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Young and independent

They study by day and work in the evenings. The number of youngsters working part-time is on the rise in the city, writes Anasuya Menon

PHOTO: K. ANANTHAN

WORKING HARD For a taste of freedom

There is something more to the coffee bars and fast food joints in the city than their snazzy interiors and fancy food. It is in these hangouts that a lot of students find lucrative part-time jobs. Dressed in smart uniforms, they breeze their way through the crowd in the restaurants carrying food-trays and gracefully taking down orders.

They belong to a generation of confident youngsters who believe in earning a few bucks while continuing their academic pursuits.

They lead busy lives, shuttling between their colleges and jobs only to head back home with a fatter wallet.

From attending telephone calls to serving food and zipping up and down the city streets delivering pizzas, they enjoy every bit of their financial independence and are in perfect control of their lives.

Financially free

There is also an element of independence that comes with the money. "I am the master of my money," says Srimathi T.D., a student of Catering Science and Hotel Management at S.N.R Sons College, who used to work with a pizza major in the city.

"I didn't want to depend on my parents for my examination fees, and at times, I could even help my mom out with the money I earned," she says.

"I came across an advertisement in the newspaper seeking part-timers and applied. I saved all the money I earned in the first year and it was a great feeling to be independent," she says. Srimathi earned nearly Rs. 2,000 a month, a comfortable sum. In the second year, she was confident enough to occasionally splurge.

Learning early

However, it is not just the monetary aspect that appealed to her. The job also allowed her an opportunity to pick up the tricks of the trade.

"Being a catering student, I gained a lot of practical experience and I'm sure it will help me in the long run," Srimathi says.

For Senthil, a final-year catering science student, who works at yet another fast food joint in Coimbatore, the Rs. 2,000 he earns per month comes as a blessing for fuelling his two-wheeler and recharging his cell phone.

He works from seven in the evening till midnight and does not find it too hard to juggle work and studies.

"I make sure I set aside some time for studying before going to bed," he says.

While most of them help out at food joints and cafes, some are keen on carving a niche for themselves in areas that interest them. Like D. Lakshmi, who teaches yoga during her free time.

Her masters' programme in International Business is not a hindrance to pursuing her passion for yoga. She charges Rs. 1,000 for a 10-day course.

Having started the classes a week ago, she already has seven eager students.

"I have students of different ages and it's great fun interacting with them," she says. "And, above all, I can pay my hostel mess bills without having to depend on my parents."

The job is also a welcome change in her routine. Lakshmi strongly feels that students over 20 should make an effort to earn and meet their expenses.

Her yoga classes are held at Preanjali in Peelamedu. She also has plans of branching out to conduct classes in Bharatanatyam and English fluency.

"It actually adds variety to life," she says.

Youngsters doing part-time jobs while studying is a very common trend in the West, says R. Singaravelavan, Head of the Department of Catering Science and Hotel Management, SNR Sons College.

"We even have qualified Indian engineers working at food courts and petrol bunks abroad," he says.

"It is heartening to see that the conservative attitude of our people too has changed with time and parents are now encouraging children to take up jobs while studying," he adds.

But, it isn't a smooth sail for a few beginners. "I got a taste of an average customer's rudeness," Srimathi recounts.

And, that's another advantage of starting work at an early age, she says.

"You meet so many kinds of people that you learn how to deal with them."

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