Hasnat Masood

"The best way out of a difficulty is through it - Will Rogers."

My academic career looked pretty reasonable in regards to biochemical research as I had under my name a number of stipends for research projects, internships at college and at National Institutes of Health, a publication in a scientific journal, the American Institute of Chemists Foundation’s excellence award, Summa Cum Laude graduation with a thesis honors, and membership of Phi Beta Kappa. All that felt pretty good until I entered the field of professional lab research, which I soon found out did not suit my personality at all. It seemed limiting and structured. I wanted creative freedom and room to kick around a little. So, I bade farewell to lab research, and started looking for other opportunities - those that would utilize my potential and desire to communicate with people and solve complex problems at the same time in order to effect change. I had tried these traits in leading clubs and running student platforms, but now the situation was different; I had decided to change my career direction forever. Luckily, P&G Pakistan had an opening that looked interesting to me: Associate Manager External Relations. It was a new position, which was half its charm. The rest was that it involved working at many levels and at many new things. I joined. Within the first couple of weeks, I knew I would like what was coming my way. It is exciting because you work at diverse problems and adopt various mindsets to accommodate and understand the people you are dealing with, be they scientists, marketing guys or advertising agencies. It is risky because you have immense responsibilities pertaining to P&G’s corporate image when dealing with external stakeholders. It is challenging because you need to know exactly what you need to know and why and when to deal with a gamut of experts including legislators, regulators, journalists, editors, advertising clearance authorities, medical professionals and consumer associations. Thanks to the great team spirit at P&G and the support available from senior colleagues, I have been able to roll out a couple of serious testing projects, cover press events, and plan and dish out PR ideas all in the first month here; everyday support for all externally related issues is in addition.