Education

WORK TO LEARN

Part-time jobs can be an experience of a lifetime, by helping an individual to grow as well as earn. By Pooja Jain

Over the years, the concept of part-time jobs has undergone a change, as more and more students above 18 years of age, can be spotted working throughout the year, in fast-food joints, exhibitions, customer-care centres, direct marketing companies, to name a few. A correspondence student, Priya Kapoor says, “I am working part-time to explore different work areas and choose the right subject in my post-graduation.” An insight into the job market along with academics always works out to one’s advantage. Another student, Siddharth Gupta remarks, “Such jobs add weightage to one’s resume.” According to the principal, Springdales, Dhaula Kuan, Jyoti Bose, “Working part-time can be viwed as a step towards becoming an adult. All students should work, to know about the dignity of labour and should willingly perform all kinds of tasks. They should use work as a means to learn, rather than to earn.”

On the same lines, the HR Manager, Pizza Hut, Indian subcontinent, Sunanda Raman says, “Young people are enthusiastic and eager to learn. They offer flexibility, both to the employer as well as the employee.” Part-timers work out to be a better proposition for industries who require people on an assignment basis. Flexibility of time is the greatest advantage which such jobs offer. Students can work for four hours to 24 hours per week. The wages very with the type of job, industry and timings. In additions to this, part-time work instills confidence, provides experience, industry exposure as well as develops inter-personal and multi-disciplinary skills, in an individual. The youngsters have enough scope to make choices, learn, earn, grow and enhance their skills.” Communication and servicing the customer are qualities which students imbibe by working part-time. In companies, however, studying and working part-time has its share of disadvantages too, such as working on weekends, stress, lack of sleep and fatigue. A consultant psychiatrist, Samir Parikh says, “One shouldn’t work part-time at the cost of one’s health family life and social commitments. Academics should remain the preferred choice of students, even if they work part-time.