Part-time time-pass?

Working while studying!'' was the charged reaction that I got when I asked some collegians their opinion about the topic. But the express...

Working while studying!8221; was the charged reaction that I got when I asked some collegians their opinion about the topic. But the expressions and tones accompanying the exclamation were varied.

8220;A part-time job really does wonders. One gets to know about people, business and professionalism,8221; says Amit who works in Denim Junction.

But not many collegians share his enthusiasm. 8220;Come on yaar, this is the time to study and enjoy. Later on we8217;ll have to work anyway, so why get into the rut now?8221; argues Ravi. Maybe he8217;s got a point there but then there is a limit to enjoyment. Bunking lectures, gossiping, frequenting movies and pubs shouldn8217;t become the only definition of teenage life. At this age when energy levels are at their peak, shouldn8217;t we do something more resourceful than idling away our time?

OK, OK, I8217;m not being grandmotherly with my shoulds and should nots8217;. I agree that a little TP time pass is necessary, but too much of it does become boring, and what a waste of time .

Says Cheryl, a FYBA student, who8217;s been working as a sales girl for three years, 8220;I love my work and just can8217;t imagine doing TP. I love to meet people and besides it8217;s a great way to earn some extra bucks. There is nothing like being financially independent in the pocket money field. After all, our parents provide for all our needs and the least we can do is save them the hassle of catering to our frills and fancies. There may be so many extra things like birthday gifts, cards, movies, eats or just some jazzy accessories and stuff that I may wish to indulge in, but I wouldn8217;t like to pester my parents for them.8221;

But Ritu does not agree with this as she goes on the explain that her parents fulfill all her wants and all she has to do is ask for something. She emphasises that academics is what she8217;s expected to concentrate on.

It8217;s not just frivolous things that youngsters always spend their cash on. There are so many who even pay for their own fees or do extra courses with it. And what about the fact that occasionally you can even buy something for the home? Isn8217;t that a great feeling too? If you8217;re able to balance studies and job properly, then there8217;s no problem.

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Working and studying teaches us a great deal about time management. One also tends to get a lot of exposure to different people, besides learning to handle different situations. I think meeting such a wide class of people really acquaints one to the colours of the world. You8217;re out there and know the real picture, not an ice-candy one. So when you face the big big bad world, you8217;re prepared to accept the reality.

Even some of the famous personalities like Shania Twain and Om Puri learnt the basics of their respective professions from the part-time jobs that they did during their teenage years. The former worked at MacDonald as a cashier at the age of 14. The work taught her to be meticulous, patient and particular, qualities which later helped her succeed in showbiz. Om Puri, an actor whose intense performance mesmeries everyone, learnt the importance of thorough preparation and hard work when he started taking tuition at the age of 15.

Well like everything, part-time jobs have their negative and positive aspects. Some are in favour of it, while some are against this trend. But if you ask me, I8217;ll say there8217;s more to gain than lose and I am happy to say, 8220;I8217;m a working girl.8221;