Young and ready to take on the corporates
With part-time jobs aplenty, college students in the city are exploring their professional sides sooner than they did earlier
Have part-time jobs begun to unleash a new wave among college students? Is there a marked difference between how part-time jobs were viewed a decade ago and how they are received now? The answer is a resounding yes, opines Deepika Sriram, a student of VIT University, who also works as the Student Brand Manager of Red Bull. According to the youngster, earning almost Rs. 9,000 per month helps her stay independent, while keeping a tab on her finances.
With more students turning to part-time jobs, flexible working hours and handsome pay packets come in tow. For the students, it's a great way to become, to a certain extent, financially independent. "My working hours are decided by me and I adhere to a planner; so there are no hectic schedules and I get to enjoy some time to myself as well," says Deepika.
Citing his own work as an example of the change in the remuneration patterns, Kishore Sridhar, a graduate of D.G. Vaishnav College, currently working with Elico, says that his salary has grown from Rs. 11,000 to Rs. 18,000 over a period of three years. "I was an AR Caller at Omega Healthcare and sometimes had to work overtime; but my salary saw an exponential increase." Despite it having a significant impact on his college and social lifestyle, he says, "I had to continue working due to personal reasons. Meeting college deadlines could be a challenge sometimes, but I managed to pull it off since the job was a solid back-up system," he says.
These jobs are also a great way to build their portfolios and gain industry exposure, say students. The current crop of college-goers has begun to exercise the need for a sound understanding of their graduate course and work in order to gain more knowledge. According to 20-year-old Monisha Sudakar, it is also fun. She loves to bake and has her own business Pastry Maniaa in Anna Nagar. A student of Sociology at Stella Maris College, she believes that her business keeps her busy.
"I rarely get time for social commitments and the real challenge lies in managing one's personal and professional fronts. I am passionate about what I do," says the entrepreneur, who rakes in a turnover of approximately Rs. 15,000 per month.
Organisations too, play a big role in attracting students to work as part-timers, particularly online portals who believe in incorporating young blood.
Surya Narayanan, 19, a Visual Communication student, works as a graphic designer for an e-commerce portal. "I design shirts on a freelance basis and the pay depends on the output," he says. While it adds to his creativity, it also helps expose him to the way the industry works. With an income of approximately Rs. 6,000, Surya adds, "It serves as my pocket money."
While the opportunities are endless, industries too don't shy away from hiring student talent. It's often telecom, medical billing, designing, animation, advertising, sales and marketing companies as well as insurance agencies that rope in students.
Freelance photography and writing are some of the most accessible means for students to engage in a part-time job. Vinayak Mahadev mouthing 'Money, Money, Money' is familiar to every Chennaiite. These students have effectively shown how.
College-goers have begun to exercise the need for a sound understanding of their graduate course and work
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