobs. This is much higher in rural India, as they may be working in the fields, running small shops, or selling something. In villages, they do everything—work, take care of the children, and cook. But here in metro cities, women often make extreme decisions. For example, “I’m getting married, so I quit.” But why? Because I still have time to spend at home with my in-laws, with this, with that. So, I would tell them, “Don’t quit; keep working a little.” If you want to have children or spend time with them, then work part-time. Now you take six months of maternity leave; after that, if you are not able to work full-time, then work part-time, otherwise work full-time from home.

— Rajni Prasad