Shahrukh’s Journey from NOP Student to Nearpeer Mentor!
The spirit of EntrepreneurshipPatriotism has always lived within me, turning every challenge into an opportunity to grow.
I come from Mansehra, a remote area of Pakistan, where opportunities were few and challenges many. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, but my parents made the unwavering choice to prioritize my education, despite all the obstacles they faced. I cherished their trust in me, and with determination, I earned a spot as an NOP student at LUMS, Pakistan.
That’s where my journey truly began, the journey that shaped me into who I am today. It wasn’t just about hard work; it was about surrounding myself with the right friendships, the right influences, and the right support. Those friendships became the perfect blend, adding the right ‘Ingredient’ to my growth, pushing me to evolve every day
Nearpeer Ki Kahani- Mere Zubani
Mansehra Ka Rahi
Growing up in Mansehra, Pakistan, I studied in a modest school shaped by rote learning. Whenever I couldn’t grasp a concept, I learned it by heart, driven by ambition and my parents’ hopes. My father worked as a recovery officer, and he often asked me to accompany him; watching him navigate difficult conversations, assess situations quickly, and make tough decisions showed me what practical life really looks like. I once set my sights on engineering, but those early lessons, and the fire to create and lead, drew me into entrepreneurship, where I’ve found my true calling.
NOP Sa Graduate – LUMS
My journey at LUMS was unlike anything I had experienced before. Coming from a background of rote learning, I initially felt completely overwhelmed. A boy who once dreamed of becoming an engineer or doctor found himself diving into the world of economics, not to memorize, but to explore and understand. LUMS opened a whole new universe for me, full of diverse cultures, ideas, and challenges. But the greatest gifts it gave me were a productive mindset and lifelong friendships. Being surrounded by some of the brightest talent in Pakistan, I found a foundation of peer learning and inspiration that shaped not just my academic growth, but my approach to life itself.
Nearpeer Ya Nai Soch (Refreshing Thought)
The journey with Nearpeer has been a story of its own. When I first worked on the Nearpeer mentorship project through my USA scholarship, I imagined my future stretching only as far as becoming a good professor. Yet, life had other plans. My love for my homeland, for the soil and people of Pakistan, pulled me back, and it was there that the true journey of Nearpeer began. What started as a Scholarship project evolved into a mission, one where I could channel my passion, experiences, and vision to make a meaningful impact at home.
I wasn’t born with eilite privilege, but with purpose, to create my own way and learn from every turn life offered.
I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, but with a spirit to grow. I made my own path, learned from every experience, and kept moving forward with purpose.
When I accompanied my father, who was a bank recovery officer, I learned one of the most powerful lessons of life, the value of social capital.
He showed me that connections built on trust, respect, and goodwill can open doors that money often cannot.
A Modest School
In school, I learned that success isn’t handed to you — it’s earned. My commitment to learning and perseverance led me to academic success, but the real achievement was realizing that true education begins when you learn to teach yourself.
Islamia College
When I moved from Mansehra to Peshawar for Islamia College, I left behind comfort and familiarity. I faced challenges of space, language, and belonging, but I discovered something greater: the power to stay patient, to adapt, and to keep my ground even when life feels like the deep sea.
LUMS
LUMS opened a completely new world for me. In the beginning, I struggled to express myself in English, often mumbling through words I barely knew. But I never let that discourage me. With time, my friends became my biggest source of confidence and strength.
A learner who turns questions into insights and insights into impact – Journey @ LUMS!
My journey at LUMS was nothing like the one I had imagined. It was challenging, unfamiliar, and filled with new people, new lessons, and unexpected adventures. But in navigating those difficulties, I discovered something far more valuable than comfort — I found the ingredient that shapes a successful CEO: Determination, Creativity, Salesman’s Quality, Desire to Learn and Courage to grow through every obstacle
Determination
There was a time in my Pakistan Studies class when I couldn’t utter a single word because of stage fear. My voice trembled, my confidence disappeared, and I felt completely stuck. But I didn’t give up. Instead, I reached out to my instructor at LUMS, and with her guidance, patience, and belief in my potential, I slowly learned to face my fear. What once silenced me became the motivation to grow, and step by step, I transformed that fear into confidence. Today, I speak not because I am fearless, but because I chose not to surrender.
Creativity
I still remember the time we first marketed Nearpeer at LUMS. We designed a standee with pictures of our friends and placed it right outside the classrooms. Within minutes, everyone stopped, stared, and smiled. The pictures created a buzz — students discussed it in the hallways, shared it with their peers, and the excitement spread across campus. What began as a simple marketing idea soon turned into something bigger. We transformed that engagement into a full recruitment drive, turning curiosity into conversations, and conversations into opportunities.
Salesman’s Quality
Every person is a salesperson — whether they realize it or not. Every day, you’re selling something: your ideas to your parents, your dreams to your friends, your potential to your teachers, and your value to your customers. To succeed, you must understand the people you want to influence. Build a customer portfolio, study their needs, their motivations, and what inspires their trust.
Desire to learn
Just as no one is born knowing everything, we also learn, unlearn, and relearn throughout our lives. And one thing we never do is say ‘no’ to an opportunity; no matter how small or unfamiliar it may seem. Personally, I make it a point to respond to everyone who reaches out to me and assist them wholeheartedly. Because growth comes from staying open, staying curious, and staying willing to evolve. That mindset has shaped who I am today.