Why not earn while you learn?

How would it feel to be earning pocket money while studying? Doesn’t the idea sound great? For most students, not being dependent on their parents for funds and the resultant feeling of independence can be exhilarating to say the least. One can take friends out for special treats and celebrations or give gifts as per one’s preference without being unduly worried about the cost.

Most important of all is the ability to impress someone you may have a crush on by taking them to a fancy restaurant all by yourself instead of waiting to be asked out in a group. 

The icing on the cake is that one sets the foundation for a career well in advance. While fellow-students are still in the process of learning how to write their bio-data for job applications after graduation, here you already have a job in place. While others worry endlessly about what career to opt for in future, one has already jumpstarted and is way ahead of them all.

However, while many students would love to enjoy such benefits, they don’t always realize that there is a cost attached. Balancing studies along with work is not always an easy task. As a matter of fact, managing day-to-day work schedules along with studies can get quite complicated and may not be everyone’s cut of tea. It requires lot of effort and mind space to deal with two completely different things in a day. Right from getting up in the morning for the college in your ‘casual’ attire to switching to ‘formal’ apparel for work, it is a big transition that has to be done, not only in terms of appearance but behaviour as well. 

While there are some students who do manage to pull this off, a lot depends upon the stage in their education when they begin and the type of work profile they have. Taking up a job for the first time in your life in a year when you have the XII board exams or final year university exams is not advisable. You will be too worried about studies to make a good impression at work and being unused to the double strain of work plus study could impact exam performance as well.

Unless if there is some amount of flexibility provided, it can have a reverse effect on your studies as well as the much-envisaged boost to social life. If the organization is too strict with interns, rather than being able to enjoy more with friends, one could well end up having to skip movies and other celebrations. Some interns have even experienced being called to work on Sundays and public holidays, which means they miss out on weekend picnics and even one-day excursions with their college friends.  
Umesh Bhanushali, a SY BCom student from St. Andrew’s College, shares, “I am working since the last two years with a textile company at Goregaon. Since this is my second year of degree college, it is not quite as difficult to manage my studies along with my work. However, once I get into the third year, obviously it would make sense to concentrate more on my studies and resume the job after I graduate.. I feel that working during the initial academic years gives you a good experience for your future.

Also, you earn good amount of pocket money.  I attend my lectures in the morning and go to the office after that.”

Working during your academic years is not as easy as it seems to be. There are various compromise and adjustment involved in it. There are situations where you literally have to rush from your college after the lectures for the office to reach on time no matter whatever the situation is! You have to compromise on your college life, when you are actually supposed to enjoy.  Not only that, but the hectic schedule can also end up putting your health down, which not only will affect your studies but also the work.   

Kirti Joshi (name changed) is also an SY BCom student from another suburban college. She is currently working in a call centre and expressed, “I have been employed at a call centre at Thane since the last few months. However, now I am feeling that it is too hectic for me as I don’t get time for myself. There are various complications involved when it comes to balancing my work as well as college studies. Though I get a good salary working in a call center, it is difficult to deal with their changing shifts.

Sometimes they call us for afternoon shift and sometimes for night shifts. I am considering quitting my job after completing this month and directly rejoin it after I complete my graduation.”

Not all the students get a chance to work as well as study simultaneously. There are various courses that take up all the time and do not permit any free time for a job. Then there are certain careers like chartered accountant or in the management field, where work experience becomes a must after reaching certain stage of the course for a better job opportunity. Such internships may not pay well or only expenses may be reimbursed but still students are ready to make the necessary adjustments for their future career.

There are even situations where during financial crisis in the family, a student wishing to do a particular professional course can’t afford to do it due to the high fees. The good news for such students is that part time courses are also available so they can earn during the day time and attend the course after office hours. 

Certain families do want the children to get an early start when it comes to the business activities, make an effort to help and understand the business as soon as they are done with their board exams. Aniket Chheda, a FYBAF student, St. Andrew’s College, highlights, “We have our own family business here and since I am the eldest among my siblings, my father wants me to dedicate a few hours of my day to it. In exchange for these efforts, my father pays me Rs. 4000 monthly as a pocket money”. 

The ‘earn while you learn’ concept has its share of pros and cons but consider when you plan to take the first step and whether you can sustain it thereafter or not. Some organizations do agree to give interns a leave of absence during the graduation year but it may not always be possible, especially in smaller companies, so think it over before taking a decision.