The Summer Job

For 21-year old Naman Shah,a sweltering May morning will be spent well at his friend’s dairy farm. Shah will assist his friend in setting it up and thus will eventually perfect his marketing skills. “I always like being trained on the job as it brings one face-to-face with many realities which our college books do not provide or prepare us for,” says Naman,who is pursuing a diploma in banking and finance. Naman’s previous summer job was as a sales assistant at a cycle shop in Tilak Road. In a month’s time,he sold 50 bicycles and earned enough pocket money. “I felt good about selling a bicycle. It would add to my monthly incentives as well,” he adds. This youngster now wishes to go for higher studies and he hopes his summer will add to his work experience.

Like Naman,19-year-old Rudraya Gupta,a first year student of MIT Institute of Design,Loni,will assist a graphic designer back in his hometown during the summer vacations. “I want to learn the basics of Corel Draw,Photoshop and Illustrator as I have to constantly work on projects using these softwares. It will help me understand my subject better,” says Rudraya.

Another young student – Chhavi Malik – will spend her summer holidays training children at several workshops conducted by NGOs in Delhi. A Women’s Studies student,Chhavi says,“I do not want to while away my time during the vacations. Being with children is fun and rejuvenating at the same time.”

Concepts,an event management forum of youngsters,will send 50 volunteers to Akanksha Foundation,an organisation where children from low income groups receive formal education in English. “We have volunteers who participate in remedial work,events,field trips and summer camps. They bring in a positive energy and also values that we cherish,” says Anandhi Yagnaraman,head of Pune operations of Akanksha Foundation.

Despite a host of internship opportunities provided by colleges,these youngsters choose to stick to companies which interest them. Sahil Shroff (22) has already begun working as a software developer for a city-based IT firm. “Choosing a summer job acquaints students with the know-how of a company. It also gives one a better knowledge of the industry as a whole,” says Sahil,a final year engineering student.