Hosting a college show changed his life forever

Five years ago, Syed Asad Abbas had no idea that the stage would be his second home. Hosting a college show changed his life forever. Abbas, a student of MS (communication), Christ University, was at the mike when an event manager, impressed by his work, offered him an assignment which was hard to resist. Today, Abbas earns Rs 30/40,000 per month, a good middle-income salary, as a student. Abbas might be a rare example, but today’s Youngistanis are increasingly willing to sacrifice their social life to earn some decent money while getting an education. The money may go to support their families, or quite simply buy them their independence , or paradoxically , help them have a really cool social life with the extra bucks they made. Abbas, for example, organizes shows, conducts team-building programmes for professionals. Don’t these activities get in the way of studies? “Not really. My attendance is always above 90 per cent and most of the programmes are held after college hours, and some during weekends. During exam time, I take a break and concentrate on studies,” he says. The amount earned conducting these shows has definitely made him richer, and the journalism student now plans to buy a car! “I have a bike now but am buying a Honda Civic. Moreover , my salary allows me to pay my fees and I am able to buy a lot of stuff,” he says with a happy grin. For him, it isn’t just money: He’s able to get hands-on experience and “I have learnt to market myself. I am independent and able to do whatever I want,” he says. His parents have been supportive throughout . He says that as long as he is able to excel academically, they have no problem with him working. Every student cannot earn like Abbas . They are into things they are passionate about: writing, modelling, movies, etc. Shariq Iqbal, a computer science student from PES College of Engineering , who wants to eventually be a writer, has published articles in a popular English tabloid and is also an author of a book ‘To Whom It May Concern’ . Interestingly, this 20-year old is already on his second book revolving around the youth with a lot of black humour. Iqbal says that balancing work and academics is not at all difficult. “I study when I have to and make time for it. I am not a person who studies round the clock. I want to pursue higher studies, work in the corporate world for some time, and then take up writing full time,” he adds. For a hardcore theatre person, Aditya Mahendra Sawant - a first year MBA student from Manipal University - it was managing and directing a show that swept him off his feet. Presently freelancing, he directs and manages shows. In fact, he was also part of production of two movies — Luck by Chance and Rock On. “Money is not that important now. It’s the experience I get from working in different production houses,” he says as a matter-of-fact . All of them admit that balancing academics and work is the tough part but for the support they get from college, parents and friends. Inspired by her senior, Ranjana (name changed) - another MS (communication) - student decided to take up a job so that she could be independent. Working as a supervisor in a technology firm for the last two years, this pretty young thing was hesitant about taking money from her parents. “I don’t like the idea of asking my parents for money, whether it’s paying college fees or buying stuff for myself. Today, I am able to buy whatever I want,” she says. Ranjana also funds her maid’s daughter’s education. Ranjana works for three hours every day after college earning a neat Rs 8,000 monthly. Her parents were against her decision to work. However, after much coaxing, she convinced them. “They were worried that work might affect academics . Luckily, I secured first class in my graduation, besides doing other certificate programmes ,” she says. Though she finds the balancing act difficult and quite hectic, Ranjana says it’s worth the effort as she doesn’t want to carry the “guilt of spending her father’s money”. Others like Priyanka Chatterjee, an MBA student from Presidency College, took up a job to meet her expenses. Her schedule not only forces her to forgo her social life but her sleep as well.” By the time I come home it is 5 am and then I have to study for my exams and finish off with assignments. The worst would be on days when I have classes, as I have to rush to college by 7.30 am. I barely get time to sleep,” she says. Soon after graduation in 2007, she worked for a year in a BPO and later moved to a financial firm. The salary earned is used for paying her fees and her bank loan, besides her own expenses.